Chapter 22
Hannah
I’m on edge as I wait for Brooks to show up at my house. He should be here any minute. I stand, needing to move. Jess and Matt showed up at ten on the dot, and I was at my house thirty minutes later. Before I left, both Matt and Gabe assured me I’d be fine, because there would be an officer patrolling my gated neighborhood. It honestly made me feel better, though I still didn’t sleep worth a crap, mostly because I kept thinking about Brooks. Today has been a similar struggle.
I’m about to sit when my doorbell rings. My heart pounds as I rush to the door, opening it. Brooks smiles down at me.
“Hey, gorgeous girl. I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you, too,” I admit. Stepping aside, I say, “Come in.”
He does, pulling his bag behind him. When the door closes, he spins to face me.
“Please say I can kiss you, Angel.”
I nod and his mouth is covering mine a moment later. We kiss like we haven’t seen each other in months. Maybe I’m wrong for allowing this, but I just can’t say no. Not when it comes to Brooks.
We finally pull away, both of us panting.
“We need to talk.”
“There’s something I need to tell you,” I say at the same time. My heart falls. “What do we need to talk about?”
“You first.”
“I’ll go first as long as you swear your news isn’t bad.” At his confused look, I say, “If you’re ending things with me, just do it now.”
“Fuck no. I meant what I said. I’m not letting you go, Angel. And the news isn’t bad. Not for us, at least.”
“Okay.” I exhale. “Senator Ryans knows about us.”
His eyebrows lift. “Walt Ryans?”
“That’s him.”
“I don’t understand.”
I motion for him to follow me to the living room because this is going to take a bit to explain, and I want to be comfortable. Once we’re seated, I tell him everything.
“I checked my recording system. He wasn’t kidding when he said I’d find nothing but static.”
Brooks has taken the news surprisingly well and says, “What I don’t understand is why he thinks you’re planning Grant’s wedding? Grant isn’t seeing anyone, and, even if he were, he’d have to get it approved by the Elite Members first.”
I crinkle my nose. “That’s such a barbaric and antiquated rule, by the way.”
“Agreed.”
“As an Elite Member, is that something you can change?”
“Funny you should mention it, because, yes, I can change it.”
There’s a gleam in his blue eyes that has me smiling.
“Brooks?”
“Yes, Angel?”
“What are you up to?”
“Well, I guess it’s my turn to speak.” He stands. “I saw Grant Carter in DC a few days ago. He gave me some advice that made a lot of fucking sense, which I’m sure he’ll never let me live down.”
“Advice?”
“On what I should do about you.”
“Me?”
He smiles. “Yes, you. That brings me to my confession. I arrived in Dallas last night.”
“Last night? Why didn’t you come see me then?”
“Because I had to get things ready. Ace and Isa helped.”
“Things? I don’t understand.”
He reaches into his pocket, pulling out a black velvet ring box. Slowly, he lowers to one knee, opening the box. Inside sits the most beautiful white diamond ring I’ve ever seen in my life.
“Hannah Lee Foster, I fucking love you. That’s it. That’s the speech. Except, it’s so much more than that. You’re my best friend. The other half to my soul. I was lost before I found you, lost when I let you go, and I don’t want to spend another moment without you by my side.” He reaches for my hand. “I vow that you will be my number one. No one will come between us ever again. Together, we will push each other to be the best that we can be.”
I wipe at my eyes. “You’re saying everything I want to hear, but what if it’s not enough? What if the Brotherhood decides that we shouldn’t be together? I can’t do that again, Brooks. I won’t.”
“Neither will I, Angel. You and me? We’re for life. No one is going to come between us. So, will you marry me?”
“Yes, I’ll marry you.”
He slides the ring onto my finger. The crazy thing? It feels like it’s meant to be there. Like, I feel complete somehow.
“I love you, Hannah. So fucking much.”
“I love you, too, Brooks.”
I think he’s about to kiss me. What I’m not expecting is for him to stand, pulling me to my feet.
“Come on, Angel. We need to go.”
“Go?”
“Yes.”
“And where are we going?”
He gives me a megawatt smile.
“To our wedding.”