52. Lauren
52
Lauren
Three Weeks Later
“Uh-Uh. Don’t even think about it. I’m going to kick your ass if you even try.”
Gabriel laughs on the other end of the call as I push my office door open. “That threat might be effective three weeks from now when that leg is good as new.”
“I have another leg, genius,” I laugh back. “It might not be the dominant one, but it can do some damage.”
Closing the door behind me, I hobble to my chair, the crosspiece of the crutch pressing against my armpit. I hate this thing, but it was either this or a wheelchair. I rest it against the wall as I drop into my chair.
“Seriously though, you should consider letting me hire another guard now that they’ve finally announced the trial date. We don’t know if Bianchi has any other influence on the streets,” Gabriel says.
“You’re right, but two guards are enough, I think. I already agreed to Andrew getting a partner. It’s overwhelming enough having them both around me all the time. Adding a third man, that’s way too much. ”
“We could hire a woman then,” he suggests.
“While that is lovely for female empowerment, it will suffocate me either way. Andrew and Jason have been doing a solid job. We don’t need to change anything.”
He goes silent for a moment. I prepare for a counter argument, but then he sighs. “You might be right.”
“I am.”
“For now. If you ever feel that has changed, please consider what I said.”
“Okie dokes,” I reply before he hangs up.
As I rest the phone down, an incoming message pops up on the screen. My heart skips a beat as I read the details with a smile.
Happy first day back at the office! Marcus’ message reads. Don’t overwork yourself, remember to take those meds, and get your ass home by five! You still need rest.
Okay, Boss, I reply.
The smile fades as I put the phone back down. It’s bittersweet. Marcus and I are finally in a place where we can have friendly conversations and joke around, yet there has been a void between us since that night.
I love you. I’m in love with you.
Breathing a sigh, I flip my laptop open. Marcus meant every word. I know that. I felt it. Looking back on all those years, thinking of everything he has ever done for me, it wouldn’t surprise me if he’d loved me all along. He probably just didn’t realize it yet.
Suspecting that, I should be over the moon. Hearing the confirmation from his mouth, it should have me jumping for joy. The man I’ve been loving all these years loves me back. Finally. Yet, I feel nothing but fear.
A sudden knock on the door makes me glance up, and I press the button to get it open. Oliver saunters in, his iPad bouncing in the palm of his hand. “Can you spare a few minutes?” he asks .
I glance at the phone. “Ten, give or take,” I reply. I have a round of meds to take around noon.
He pulls back the chair in front of me and sits. “I want to run something by you before sending a circular to the R&D team.”
My brows lift, and I gape at him for a long beat before saying, “Me?”
“There’s no one else in this room, is there?” Without waiting for a reply, he turns the iPad toward me, and I peer down at what appears to be plants on the screen.
“What is this?”
“A potential new product line. Herbal hair and body care,” he explains.
I sit back as he explains the rationale, and while I think it’s a fantastic idea, one that could eventually reap great profits, I’m not impressed by that. What impresses me is this side to him I’ve never seen. A month ago, he would send the info to R&D before running it by me.
“What’s gotten into you?” I can’t help asking when we’re done.
Oliver frowns softly as he takes the iPad back from me. “Meaning?”
“This.” I point at the iPad. “It’s not like you to consult me about these things.”
His expression clears as he shrugs. “A tragedy can be an eye-opener sometimes, I guess. It makes you realize that life is way too short for grudges.” He stands. “Especially ones that are undeserved.”
He taps my desk then walks out. I suspect this is the closest I’ll get to an actual apology, and so long as he keeps the peace, I care about nothing more.
The rest of the day is a blur, and before I know it, the small hand on the clock inches toward five. I gather my things. Knowing Marcus, he’s going to call to ensure I actually leave on time. Andrew greets me at the door, and by the time we get to the car and join Jason, it’s five on the dot. My phone remains silent throughout the drive home. Maybe I don’t know Marcus as well as I think .
Finally, the car pulls up in front of my apartment, and I make the uncomfortable trek up the steps with Andrew guiding me. Music floats in my direction as the door slides open. With a frown, I hobble inside. My mouth falls open, and my entire body goes still.
For a moment, there’s absolutely no movement, just the sound of Boys to Men’s ‘On Bended Knees’ filling the air. Quite a fitting song, since Marcus is on one knee in the middle of my living room , a velvet box clutched in his hand.
I shake my head clear. “What the hell are you doing?”
He smiles and beckons. “Come closer, Lauren.”
Andrew releases his grip on my arm, reminding me of his presence. I hobble over the rose petals on the floor, inching closer to Marcus, hissing, “Have you lost your mind?”
“No. My faculties are very much in place,” he replies, still smiling as he stands. “Come on, let’s get you off your feet.”
He guides me to the couch and makes me sit, then gets back down as the front door closes behind Andrew.
“Marcus—”
He squeezes my thigh. “Just hear me out.”
The velvet box opens with a pop and I gasp, then I frown.
“What’s going on--?”
“Shh.”
He pulls out the two matching rings from the groove. Both metal black, one with a twisted band and huge diamond stone, the other embedded with jewels around the thick band.
“It took three weeks to get these custom-designed. This one is mine,” he says, twisting the thick band so I can read the engravement inside.
I chose you, Lauren Cain- Marcus.
“You’re something else,” I breathe, staring at it in wonder .
He puts it back in the box then lifts the other one. “I left it blank, thinking—hoping you’d want to add your personal message.”
I exhale deeply, my eyes stinging.
“Don’t run now. I’m not proposing to you,” he jokes then gets serious again as he twirls it. “At least, not yet. This ring is my heartfelt promise that I’d rather cut off a limb than hurt you in any way. It’s a promise to be honest and patient as you work on trusting me. Most importantly, I promise to love you until the wheels fall off.”
I sniffle, wiping my wet eyes. “And when they fall off, what are you going to do?”
“Lift that bad boy on my shoulders,” he replies, and I laugh.
My fingers run through his curly locks, and I stare at him fondly. “Did I ever tell you I love you?”
“Not with words.” His free hand strokes my thigh, and I catch his implied response.
“Nine years, Marcus. I’ve loved you for that long. I’d often imagined a day when you’d love me back. Even now, it still feels surreal.”
I take the ring from his hand, examining the stone, touched by the thought he put into this sincere gesture. I give it back to him and twist my finger. “I promise to work on my fear of being hurt. I promise not to use your past against you. Most importantly, I’m going to help you carry that bad boy when the wheels fall off.”
Marcus smiles. “The A-team, right?”
“The A-team,” I reply.
He slips the ring on, and I do the same for him. “We should probably give Gabriel a heads-up before he sees us wearing these,” he suggests, joining me on the couch. “I don’t want him kicking my ass for thinking I proposed without telling him. ”
“No, we certainly don’t want that.” Grinning, I run my hand down to the edge of his spine. “Especially when it’s such a beautiful ass.”
Marcus smirks, twisting to face me. “You think it’s beautiful?”
“Yes. Perfect,” I whisper, leaning in.
“Mhm. Tell me more.”
I draw my fingers down the side of his face, loving how his eyes darken when I mutter, “I’d rather show you.”
A sharp scream flies from my mouth when he suddenly lifts me, making a beeline for the stairs. “Oh, baby girl. Say no more.”