Chapter 26
BEX
What a difference twenty-four hours could make.
Many arrests had been made, and I didn’t need to worry about being the target of a criminal conspiracy anymore.
Even though Corbin kept talking as though I wasn’t going anywhere, I was a little worried about how our relationship would be impacted by me not needing to stay at his house to remain safe.
But he eased some of those fears when he told me to put on jeans and a jacket, along with my boots, on Wednesday night. Then he led me out to the garage. “Ride with me.”
“Sounds perfect.”
I took my helmet from him and swung onto the motorcycle behind him, wrapping my arms around his waist as the engine growled to life. We left the house and rode down winding roads, the wind pulling at my clothes and the last of the lingering tension unraveling with every mile.
I didn’t ask where we were going because I didn’t care. I was exactly where I wanted to be.
Eventually the bike slowed. He pulled off at a dark overlook above the valley, kicked the stand down, and cut the engine.
He held the motorcycle steady. “Off, baby.”
I swung my leg over and stood on the gravel. He followed, set both helmets on the seat, and joined me as I looked out at the smattering of lights below us. “It’s beautiful up here. Thanks for bringing me.”
“Fucking stunning.” Sliding his arm around my waist, he brushed a kiss against my temple.
I tilted my head back and found him staring at me instead of the view. Even after all we’d done in bed together, I blushed at the heat in his dark eyes. “How come you know better lookout spots than me? I’m the one who grew up here.”
“Studied the terrain, baby.”
“Uh-huh.” I had no doubt he’d scoured every inch of the land his club had claimed as their own. That was how he was wired.
We stared out at the view together for a few minutes. When he turned, I assumed he was ready to leave, but he opened the saddlebag instead to take out a folded piece of black leather.
He shook it out, and my breath caught in my lungs at the words stitched on the back.
PROPERTY OF CIPHER
“You brought me here to give me your property patch?” It was more romantic than I would’ve expected from him, which only made the moment even more special.
“I am.”
He turned me so my back faced his chest, guided my arms into the vest, and settled the leather over my shoulders. His hands smoothing the material into place, then he turned me back around.
I stared up at him, hyper aware of the weight of his name sitting across my back. “Corbin—”
“You’re mine. Now everyone else can see it too.”
It was as simple as that for him, which I loved.
Corbin kept one hand on my waist while he reached into the inner pocket of his cut with the other, pulling out a small black box.
“Oh my gosh,” I gasped
He opened it, and the ring inside caught what little light reached the overlook. A big emerald-cut diamond on a gold band, absolutely perfect and unmistakably permanent.
“The vest tells everyone you belong to me. The matching bands we’ll wear when you marry me will make it clear I’m yours too.”
I stared at the ring, then up at him, not making him wait for my answer. “Yes.”
The corner of his mouth curved the smallest amount. He took the ring out, slid it onto my finger, and then laced our hands together so the metal pressed between us.
“That’s it?” I asked, a little breathless. “No big speech?”
“You already know where I stand.” His thumb brushed over the band. “You’re mine. I’m yours. The rest is just paperwork that I could insert into the right systems myself if I didn’t know you wanted a wedding like Jacqueline had.”
I laughed softly before stretching up and kissing him. “Totally fair.”
The ride back felt different with his vest on my shoulders and ring on my finger. But in the best way possible.
When Corbin finally turned onto our road and the house came into view, a familiar vehicle was already parked in front of the porch.
My dad was there.
Corbin pulled up next to the Tahoe and shut the bike off. He steadied my waist while I swung off, then climbed off himself. I unclipped the helmet, the leather of the property vest shifting as I moved. Dad’s eyes went straight to the white lettering across my back, and his jaw tightened.
He climbed out of the truck slowly, his gaze moving from the vest to the ring on my hand, then to Corbin. “I came to help you pack your things.”
I bit my bottom lip, already recognizing his resigned tone, but Corbin started to answer. Dad held up a hand and stepped closer.
“I can see she’s staying.” He glared at Corbin. “So I’ll say this once. You hurt her, and there won’t be a hole deep enough—”
“Dad.”
Both men looked at me.
I planted myself between them, my hands going to my sides. “The territorial stare down thing stopped impressing me about three threats ago. I’m wearing his name on my back and his ring on my finger. I’m staying. We’re good.”
Dad let out a deep sigh and dragged a hand down his face. Some of the fight drained out of his posture, even if the protectiveness didn’t. “You’re sure?”
I beamed a smile at him. “I’m sure.”
He nodded, still not looking thrilled but accepting my decision. Then he pulled me into a tight hug. “Love you, kiddo.”
“Love you too, Dad.”
He stepped back and gave Corbin one last hard look that promised consequences if he ever failed me before getting in his Tahoe and leaving.
Corbin’s hand settled at the small of my back as we watched the taillights disappear. “Inside.”
I let him tug me into the house, glad that my dad seemed on board with me becoming Mrs. Corbin Ralston. Probably sooner than he’d like, but at least I didn’t have to worry about him not wanting to walk me down the aisle to the man I planned to spend the rest of my life with.
When he locked the door behind us, I turned to face him and let the boldness from the claims he’d laid on me tonight carry me.
“For a man who gets so bent out of shape about the word, you were quick to bring up breaking into government systems if I didn’t want a wedding.
Which is why you’re my favorite hacker.”
His eyes darkened as he backed me against the door, pinning me there with his body. One hand braced against the hard surface beside my head. The other slid up and locked around the nape of my neck, tilting my face up to his.
“I warned you what would happen if you kept using that word.”
Heat coursed through my veins, but I held his stare and let a smirk curve my mouth. “I don’t seem to remember you putting it quite like that. Maybe I need a reminder.”
A growl rumbled up his chest, and then he swept me into his arms to carry me toward the stairs.
“I’ll remind you,” he promised, moving fast up the steps. “All night if that’s what it takes.”
I wrapped my arms around his neck and laughed softly against his throat, the sound full of everything I felt.
The danger was over.
I was his.
And he was taking me to bed to make sure I didn’t forget it.