Chapter 12
Renee
Liam has been insanely possessive of me since he came home last night. I wasn’t sure why until I heard reports on the news that he had been part of a sting operation.
I held out the kitchen knife that I was using to cut the veggies. “Is there something you forgot to tell me about, say, in the past twenty-four hours?”
“Yeah, I may have left that part out. Please put the knife down, and I’ll get to that.”
“You better. Trust is a big deal. You want me to trust you, then you can’t be hiding shit from me.”
“Sorry, Renee. I didn’t want to upset you.” I twist my lips at him, waiting for him to continue. “I went to the police like I told you with the information Duke was able to gather for me. He managed to find out that Cherry had been married to my father’s lawyer only months before she ‘met’ my dad. It was a scam from the start. I guess that neither of them expected my father to be potent at his age.”
“That’s dumb,” I remark offhandedly, going back to my chopping.
“Well, they weren’t the best of criminals. Apparently, my dad wasn’t the first to be swindled, but he was the first to demand marriage before handing over his life savings. So I took it to the cops. They suggested I confront her about Max and see if she’ll incriminate herself in just the abandonment issue, but things got out of hand pretty quickly. She was apprehended, and I got it all on tape.”
“I have a feeling you’re leaving something significant out.”
He mutters something that I can’t make out. All I can understand is “gun.” I gasp and blanch when he adds, “I didn’t get shot, so there’s nothing to get mad about.” I set the knife on the cutting board and rushed over to him. I’m freaking out. I know he’s all fine and good, but he might not be here today if things had been slightly different. I throw my arms around him and cry. I can’t believe that our ending could have been so soon.
“It’s okay, baby. I’m fine. I’m not going anywhere,” he promises, kissing my face and down to my lips. He growls and lifts me into his arms, carrying me off to the bedroom. I’m tossing off my top as my back hits the bed. I’m so glad that Max just started his nap. Liam doesn’t waste time taking off all his clothes. He pulls down my shorts and panties, then unleashes himself from his pants and thrusts home.
Afterward, I’m wrapped up in his arms when he sits up, dragging me with him. He’s staring at me intensely, and I’m starting to worry. “I love you, Renee. You’re my everything.”
I smile widely, and before I can respond, he pulls something from the drawer. “Will you make an honest man out of me?”
“You’re already an honest man,” I say, pausing long enough to get control of my thoughts. “I love you, Liam. You’re everything I could have ever hoped for. Yes. I’ll marry you.” He slips a beautiful heart-shaped diamond ring on my finger. It fits perfectly. “Wow, it’s so stunning.”
“I wanted something worthy of your beauty.” I throw my arms around him and kiss him wildly, leading to a round of celebratory sex.