Chapter 42
Maddox
“Is Nathan okay?” I ask Mason, when he meets us at the hospital.
He nods, running a hand over his chin. “Yeah. The same can’t be said for one David Grafton, though.”
“Who the fuck is David Grafton?”
Mason chuckles. “He’s Fallon’s other partner. Not a perverted fuck like the other one, just your average criminal asshole. His job was to hide in the bushes, watch for you, then collect the bag. It didn’t quite work out like that.”
I raise an eyebrow and ask him what happened instead, because he’s clearly deeply amused by it.
“When he realized he’d been tricked, he tried to run. And then he kicked Mikey Ryan in the balls.”
Ouch. For both of them. I can’t imagine Dave is able to walk or even speak after that stunt. But I ask no more questions. It’s another thing I decide I don’t want the answer to.
“How’s our girl? Can I see her?” he asks, gesturing to the private room where Ellie is resting.
I smile. “She’s good, all things considered. Her scans all came back clear, no permanent damage. She’s going to be fine. But no, Mase, you can’t see her. Not yet. There’s something I’ve got to do first. A question I’ve got to ask her.”
He grins and punches me in the shoulder. I pretend he’s hurt me and grin back. “Am I doing the right thing?”
“I think so, bro. But ask me again in ten minutes.” He flashes me a wink. “Good luck.”
I knock quietly on her door, just in case she’s asleep.
She’s not. Her curly hair is wild on the pillows, and her cuts and bruises have been treated with stitches and tape.
Her eyes are still magical as she turns them on me, though, and her smile fills my heart.
“Hey,” she says, her voice still croaky.
“Hey yourself, baby. How are you feeling?”
She tries to sit up, and I rush over to help her, settling her on her pillows and making sure she’s comfortable.
“I’m okay, Mad. And I’m not sad he’s gone.
Keres has wanted to deal with him for years, as you can imagine.
I always…I don’t know. I guess part of me just thought ‘he’s my dad’ and wanted to move past it?
Forgive him even? I don’t like to give up hope on anybody. ”
Tears shine in her eyes. I take hold of her hand, turn it over, and kiss her palm. “I know baby. And that’s one of the things I love about you. Your generous spirit. But sometimes…”
She lets out a little laugh. “Yeah. I know. Sometimes, it seems, the only solution to a problem is ripping it to shreds. Literally. I couldn’t live with him being in our world, Mad. Especially after he threatened you.”
“About that, baby—”
“No.” She shakes her head. “I love you, Maddox, and I would do anything to protect you. I know what I did was a little reckless…”
I arch an eyebrow. “A little?”
Her cheeks flush with color, and it’s fucking adorable. “Okay, a lot. But don’t tell me you wouldn’t have done the same thing if it were me at risk?”
I absolutely cannot tell her that because I would die to keep her safe. “I get your instinct to protect me, and I love that you do, but I want you to promise that you will never put yourself at risk like that again for me.”
She presses her lips together.
“Baby?”
Still nothing.
“Fallon had nothing on me, El. And even if he had, we would have handled it.”
“I couldn’t take that risk, Maddox. I don’t think you realize that I couldn’t live without you.”
“The feeling is mutual, baby.” I lean over and kiss her right cheek. It’s one of the only parts of her face that isn’t battered.
She grimaces. “I bet I look like the Bride of Frankenstein.”
“You look beautiful, just like you always do.”
That makes her crack a smile, but then all too quickly, tears fill her eyes. “I am sorry that I lied to you, and that I caused you so much worry and trouble. That I snuck away from you like that. I’m sorry I almost lost you.”
Tears are spilling down her cheeks now, and her fingers are trembling in mine. “Baby, please don’t apologize, for anything. You’re worth any amount of trouble. I will fight for you and our happiness until the day I fucking die, you do understand that don’t you?”
Her lip tremors. She gives me a small nod. I can tell she’s still worried, and I have what I hope is the perfect way to reassure her. I drop down onto one knee, wincing slightly at the pain in my hip. Fallon got in some cheap shots before I brought him down.
Her eyes go wide, and she frowns, shuffling even higher up the bed. “Maddox, what are you doing?”
I slide my hand into my pocket, producing the only ring I could come up with at such short notice. It’s neon pink plastic and decorated with a pony. Her hands fly to her mouth, and she lets out a gasp. I hope it’s a happy gasp, not a “what the fuck is he thinking?” gasp.
“Ellie Madison, you are the love of my life. The light in my darkness. My rock, my angel, my Goddess. Wherever you are is home, Ellie, and I want to be home for the rest of eternity. Please, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
She stares at me. Then at the ring I’m holding out. The wait is agonizing. Does she have doubts? I was sure she felt the same.
“Are you sure, Maddox?” she asks quietly. “This isn’t just a knee-jerk response to what happened?”
“Yes, I’m sure, and no, it’s not a knee-jerk reaction. I was planning on doing this before you sent me on a wild Cherry Garcia goose chase.”
She licks her lips and makes a soft moaning sound. “Please tell me you at least put it in the freezer.”
“Did not. It will be in a sticky puddle on the floor by the time we get home.”
She giggles, her eyes drifting to the ring again.
She still hasn’t given me an answer. Maybe it is too soon.
“I love you, Ellie, whether you say yes or no, or not right now. It’s okay.
I can wait. I’m probably being a jackass, doing this while you’re lying in a hospital bed coming to terms with everything that happened over the last few days.
” Even as I say it, I feel like an asshole.
Why didn’t I hold off? Let her recover and then buy a proper fucking ring, at least.
She reaches out and strokes my cheek. Then she gives me the world’s sweetest smile, one that melts me entirely.
“Maddox, my answer is yes. Yes, with every fiber of my being. I love you, so much. So yes. Absolutely one hundred percent, yes. Now give me a kiss and put that gorgeous pony ring on my finger.”
I experience one of the purest moments of joy I have ever known in my entire life.
This woman, this incredible woman, wants to be mine.
I scramble up and kiss her as gently and carefully as I can.
I still feel the heat between us, despite the circumstances.
When I pull back, the fire in her eyes tells me she feels it too, split lip and stitches aside.
“Hold that thought, big guy,” she says, winking.
I perch at the side of the bed and slide the ring onto her finger. She holds it up, admiring it from all angles like it’s the fucking Hope Diamond.
“I’m sorry about the ring. It was in the gift shop, in the kids’ section. If it’s any consolation, I do also have a matching pink pony necklace and some clip-on earrings.”
She laughs, and it’s a beautiful sound. “It’s perfect, Mad. Anyway, it’s not the ring I care about, you know that. It’s what it means.”
I do know that. But I also know that as soon as possible, I will be replacing that clunky plastic with something far more appropriate. “Are you up to a few visitors?” I ask.
She nods enthusiastically. “Yes. Especially if they bring candy.”
I go to the door and find that Mason is no longer alone. They’re all here. My brothers, their wives, King, and my dad. All looking at me expectantly. I guess Mase couldn’t keep the news to himself. I usher them all inside, and they crowd out the small room.
“Family,” I announce proudly. “She said yes.”