“Miss Beckington, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” Zak kissed both my cheeks in greeting, making heat spread up my chest. Duncan growled while I fought the urge to roll my eyes.
In my ear, he whispered, “Your blush is only for me, Sunshine.”
“Jesus, it’s not like I can help it.”
“Daddy, dat guy’s almost as big as you.”
“Never, baby girl. Daddy is always the biggest.” He picked her up, settling her on his hip. “Are you ready?”
“Yes.”
“Rogan, do you have what I need?”
“Yes, sir.” He patted his pants pocket.
Meanwhile, I had no idea what they were talking about. Ready for what? Duncan and his team were about to leave on a mission so dangerous he enlisted the Russian Bratva to keep watch over his family. What were these three planning?
“What’s going on?”
“Can I get everyone’s attention please?”
He stepped back and winked. Then he dropped to one knee with our daughter on his hip, our son at his side, and all our friends in attendance. I couldn’t breathe.
“Sloane. I knew you were my soul mate the second you threw your attitude at me nine years ago. So much time was stolen from us, and I don’t want to waste any more. It’s always been you andwillalways be you. You’re my Sunshine, forever. Marry me.”
“Say yes, Momma.”
I shifted my gaze to Rogan, who was holding the most beautiful diamond ring I’d ever seen. Duncan took it from him, sliding it easily on my ring finger. Perfect fit.
“I haven’t said yes, yet.”
“I’m not giving you the opportunity to say no.”
“Okay, then. Yes.”
Duncan leaped to his feet, dipped me back, and kissed me while our friends and family cheered around us. I neverimagined we’d get engaged five minutes before he left on a mission he might not come back from. He’d better keep his promise.
“Tell us about Pru,” Jade asked some time after the agents left.
Jade’s brother, Jett, and Finn were playing tag with the twins in the backyard, while the rest of us watched from the deck. Zak mentioned Pru in passing a few times, never more than a word or two. It was obvious his feelings for her went well beyond his assistant.
“It’s complicated.”
“Welcome to our lives.” Henley spread her arms out wide. “My mother was killed by one of her johns, then I was targeted by a serial killer. Jade raised her little brother after her druggie parents took off. And you know Lanie and Sloane’s stories. We are one big complicated family around here. Spill it, mobster.”
“Shit, Henley.” Jade scrubbed her hand down her face. “I don’t think it’s wise to call the mobster a mobster to his face.”
“I’m not a bad mobster. You ladies know that, right?”
“Are there good mobsters?” I pursed my lips.
“Define good.” Kasimir broke his silent streak. “Zak and the rest of us live in the gray. We aren’t good, but we aren’t bad either. We’re somewhere in between.”
“That’s valuable information.” Henley clapped her hands together. “Now can we get back to you and Prudence?”
“There is no me and Pru.”
“But you want there to be,” I stated.