Lethal Temptations (Tempted #5)(120)

I don’t bring two bouquets anymore, and I don’t ask for extra baby’s breath either. I removed the old flowers and replaced them with the new bunch. Her name was visible, and that’s okay because it allows the world to know Christine Petra was a part of it, that she was here just for a short time but enough time to leave a mark.

She left a mark on me and will always have a spot in my heart.

“Hey babe,” I started, crouching down in front of the headstone and traced my thumb over her name. “So it’s not Saturday, but I thought we’d switch it up a bit,” I explained. “I’ve got something kind of big going down tonight and I couldn’t help but think about the first time I did what I’m about to do.”

I grinned, recalling the memory I used to hate revisiting.

“I was so goddamn nervous with you,” I confessed. “Maybe because we were so young and I had no f*cking idea what I was doing, what I was asking of you and what I was promising to be myself. I had no clue what it took to make it work or how hard it sometimes could be, I thought it was the next step for us and so it seemed right. I’m glad I did. I’m glad you said yes and let me put that ring on your finger. It was good, Chris, we were good for a while and when I think of you, I think of the good. No more bad memories, not anymore. Now, when I think of you I don’t think about the last time I saw you but of all the times before, when you were full of life…the times when you smiled. Your smile was the mark you left on this world and that’s how you should be remembered. So, that’s what I’m going to remember…your smile.”

I stood tall, pressed my finger tips to my lips and touched the top of her stone.

“Check in from time to time, stay with me, I’ll make you proud and maybe I’ll even make you smile from time to time.”

I dropped my hand and shoved both of them into my pockets as I stared down at her name one final time.

“Rest easy, girl.” I whispered before turning around and heading back to my bike.

One more stop.

And then it was game time.

Time to go all in and throw out the wild card.

I made my way to the Dog Pound and spotted Jack leaning against his Harley smoking a cigarette. I pulled up next to him and killed my engine before I turned and met his stare.

“You’re late,” he grunted.

“No, I’m not,” I argued, throwing my leg over my bike.

“Well, what the hell is the big emergency?” He growled, flicking his cigarette into the street.

“And here I thought you’d be happy to see my face,” I quipped.

I reached into my pocket, pulled out a box and dropped it from one hand into another, repeating the move over and over as I tried to figure out what the f*ck to say to the man who was my brother.

I’m not going to lie and tell you things aren’t different between me and Jack. I’m no long his friend, his vice president and his partner. I’m the man he trusts with his daughter, not just her safety, not just her life, but her heart.

It took some getting used to.

There were lines drawn in the sand.

But in the end, Jack knew I loved Lacey more than anything.

He respected that.

And he took a step back.

Now it was my turn to show him the respect.

“Whatcha got there, Black?” He questioned, blowing out a deep breath as he stared at the tiny box in my hand.

I lifted my eyes to his as I extended my hand and offered him the box.

“Shit,” he muttered, taking the box from my hands and lifted his eyes back to mine. “Is this what I think it is?”

I nodded as I crossed my arms against my chest.

“Open it,” I urged.

He glanced down at the box in his hands and hesitated a moment before he snapped it open and drew in a deep breath.

“I love her, Jack but you already know that. I want to marry her. I want to give her my name but I won’t do that without your blessing.”

I watched as he closed the box and looked back at me.

“There isn’t a goddamn thing on this earth I wouldn’t do for her. I’ll take good care of her. I’ll give her whatever she wants and I’ll make sure she— “

“Shut up,” he interrupted, handing me back the box. “You don’t have to plead your case to me, Black.”

He ran his hand over his head.

“At least you’ll make an honest woman out of her,” he grunted, reminding me how much it burned his ass that Lacey moved in with me as soon as I got released from prison.

He sighed, reached out and grabbed my shoulder.

“Real happy for you, Black. It took me a while to get over that it’s Lacey that makes you happy,” he admitted. “You’ll understand one day, when you have kids of your own. They get under you man, they make your heart so big and so full you don’t know how you ever lived without them.” He swallowed, took a second and then continued.

“You got my blessing.”

“I was going to do it with or without it,” I joked.

“I hope you have ten daughters,” he spat.

“I hope so too,” I said, grinning as I pocketed the ring and stared back at him.

“See you on the other side, brother,” he rasped, leaning back against his bike. “Go on, go get your girl.”