No Limit (Armed & Dangerous #1)(66)

“Something bad happened at Second Street. I got a call saying they needed backup.”

I froze and looked down at my dress. “I can’t go in this. Let me change really fast.”

He grabbed my hand and pulled me out the door. “No time. I got your gun and badge, that’s all you need.”

We jumped in his car and sped out of the driveway. “Who called you?”

“One of the guys from the PD. Apparently, it’s something they can’t handle.”

“That makes no sense. They’ve handled plenty of cases without you. Besides, don’t they know we’re on vacation?”

He scoffed. “Like they care. Whatever it is, we’ll get it handled and have the rest of the night to ourselves.”

One thing I’d learned about Jason was that he was completely dedicated to the force and to solving crimes. It was one of the things I loved about him. After I moved, the bureau transferred me to another government lab based in Charlotte where I could continue to experiment. The serum turned out to be a huge success and the bureau wanted me to come up with a truth serum for interrogations. I couldn’t wait to get started. When we pulled up to the Second Street Bar, there were police cars everywhere.

“Holy shit, what in the world’s going on?” I exclaimed.

Jason slammed on his brakes and jumped out of the car. “I don’t know, but I’m going in.”

“Dammit, wait on me!” Gun in hand, I jumped out of the car and rushed inside, only to come to a freezing halt.

“Somebody might want to take her gun before she turns it on Avery,” someone yelled. The crowd bellowed.

Looking around, I found Jason standing in the middle of the crowd with a mischievous smile splayed across his lips. Everyone was there, including my uncle, Diane, and even Adrian with his fiancé.

Luke, Jason’s best friend, walked up to me cautiously. I had the pleasure of meeting him the day Jason brought me to Charlotte. He was definitely a ladies man with his charming smile and tousled blond hair. “Mind if I take your gun? I don’t want you shooting my best friend.”

I gave it to him and glanced at the people around the room before focusing on Jason.

Stepping forward, he took my hand. “Come on.” He hopped up on a table and pulled me with him.

“Jason, what are you doing?”

The crowd gathered around and Diane was crying when I looked at her. What the hell was going on? Jason held up his hand and waved the crowd to silence. “Everyone, if I could have your attention. As you all know, this lovely firecracker has been here with me for six months now. I know that might not seem like a long time to some, but what we’ve been through surmounts any length of time. She started off as a pain in my ass—”

“Hey, look who’s talking,” I griped, smacking him on the arm; everyone laughed.

He pulled me close and kissed me. “Okay, so we were both pain in the asses. What I’m trying to say is, you’re my partner in more ways than one. I’ve trusted you with my life and you’ve never let me down. With that being said,” he murmured, getting on one knee. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a shimmering diamond ring.

Gasping, I smacked a hand over my mouth. “Oh my goodness.”

Sliding the ring on my finger, he kept his green gaze on mine. “I love you, Aylee McFadden. I may drive you insane sometimes, but I hope you can see past my faults and go on this next adventure with me. Please say you’ll marry me.”

I pulled him up and jumped in his arms. “Yes!” I cried. The crowd cheered and I held him tight. “I love you so much.”

He chuckled. “You say that now, just wait until we’re eighty. You’ll probably kill me by then.”

“All right, you two, the fun isn’t over yet,” Diane called, waving her hands at us. “I have something to give you.”

Jason jumped down and helped me off the table, straight into my uncle’s arms. “I’m so happy for you, peanut. Promise me you’ll bring the grandbabies to visit.”

“Uncle G that’s not happening any time soon,” I laughed.

Diane ruffled my hair and whispered in my ear, “I’m sure it’ll happen sooner than you expect. Hopefully, they’ll take after their mother.”

“I heard that,” Jason grumbled.

She smiled at us both. “I have you both an engagement present. I know you’re taking some time off, so it’ll be perfect timing.” Reaching into her bag, she pulled out a large envelope and handed it to me.

When I opened it and took a look inside, my eyes started to burn. “Diane, this is amazing. I can’t believe you’d do this.” Inside the envelope was an all-expense paid trip to Ireland.

“You’ve told me how you wanted to connect with your mother’s relatives, so I thought it’d be the perfect present. You can see the land and visit your family. It’s so beautiful there.”

Wrapping my arms around her, I squeezed her tight and let go. “Thank you. This means a lot, really.”

“You’re welcome. You and Jason could use the vacation.”

“That we could,” he said, giving her a hug. “I thought she was going to kill me when I told her we got called in.”

Diane laughed. “I can imagine. I hope you two have fun. Make sure to take lots of pictures.” She winked at me and then joined her husband who was talking to a group of Carolina Cougars. Jason and his famous friends . . .