Redemption Road (Vicious Cycle #2)(77)

Kim grinned. “Of course. Especially since you decided to come home on the night of our annual Christmas party.”

I laughed. “Lucky me that I didn’t keep Rev gone another day.”

Sweeping a hand to her hip, she said, “Yeah, about the trip home, missy. It doesn’t usually take over a day. Just what caused you all to be so late?”

As I spooned up some lasagna, I couldn’t fight the warmth spreading across my cheeks. “We just had to stop a lot because it was so cold,” I finally answered.

“Mmm-hmm. I bet I can imagine just what kind of warming up went on, too.”

“Easy there, Kim,” Rev cautioned.

She grinned. “Like I couldn’t tell you’d been f*cking nonstop from the utterly satisfied looks on your faces.”

While it was totally mortifying to have our sex life discussed, there was also a grateful feeling that accompanied it. No one was treating me with kid gloves or walking on eggshells when it came to the topic of sex. That meant I was no longer seen as just a victim, and that was certainly liberating.

As we ate dinner, we talked with different in- and out-of-town members who came by our table. Everyone was in the festive holiday spirit. I couldn’t help thinking how different this party was from my parents’ party.

At the thought of them, I wrinkled my nose. When I had spoken to them the other day, they had been utterly horrified at what I had done. Regardless of how they chided me, I was not about to change my mind about my decision. Even though they threw out words like “disinheriting” and “disown,” they forgot I was just months away from my twenty-fifth birthday, when I would receive my inheritance from my grandfather. When I had told Rev about the half million dollars coming to me, he had nearly fallen off the bed in shock. While the money meant security for us, it would have no value to me without Rev in my life.

When the band shifted to a slow love song, Rev took my hand. “I think I owe you a real dance.”

“What do you mean?”

“That night when we got drunk together, we danced in my room.”

At first my eyes widened at his words, and then the memory came back to me. “I remember that,” I murmured.

Rev smiled as he wrapped his arms around my waist, drawing me flush against him. I would never get enough of being this close to him, especially being able to press my ear against his chest and listen to his heartbeat. “I love you,” I said loud enough for him to hear me over the music.

“I love you, too. I know this all seems to be happening very fast—”

I shook my head. “We built a strong foundation for it the month we were together.”

He smiled. “I agree. With that said, it’s been a whirlwind of a couple of days. But it still doesn’t keep me from wanting to do this.”

I stared dumbfounded at him as he pulled away from me. When he sank onto one knee, I began trembling all over. In times past, though, I had trembled with fear and anxiety, but now I felt a wonderful sense of anticipation. Whistles and catcalls went up around the room. The roar of Rev’s brothers became so loud it almost deafened me.

After digging into his pocket, he produced a glittering diamond. “Annabel Lee Percy, would you make me the happiest man alive by marrying me?”

“Get it, Rev!” Bishop shouted.

“Oh my God,” I whispered.

“That’s not quite the response I was hoping for,” Rev mused.

I licked my suddenly dry lips. “Are you really sure about this?”

“I think this fat diamond should illustrate how very certain I am.”

“It’s just so . . .”

“Sudden?”

I nodded. “A little.”

“I bought the ring before I went to Virginia because I knew if you accepted my apology, there was no one else in the world I wanted to share my life with. And while we could live together, I’m an old-fashioned guy and would prefer you to be my wife.”

“That’s understandable,” I murmured breathlessly. Staring into his earnest dark eyes, I couldn’t help feeling totally undeserving of him. “Even with all of my baggage?”

Rev smiled. “We both have baggage. I’ll help you carry yours, and you can help carry mine. How does that sound?”

The tears that flooded my eyes caused his image to grow wavy before me. Even though it was sudden, I couldn’t fathom loving Rev any more than I did at this moment. He had been it for me since he had bared his soul to me that day in the hospital bathroom. He had spent nights by my side giving me the strength of his silent comfort. He had spent countless hours talking with me, laughing with me, and offering me a depth of friendship I had never experienced before with anyone—male or female. He had given me the greatest gift anyone ever could by bringing me into his blood and MC family, which set me on the path of the healing and acceptance I so desperately needed.

I had spent four miserable, heart-wrenching months without him, so I knew I wanted to be with him for the rest of my life. He was my heart, mind, and soul.

“Yes. My answer is yes.”

Rev beamed before slipping the ring on my finger. I jumped into his arms to bestow kisses all over his face and neck. I was once again rushed by Rev’s brothers and their families. Pitchers of beer, rather than champagne, appeared for us to toast with. Everyone was genuinely happy for us, especially Rev’s blood family.