Forgiving Nancy (Last Hangman MC, #5)(77)

“I know you did, but guys don’t always keep their promises.” She shrugs.

“Well I do.” I smile and we both sit facing each other on the bench at the back of the gazebo.

“I can see that. So how come your family moved here?” she asks, fiddling with her fingers, looking nervous.

“They wanted a change I guess. I have to say that I’m finding it quite odd, fancy neighborhoods aren’t our usual scene.”

“You don’t say.” A sight smirk plays in the corner of her beautiful lips and I feel my heart skip a beat.

“Your parents don’t like us much, do they?”

“Now what would give you that impression?” She asks sarcastically.

“Hmmm, maybe it was the glares or maybe the fact that they called us criminals as soon as we got out of the moving truck?” I laugh because the situation is hilarious; their prim and proper daughter is secretly hanging out with a ‘criminal’ and they have no idea.

“Sorry about that, they are very judgmental.”

“Don’t apologize for them, it’s not your fault. You can’t help who your parents are.”

“I’m sure you’re a normal guy with a very interesting lifestyle.” She smiles and I’m a goner. With that one smile, she’s stolen my heart and I know I’m never getting it back.

“You never know, you could’ve taken after your parents.”

“Hell no! They forbade me to go anywhere near you but I wanted to hang out with you.”

“And look at the little rebel now, sitting here with the criminal after midnight. Aren’t you scared I’m going to attack you?” I smirk creepily but she just laughs at me. “So much for trying to scare you.”

“As I said earlier, I think you’re a total sweetheart, you can put on a tough man mask Bennett but I know what you’re like inside.”

“You sound very sure of yourself.”

“That’s because I am.” She shoulder bumps me and winks at me.

“Who knows what could happen between us? The sweet innocent girl and the criminal.”

“I hope something good,” she whispers softly.

“Things rough with your parents?”

“Yeah, they’re just so controlling and overprotective. Everything has to be their way and I feel like I’m constantly suffocating” She sighs.

“One day I’ll take you out of here and show you what you’re missing.” I smile and take hold of her hand.

“Oh, really?” She squeezes my hand.

“Really.” I promise and, kiss her hand.

“I love you,” she says and kisses me softly.

“I love you too.” I smile and kiss her back as I pull a small box out of my pocket. “I promised you a ring five years ago.” I open the box and turn it around to face her. Inside is my mother’s engagement ring. She gave it to me after Nancy disappeared, and told me that I’d need it as soon as I had her back, she knew I’d find her even when I had given up hope. It’s a simple silver band with a purple stone in the middle surrounded by small diamonds. It’s a very simple design but it’s stunning. She looks between me and the ring with a stunned expression on her face. “Erm…say something?” I smile nervously.

“I already said yes, remember?” She raises her eyebrow at me, a playful smirk on her lips.

“I know you did, but I was drunk and you never know, you could’ve changed your mind.”

“Never.” She holds out her left hand and I slip the ring onto her finger before kissing it.

“You’ve made me the happiest man alive in the history of the Earth, my Gorgeous Girl.”

“Soppy ass.” She kisses me and wraps her arms around my neck.

“You love my soppy ass. How about we celebrate in bed.”

“Sure, so you can tear one of your stitches and start bleeding again? Yeah, I don’t think so Mister.” She glares at me.

“Alright, spoilsport.” I frown and return to my food. I know she’s right, but I need to make her mine completely again.

I can’t believe I finally asked her to marry me. She’s mine forever and I’m hers. As f*cked up as things are, I’m f*cking over the moon that things happened the way they did. Who knows what would have happened had none of this took place. At least we have come out of this stronger and probably appreciate our relationship a lot more because we know what it’s like to live without each other and it is shit. I don’t know if her parents going to try and get her back or make her pay for what she did, but I will be their right beside her to protect her. I will never fail her again. We have our second chance and the rest of our lives to create more memories that replace the years we were without each other. I knew from the beginning that she would be my one and only, I just didn’t know how much shit we would have to go through to finally get here.





CHAPTER 33



Nancy

Today is the day.

The day that I finally free myself from the last thing that links me to my parents.

“Can we go to Callum’s?” I ask Bennett as we lie lazily next to each other on the couch.

“Why do you want to go see Callum?” He props himself up on his elbow and looks at me.