Emotion swells in my throat.
“It’s pretty neat. Mine’s better though,” Dario says, smug.
I whip my head toward him—and gasp. Above his heart is a tiny pumpkin with my name curled around it. The delicate lines are soft and almost whimsical.
“You have my heart,” he says, voice tender. “You’re a force to be reckoned with, but always my pumpkin.
I step back, eyes darting to Keir, and sure enough, ink blooms over his heart too. A gothic-style princess crown with my name woven beneath it.
He takes my hands. “You have my heart. I never dreamed I’d be able to find someone like you.”
And just like that, I’m crying again. Overwhelmed. Full.
Keir gently spins me around. All three of them kneel before me, and Keir pulls out a small box.
“Be strong. Be independent. Be brave. Kick some ass,” he says, opening the lid.
Inside is the most beautiful ring I’ve ever seen—an onyx coffin-cut diamond surrounded by white diamonds on a silver band.
“But let us love you,” Kaz adds.
“Let us lend you our strength,” Dario says.
“Let us be your everything, as you are ours,” Keir finishes.
I take a breath and pretend to hesitate—just to tease them. They all tense, and I bite back a laugh.
“I never thought I’d have this—you,” I say. “But now that I do, I never want to let go. You’ve stolen my heart, my mind, my soul… and I don’t want them back. From this day to my last—yes. I will marry you.”
Keir slips the ring onto my finger, and they pull me into a tangle of muscle and warmth and joy.
“You had us there for a second, pumpkin,” Dario breathes.
“Well, I’ve got to keep you on your toes,” I smirk.
Laughter erupts around us—until my stomach grumbles, loud and unapologetic.
“Let’s feed you, Princess,” Keir says, lacing his fingers through mine.
We head back inside. I throw on sweats, brush my teeth and hair, and find everyone in the kitchen. Lily’s the first to spot me.
“Oh my God!” she squeals, racing over. “Let me see the ring!”
She grabs my hand, and her eyes go wide. “Holy shit, it’s gorgeous.”
“They did good,” I say with a proud smile.
Katherine hurries over too. “Wow. How does that suit you so perfectly?”
I glance at my guys. “Because they see me.”
Max catches my eye and tilts his head toward the back patio. I nod and follow him out the French doors, cheeks flushing at the memory of last night.
“You happy?” he asks quietly.
“I am. I wish Dad was here, but…” I shrug.
Max pulls me into a hug. “He’d be proud of you.”
