Marley didn’t give Dane time to respond. She continued telling him about her past and prayed he would be able to handle the truth like he said he could. “When I was seventeen, I got pregnant. I never thought about having an abortion; that’s not me. I screwed up, and I would deal with the consequences of my actions. I was a senior in high school, and it was late enough in the school year I could hide my pregnancy from everyone, including my parents. Or so I thought. When I kept getting sick each morning, my mother insisted on taking me to the doctor, but I broke down and told her the truth.

“Of course, my mother was disappointed, but she did what any good mother would do and got me in to see a doctor so I could get started on my prenatal vitamins. I begged her not to, but she told my father who was less than understanding. He stopped talking to me. He wouldn’t even look at me. That made for some long meals together. After I graduated, I hid out at home. By that time, I had started showing, and he didn’t want me to be an embarrassment to ‘his good family name.’ When he insisted I put my baby up for adoption, I rebelled against him for the first time in my life. He asked how a stupid girl was going to be able to care for a baby when she couldn’t care for herself.”

Marley was barely able to talk around the tears. It had been an eye-opening moment, hearing her father call her stupid. She knew she wasn’t smart, but that stung worse than anything she’d ever felt in her life. Dane tightened his arms and kissed her temple, leaving his lips pressed there. Taking a deep breath, Marley continued. “My sister had been married for a couple of years and had been trying to get pregnant but couldn’t. My mom suggested letting my sister adopt my baby. At first I balked; I wanted to raise my own child, but after a while, I realized it was the best thing for everyone.”

“What about the father?”

Marley laughed, but it was filled with pain, not joy. “I told Brandt, and he immediately suggested adoption. Didn’t even consider standing by me and starting a family. Said once he got through college and got a good-paying job, we’d have as many kids as I wanted. I stopped talking to him at school and refused to see him when he tried contacting me at night. Since he was the only boy I ever dated, my parents knew who the father was, but my dad was more worried about me getting rid of the baby than Brandt doing the right thing by me.

“I wanted to keep my baby, and I refused to discuss any other option, but the farther along I got, the more reality set in. I wasn’t smart, and there was no way I could raise a kid on my own. Not on a waitress’s salary. That’s all I’d ever done, and it was all I’d ever be able to do.”

“You are smart, Marley,” Dane protested.

“No, I’m not, and that’s okay. I know it takes all kinds to make the world go round. I’m not the prettiest or the smartest, but I try to be kind and be a good person. So, I agreed to let Lynette raise my baby.”

“Your niece…”

Marley nodded. “Grace. Yes, she’s really my daughter. Well, she was, but I gave her up so she could have a good life with my sister and Chase. They love her almost as much as I do.”

“And that’s why you don’t want more children?”

“I didn’t say I don’t want more, but what if she was the only shot I had? What if mother nature won’t let me have any more because I gave her away?”

Dane turned Marley around in his arms and kissed her forehead. “Oh, Sweetness, I don’t think that’s the case. I’m adopted, so I know a little about what it’s like being given up for a different kind of life. Granted, my parents did it for a completely different reason, but in the end, they did it with my best interest at heart. You did the same for Grace. I’m not saying you wouldn’t have been a good mother, because I know you would be the best mother in the world regardless of what you could or couldn’t give her. I’ve seen you interact with kids at work, and I’ve heard the love in your voice when you talk about Grace.”

“I don’t know if I can have another child without feeling guilty. How can I look at my baby without seeing Grace in his or her face? That’s not fair.”

“While I don’t think it’s fair to deny another child all the love you have to give, I won’t try to sway you one way or the other. This is something you’ll have to work through. I’ll be there every step of the way, and if you decide you can love another child, I’ll be the happiest father in the world. If you never get to that point, I’ll love you just the same.”

“You…” Marley swallowed hard. Surely she hadn’t heard him correctly.

“Love you. I love you, Sweetness. I know we haven’t been on many dates, but I’ve spent enough time with you to know how I feel.”

Dane was like a blond god. Women couldn’t help but stare as he walked into the room. Hell, even men stared at him. He could have anyone he wanted, but he’d chosen her. “Why me?” She had to know why someone like him would settle for someone like her.

“What do you mean?”

“I know what I look like, Dane. I’m not ugly, but I certainly don’t measure up to you. Not like that reporter. Her I can see on your arm.”

“Katherine is Julian Stone’s mate. You are mine. I don’t understand the hows and whys of it all, but according to Rafael, the fates decide who we are to be mated to. They choose the one who compliments us best and put us together. Honestly, I think you’re getting the short end of the stick here. I’m not going to lie and say I’m not handsome. I was called “pretty boy” too often in the Marines to think otherwise. But looks are only skin deep. I’m not the kind person you are. I’ve done plenty of shit I’m not proud of, and now I’m trying to make up for it.”

“So, basically, you’re stuck with me?”

“Not at all. Marley, you’re beautiful inside and out. The person you are on the inside is what makes you the kind of woman I want to spend the rest of my life with. Looks fade, but the goodness you exude? That’s what keeps me coming back to your table every morning. I’m honored the fates chose someone like you for someone like me. You’re the whole package, Sweetness. You’ve had a lot of information thrown at you tonight, so why don’t I take a step back and give you time to process everything. Let’s go enjoy a fabulous dinner, and maybe I’ll let you take me dancing somewhere.”

Somehow Marley knew Dane was speaking the truth. He didn’t see himself saddled down with her without a choice. When he looked at her, when he spoke to her, held her, it was because he wanted to. Marley had been in love with Dane for a while now, probably since he came to visit her at home after she’d been abused by a customer, but she never imagined he’d return her feelings. She didn’t need to take a step back.

“I don’t need time to think things over. I love you, Chief. I’ve loved you probably since the day you stopped by here to check on me after I was assaulted. If you’re sure you want me, then yes. I want to be your mate.”

Dane’s face lit up like Marley had given him the best present in the world. Maybe she had. Agreeing to be his mate was a big deal.

“Then I have something I need to ask you.” Dane dropped to one knee all while looking up at her, the smile never leaving his face. Pulling a ring box out of his pocket, he asked, “Marley Grace Sperry, will you do me the honor of becoming my mate as well as my wife?”

 

 

“Yes!” Marley squealed, pulling her birthstone ring off her left hand and moving it to her right. She then offered Dane her bare finger, and he slid the diamond on, where it rested against her hand perfectly.

“Dane, it’s beautiful.” She held her hand out in front of her, admiring the way the diamond sparkled. “It’s perfect.”

“Perfect like you,” Dane offered. He did his best not to think about the other ring in her jewelry box or the fact that Marley had a child with the man who most likely had given it to her. Her having a child had probably been as shocking to him as the truth of Gargoyles for her. Dane wanted to find the douchebag Brandt and pummel his face in for no reason other than he got to Marley first. Dane stood and pulled Marley to him, pressing their lips together. He kept the kiss soft and quick. As much as he’d love to take her to her bedroom and make the mate bond official, he wanted to celebrate their engagement with a nice dinner.

“Thank you, Sweetness. I promise you now I will always do my best to make you happy. I’ll keep you safe, and I will cherish your love for as long as we live.” Dane ran his thumb across her cheek, giving himself a moment to come to terms with how well the night was going. He’d never really seen himself as the marrying kind, but as soon as he found out he was a half-blood with a mate, it was all he could think about. Now, it was going to be a reality.

“Are you hungry?” he asked when his eyes met hers.

“Yes,” she responded breathlessly.” Marley grabbed Dane’s tie and pulled him down for a scorching kiss. He let his mate ravish his mouth until he was too close to coming in his pants.

Dane laughed and tapped her on the nose. “I meant for food. Let’s go celebrate.”

Clearing her throat, Marley said, “Let me get my purse.” She released his tie and smoothed it out before taking a step backwards, her own gaze perusing Dane as she did. She blindly reached for the small bag which was sitting on the end table. She finally turned her head to find the wayward clutch, and Dane admired her profile. His mate was going to kill him before they got back to his apartment later.

When Dane escorted Marley to his Porsche, she asked, “Where’s your car?” as he opened the door for her.

“This is my car. I usually keep it garaged since I have my work vehicle. But tonight is a special night, and I wanted us to ride in something better than a cop car.”

Marley was quiet, using the mirror on the visor to fix her face from where she’d been crying. He didn’t know how to take her silence. Instead of dwelling on it, he waited until she closed her purse and asked, “Have I told you how amazing you look tonight?” He threaded their hands together and let his pinkie play with the engagement ring.

“You might have mentioned it. I thought if you were going to the trouble of taking me somewhere as fancy as Chez Vaison, the least I could do was look the part.”

Look the part? Dane was confused. He didn’t want his mate to feel like she had to be anyone other than herself. The everyday Marley was the one he had fallen for, even if he had a push from the fates or whoever it was up there that decided she was the one for him. The more he got to know her, the more he appreciated her for the kind, genuine person she was. Dane might have had a thing for petite redheads before, but it hadn’t taken long to realize that the person on the inside was so much more important than how she looked on the outside. He got lucky and had the whole package in Marley.

“So, Miss Sperry, now that you’ve agreed to be my mate, we’ll need to find somewhere to live. Open the glove box.”

When Marley pulled the latch, the small door dropped down. “Those are some house listings I printed off. Why don’t you look through those and see if any of the houses are to your liking?” He had already checked out every one of the houses, and he knew they were move-in ready.

Dane released her hand so she could shuffle through the various papers. “A little presumptuous, there, Chief.”

“Not presumptuous. Hopeful.”

“These are so… big,” Marley said as she thumbed through the pages.

“I was planning on filling our home with children someday, but that was before we talked. If those are too big, we’ll look at something smaller. But while we’re looking, know this – I want you to have the house of your dreams, Sweetness. I’m not rich, but one of the perks of belonging to the Stone Society is knowing Michael Gentry. You may have met him at the diner. Looks like a rock star and goes by the name Sixx. He’s a whiz when it comes to investing, and in the short amount of time I’ve been a half-blood, he’s made me a substantial amount of money. I can pay cash for all those houses. I’m not saying that to impress you, but I do want you to know we can live comfortably.”

“Okay. Well, I do like the layout of this one,” Marley said, tapping her finger on the sheet she had on top. Dane glanced down and smiled. It was the one he liked better than the others.

“I like that one too. Lots of property for privacy. The shower is huge. Plenty of room for things besides bathing,” he husked.

“Think we could take it for a test spin?” Marley asked.

“I think we’d get thrown in jail for public indecency.”

“Good thing we know the chief of police, then.”

Dane laughed at his mate’s good-natured teasing. Her vibrancy and wit were just a couple of the attributes he found most appealing. Dane liked to laugh. He wanted to enjoy life with his mate, and he had no doubt the fates had chosen well. He needed to make sure to do everything he could to keep a smile on her face.

As Dane pulled into the circular drive in front of the restaurant, his beast rumbled, and Dane was unable to ignore the hint of trouble floating around him as he exited the car. After handing his keys to the valet, Dane paused momentarily, scanning the area with his shifter senses. Not detecting anything in the immediate vicinity, he escorted Marley through the etched-glass door of the fancy restaurant. Pride warred with rage in his chest when men turned to admire his mate. It was all he could do not to push her behind him so the others couldn’t see what was his. Instead, he placed his hand on the small of her back and leaned in to whisper, “Thank you for coming with me tonight.”

Marley shivered from his breath on her ear. When she turned her face up to respond, her smile warmed his soul while getting his cock’s attention. “Thank you for inviting me.” He couldn’t resist placing a soft kiss on her red lips.

The hostess led them to their table, and Dane scanned the room. The cop in him was ever-present, and with the unease he experienced outside, he was even more vigilant. The Unholy weren’t known for having sit-down dinners in nice restaurants, but it didn’t mean they wouldn’t make their unwelcomed presence known, either.

Their seats weren’t quite as private as Dane had hoped for, but securing a table on such short notice had taken a favor from Rafael. It paid to know one of the most prominent members of New Atlanta society. On their previous dates, Dane had cooked for Marley at his apartment, so he already knew she preferred cheap, fruity wine over the expensive dry offerings. Not wanting to embarrass her, he admitted he was going to order mixed drinks in lieu of wine, giving her the opportunity to get something more to her liking. When the waiter asked for their drink orders, Marley opted for sangria.

Never having been to Chez Vaison, they both took a while to look over the menu. Marley’s bottom lip was caught between her teeth as she frowned while making her choice. Dane figured it was the prices which were bothering her, because there were plenty of food options he knew she liked. He had already asked whether she was allergic to anything when he was cooking for her, and she assured him she ate most everything except for seafood. “Order anything you want. Like I said earlier, tonight is a celebration. It isn’t every night my girl says yes.”

Marley leaned closer. With a wicked gleam in her eye, she whispered, “I can guarantee this girl will absolutely say yes every single night.”  She winked at him then lifted her glass to her lips.

Dane let out a hearty laugh and shook his head. The fates had done well, indeed.

As Marley looked over the menu, Dane couldn’t help the smile she brought out. Her posture relaxed, and with a quick nod, she placed the menu on the table, obviously having made up her mind. Sipping her sangria, Marley looked around the room. Dane sat mesmerized by the simple task of his mate taking a sip of her fruity drink. Gods, he was gone for this girl. He had never been in love before, but he had never met the right woman. Dane had been in several relationships, but all had been short-lived. Either the woman wanted a ring after the first date, or they tired of his long and sporadic hours as a cop. He and Marley had briefly discussed his occupation, but she had gushed over how he was a hero. He had never thought of himself that way, but when he talked about some aspects of his job, her eyes lit up, and he believed she truly considered him to be one of the good guys.

The waiter had just taken their order when Dane’s cell phone vibrated. He prayed to all that was holy it wasn’t an emergency. He had plenty of good police officers in place who could handle most anything for one night. Following in Kaya’s footsteps, Dane was a hands-on chief. He never asked his team to do anything he wasn’t willing to do or had done. He excused himself and opened the screen to see a text from Jasper telling him he needed to check in with Frey as soon as possible. With the Unholy on the move more nights than not, Frey had doubled the patrol schedules. As chief, they kept Dane apprised of all movement in case he needed to act on behalf of the humans. It seemed this was possibly one of those nights.

“I’m sorry, Sweetness. I need to take this,” Dane apologized.

Marley smiled and waved her hand. “I understand. I’ll be fine,” she responded with a genuine smile. It wasn’t like she wasn’t used to them being interrupted by his work. He kissed her before he made his way to the back of the restaurant where he could talk in private.