ONE YEAR LATER

He left the courthouse to a slew of journalists and photographers who had arranged themselves almost like a press junket in readiness.

"Mr. Deus! How do you feel about the verdict?"

"Wasn't Brock Covington a long-standing family friend?"

"How do you feel now the man who tried to have you killed is facing the rest of his life behind bars?"

Jayden ground to a halt at the last question and his gaze searched to find the idiot who'd asked it.

"Not worth it," Lucas murmured softly.

Jayden gripped his arm and met his eyes, then nodded faintly. Lucas was right. A sharp word to a journalist now might stick with him for decades.

Lucas smiled and wrapped his arm around Jayden's, then they continued on down the steps together.

"Will you be at Dr. Hapsburg's trial next month?"

"Do you think there's any more corruption to root out at Deus Pharmaceuticals?"

"Do you have any comment on Deus Pharmaceuticals' stabilized share prices?"

"Mr. Deus, when are you and Mr. Neal getting married?"

That question sent a ripple through the journalists, who all immediately began clamoring for wedding details.

"Oh my God!" Jayden gasped as Lucas finally managed to get him into the waiting car. Once Lucas was in, the driver pulled out into traffic, leaving Jayden staring at the crowd as they left it behind.

Lucas chuckled with ease as he settled back in his seat. "I guarantee that rumor hits the press by..." he checked the time on his cellphone. "Now."

Jayden snorted and shook his head. "Well if they're gonna say it, we may as well do it."

Lucas blinked like he might've misheard, and he faced Jayden slowly. "Is that... What?"

The heat rose to his cheeks, and he bit his lip. God damn, this was impulsive, but really, was that a problem? Their entire relationship had been formed on instinct, and almost two years later they were stronger than ever.

So maybe it was time to discuss it.

"Lucas," he said, trying to keep the faint tremor from his voice. He reached for Lucas' hand and gripped it, then grinned, and the words gushed out of him. "Would you do me the honor of becoming my husband?"

Something extraordinarily rare happened. Lucas' cheeks turned a deep pink.

God, he was blushing!

Jayden bit his lip at how adorable the sight was. It didn't occur to him that Lucas might say no, but the wait was almost excruciating while Lucas opened and closed his mouth a couple of times.

Lucas squeezed his fingers, then raised his chin. "The honor would be all mine," he finally murmured.

"Yes!" Jayden squealed it so loud that he startled himself, and he flung his arms around Lucas' neck. "Oh man! Where do you wanna get married? Barbados? Antigua! Oh, how about Vegas! We could do a Vegas shotgun wedding!"

Lucas laughed and wrapped arms around his waist. "I don't care where, just so long as I get to spend forever with you."

Jayden could've melted in his arms. Day after day Lucas shows just how much in love he was, and he wasn't afraid of it, didn't think it made him less of a man. The thought that he could have Lucas forever, have rings on their fingers which showed the world how they felt, gave him goosebumps.

"Forever," he echoed. "I promise."

"Then let's do it. I love you."

Jayden snuggled in against his side. "I love you too."

Life couldn't get any better than this,