Vinnie limped across the small apartment, her entire body aching, her heart full. Home. They’d made it back home to Vanguard territory, and she hoped to never leave again. Of course, that wasn’t possible.

Raze followed her and shut the door. “How’s the neck?”

“Hurts.” She turned and smiled. Then she sobered. Ah, hell.

“So you went and got yourself stabbed?” Lucinda bounced next to Raze, wearing an eighties aerobics outfit, complete with bright purple leg warmers and a matching headband. “I told you he’d be dangerous.”

Vinnie rolled her eyes. “Go away, Lucinda. I’m tired.”

“Well.” Lucinda puffed out of sight.

Raze lifted an eyebrow.

Vinnie shrugged. Keeping secrets seemed like a waste of time. “She’s gone now.”

Raze eyed the area next to him before heading for Vinnie and backing her toward the bed. “Good. There are things I want to do to you, soft and gentle ones because you’re injured, that I’d rather she didn’t see.”

Vinnie smiled and let him set her down on the firm mattress. “You don’t mind that I’m nuts?”

“I adore you the way you are, crazy or not.” He grinned. “Definitely crazy, though.”

She chuckled and rolled right into his strong body, careful to avoid the bandage on his bicep from the bullet wound. “We found Maureen.”

“Yeah.” Raze ran a hand down Vinnie’s hair. “Sorry about the whole plan to kidnap you.”

She licked along his neck. “You’re forgiven.” Especially because he hadn’t done it. “You didn’t have to be so bossy with your sister earlier.” The man had all but forced Maureen to accompany them to Vanguard territory.

Raze sighed. “I just got her back here.”

“Yeah, but those nurseries are her babies, and we all need food. Her work is in Merc territory.” Vinnie kept the rest of her thoughts to herself. She’d seen the way Maureen had looked at Greyson when she’d discovered the guy had jumped in front of a bullet for her. “We’re allies now, right?”

“Hell, no. I’m glad Grey and Damon went to inspect the damage to their territory and assess casualties. It’s gonna be a bad day for them.” Raze kissed the top of Vinnie’s head. “Maureen is staying here for the time being. We’ll figure out a safe way for her to continue her work. Oh, and I’m still killing Greyson the second he’s no longer useful.”

Vinnie wondered what Maureen would have to say about that. Vinnie sighed and let her body relax. “I can’t believe you guys caught up to us so quickly.”

“We used the dune buggies and followed the boats. When I saw them load you guys into a truck, it was all I could do not to stop it. But Jax was right. Hot-wiring a truck and taking the president by surprise was a better move.” Raze sighed. “I wish I could’ve ended that bastard, though. He’s safe at his new headquarters, wherever that is.”

“Oh, we’ll get him.” Vinnie tried to sound positive. If the military actually answered to Bret, then it was a long shot. But that was a concern for another day. “I heard that Sami and Byron are both recuperating.”

“Yeah. That kid was great in the fight, and so was Sami. I owe them,” Raze said.

“We both do.” She needed to tell him everything she was feeling. “You keep saving me, Raze.” The man was a hero, and more importantly, he was her hero.

“Of course. I love you.”

Those words. How those words filled her. Life was dangerous and full of uncertainties, but for now, Vinnie was safe and with the man she loved. “I love you too, you know.”

He leaned back, his blue eyes sizzling. “You had better. Um, remember when you were trying to mess with my head and said we should get married?”

Her silly heart fluttered. “Sure.”

“I meant it. When I said yes, I meant it.” He brushed a kiss across her nose. “I want you, all of you, as completely as I can get you. That means marriage and same name. Mine.”

Her chest swelled with what had to be happiness. “You sound a mite possessive, Shadow,” she murmured, running her hands through his thick hair.

“Just a mite?” He grinned. “I want full on, totally possessive. What do you say?”

Somehow, in this time and this place, it was the most romantic proposal she could even imagine. “I say yes.”

He leaned down and kissed her, going deep, so much love in the movement that tears filled her eyes. “Don’t forget you promised to obey,” he murmured against her mouth.

She grinned and nipped his bottom lip. “I most certainly did not.”

“Hmm.” His incredible blue eyes darkened. “We’ll have to work on that, then.”

He could tease all he wanted. Somehow, in the darkness the world had become, fate had given her this man. This wounded, brave, dangerous and honorable man. “I love you, Raze Shadow.”

His gaze showed her everything she’d ever wanted to see. “I love you, too. Whatever happens, Vinnie. It’s you and me. Forever.”