The launch of Warrior Queen was a huge success, with the game soaring to the top of the charts. They had decided to go back to the original plan and release it near Christmas to give the negative publicity surrounding Conor’s shooting and Jude Ryan’s arrest a chance to die down.

The launch party was a ticket-only event and, rumor had it, tickets were being auctioned at high prices. Emily looked at herself critically in the long mirror. The midnight blue velvet dress clung to her curves, despite not showing any flesh. It didn’t look as demure as it had on the hanger. Did she look too sexy for the CEO of a foundation set up to empower women?

A knock on the door of her hotel room interrupted her thoughts. Opening it, she was delighted to see Conor. The widening of his eyes told her he approved of her gown.

“You look amazing,” he whispered as he kissed her lightly. “I want to hug you but I don’t want to mess up your outfit. I brought you these.”

She opened the small box to find sapphire and diamond earrings. They were perfect for her dress.

“My cell hasn’t stopped ringing. Honestly, you would think the Kardashians would have picked up their tickets early.”

Emily grinned at Conor’s teasing.

“Your gran, Joe and the others will be collected by limo. Gertie told me she didn’t expect anything less.”

“Good old Nana. Hard to believe she and Joe are now married. Nurse Kathy looked wonderful in her matron of honor gown, didn’t she?”

“She’s coming tonight, too, with her family. She says her kids want to kill me.”

“Why?”

“They have to work harder to keep up at school. Seems they were moaning they had me to thank for that.”

Emily smiled. “You did a wonderful thing for Nurse Kathy and everyone else. Did Nana tell you Dunne’s Castle has a waiting list now?”

“I wish she hadn’t named it that.”

“It’s only between us. The real name will be unveiled at the official opening.”

“That’s what worries me.”

Emily glanced at Conor. She loved him more every day. Not only because he had looked after her grandmother and Nurse Kathy. Dan had also been looked after and would never have any financial worries. Her boyfriend was a force to be reckoned with.

She smoothed down her dress, wondering if he would ever ask her to marry him again. He hadn’t mentioned it since the day they found Jude’s pen. Carrie kept telling her to ask him, but she was old fashioned. It was the man’s job to propose. Although he had mentioned that in Ireland, on February 29, women could pop the question.

“Are you ready?” he asked.

Emily stood up. “Yes, I think so.”

“You look amazing.”

“I’m not sure about the dress, whether it projects the right image. I think it may be too tight.”

“I don’t. You look incredibly sexy,” Conor whispered as he brought his lips to hers. Their kiss sent shivers to every part of her body. It was getting more and more difficult not to take their relationship to the next level. She knew Conor wanted to but she…she was still old-fashioned.

“Come on, your public awaits you.” Conor bowed, making her laugh. Taking a deep breath, they left her hotel room and walked slowly arm-in- arm to the ball.

* * *

The night went wonderfully. Everywhere Emily went, there were smiling people wishing her well. Nobody mentioned the past, for which she was thankful. Jude Ryan had come so close to ensuring Emily’s whole venture was a disaster. Jude was now facing prison, although he hadn’t meant to shoot Conor. The gun went off when he was startled, seeing Conor in the apartment. He was also being investigated for insider trading as he had purchased shares in most of the companies Conor had invested in. Rumor had it, he declined bail as he was more afraid of the men he owed money to than being in prison.

Sunny Studios was no more, with all the workers who’d stayed with Conor moving over to their new joint enterprise—Blue Empress Gaming. They had decided to merge the two gaming ventures and separate the Foundation, which would concentrate on the charity work. The Foundation was going stronger than ever, thanks in a large part to generous donations from Conor and his friends. Emily shook her head. She had to pinch herself to believe everything that had happened over the past few months.

The lights dimmed so the winner of the giant raffle could be announced. She caught Carrie’s gaze. Her friend and business partner bubbled over with excitement. She was about to leave on her Caribbean vacation. It was the one Conor had promised her, only he had provided a yacht and his private plane as well as increasing the vacation to two weeks. Steven was going as well. Carrie confided in Emily that she hoped to return married.

“Are you ready?” Carrie asked her.

“I thought you were picking the winner?” Emily asked.

“No way. You’re the boss. You are our warrior queen. You have to pick the ticket.”

Emily let Carrie guide her up onto the stage where the giant drum sat. Looking around, she couldn’t see Conor. She thought he would want to be there with her. After all, without his help, this night wouldn’t have happened. Knowing him, he was probably off talking to one of Nana’s friends. She would need to watch his interest in little old ladies. Grinning at how silly she was being, she turned to the crowd. She began by thanking everyone for coming, for their support and well wishes. She encouraged everyone to follow their dreams.

As she talked, the band began playing As Time Goes By. She looked to Carrie. Her friend shook her head as if she didn’t know why they were interrupting. Emily turned back toward the drum and the crowd. Everyone was staring—not at her, but at the spotlight which was now at the back of the room. Conor walked toward her, singing rather tunelessly along.

She couldn’t believe it. His eyes held hers as if there were only the two of them in the room. Tears ran down her cheeks as he moved toward her. She had found him. Her Rick.

Then he jumped up on the stage. She caught his wince at the pain it must have caused his leg, but he didn’t seem to care. His eyes held hers as he went down on one knee. His good one.

“Emily Williams, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

The audience clapped and roared.

“You have to say yes. You couldn’t show me up in front of this crowd,” he whispered when she just stood there, gawking at him.

Laughing, she nodded. The audience cheered, “You got to say ‘yes’.”

“Conor Dunne, I love you. Yes.”

The roof nearly came off the building as the cheers and applause rang out around them, but Emily only had eyes for Conor and vice versa. They kissed and kissed until someone shouted at them to get a room.

Laughing, they broke apart but still held hands.

“Do you want to pick the ticket, future Mrs. Dunne, or shall I?”

“We’ll do it together, just like we plan to do everything else.”

And so they did.

* * *

Dear Reader,

Thank you for reading my book. I hope you enjoyed the

story of Conor and Emily. Gertie, Emily’s grandmother

appears in the next book determined to help Conor’s friend

Declan Malone get his happy ever after.

Will she succeed or is Billionaire Declan destined to remain a single man?

to find out when Declan’s story will be released.

Until next time,

Best wishes

Jill