At Ever Nights, Cortez suggested she visit Cole. “He’s been worried.”

She groaned. “You told him?”

“I made sure he was kept informed. He knows you’re safe now, but he wants to see for himself. Ryder will escort you.”

“Okay, but…why not you?”

“I have something to take care of. I’ll see you shortly.”

She couldn’t help the tinge of disappointment. She figured he wouldn’t be able to wait to sweep her up to his suite to get this whole bonding business over with.

As if sensing her reluctance to part ways, he drew her in for a quick, yet searing kiss that had butterfly wings skimming her insides. His eyes said that was just a prelude. Then he turned to leave, and she followed Ryder.

When she entered the room lined with cells, Cole jumped off his cot and rushed the bars. “Are you alright?”

She gave him a smile. “I’m okay.”

When his body slumped like he’d been riding a wave of tension, she wanted to put her arms around him and hold on forever.

On the same page, he said, “I wish I could hug you right now.”

“Me too.” She paused. “So how are the cravings going?”

He scraped a hand down the back of his neck. “It’s like you’re suddenly a drug addict, but you can’t quit taking it because you need it to live. Let’s just say it’s a good thing I’m in here. But hey, if I have to be caged, at least it’s gilded. Got a TV, and all the blood I can drink. Ryder even brought me a game console. I can already beat his ass at Battle Max Extreme.”

“He beat me once,” Ryder qualified, indignant. “And I want a rematch.”

Cole spread his arms out. “Bring it on, bitch.”

“I’ve got time to wipe the floor with you. Fire it up,” Ryder challenged, growing lively.

Naia sighed, said her goodbyes, and then returned to the main floor alone. Kenzi was there when she entered the lobby, and suddenly Naia was swept up in a painfully tight embrace.

“My God, are you alright? I heard what happened. Is there anything I can do?”

“Thanks, I’m fine. Do you know where Cortez is?”

“I saw him go into one of the conference rooms a little while ago.”

She didn’t need to ask which one. “Thanks. We’ll talk later, okay?”

“Yeah. Okay.”

She hurried through the club and found Cortez sitting at the table alone. His fingers were steeple over his tightened lips. Instantly she hated the look on his face. “You’re having second thoughts already?”

He let out a heavy sigh and leaned back. “Naia, there’s still a lot to consider before you agree to this. I’m afraid you’re jumping in with both feet because you just had a near-death experience. You might not be in your rational mind, and I might be taking advantage of that fact.”

She shook her head. “I had already decided last night what I wanted, and I haven’t changed my mind. Today’s events have only solidified my decision.”

“That’s exactly my point. You decided because you were nearly about to die. That’s why you told me you loved me over the phone, I could hear it in your voice. You thought it would be the last time you ever could.”

“You’re not hearing me. And in case you’ve forgotten, I told you I loved you before that. I’m not confused.”

He hesitated as if he couldn’t quite bring himself to believe. “True, you told me you loved me before that, but then you learned about the blood bond. I’ll never forget your stricken expression after I told you everything. It freaked you out.”

“Yeah, it was a lot to take in. And you were right. I did need to think it through. Which I have. Why are you doing this? I’m not going to change my mind.”

He met her gaze, and she saw all the fear and vulnerability and hope he’d been concealing till now. He was a man who was used to being sure about his every decision, planning for every outcome. Only now he didn’t know which way was up, and they were both on a ledge about to dive off.

She crossed to him and placed her hands on either side of his face, forcing him to look up at her. “What I went through today was significant and traumatizing and terrible, and, well, you’re right, it did affect my decision. It chased away all my doubt. All of it. When I believed I was going to die, I thought of only two people in the world and how much I loved them and would miss them and wished only the best for their future with or without me. The two men I love most in the world and always will. I love you, you big stupid dummy. You’re my family now, and there’s nothing you can do about it, so get used to it.”

At length, his lips twitched, but then that stubborn frown returned, and she knew he was about to piece together another weak protest.

“Come with me.” She grabbed his hand and tugged him out of the chair.

“Where are we going?” he asked, offering no resistance, which told her more than he probably realized.

“I’ve got an idea that will settle this matter once and for all.” Leading him through the lobby, past the main room, she stopped in the pool hall. “I’ll play you for it. I win, you take me upstairs and make wicked love to me before I make you mine forever. You win, we forget the whole thing.” She waved her hand airily as if that wouldn’t shatter her to her core.

She turned to face him and raised her chin. Several people in the corner overheard her speech, their mouths agape. She didn’t care.

“Shall I break?” Cortez asked, ignoring their audience. He moved with swift intent, racking the balls and selecting a cue stick.

Would he really try to beat her? Was she playing a losing hand? She chewed her lip, breath stunted.

He glanced over his shoulder at her, meeting her gaze. The cue stick slammed forward. The cue ball shot straight into a corner pocket.

He straightened to his full height, looking into her eyes, and set the cue stick on the felt. “I guess I win.”

She was about to correct him, but then he was suddenly in front of her, arms hooking her waist, lips kissing her with a passion that scrambled her brain in the best possible way.

When he released her, she blinked up at him in a daze. Then he did something so outrageous, for a split second, she thought she was dreaming. But no. He really was kneeling in front of her, balanced on one knee. And that was a ring sized box he was pulling out of his pocket.

All the air seeped from her lungs as he opened it. Inside rested a ring with a massive, glittering diamond surrounded by a spiral of smaller sapphires. She cursed her sudden tears for momentarily obstructing her view of the glorious, glorious thing.

“If I truly get to have you,” Cortez said, “then I want to make you mine in every way possible. Will you marry me?”

“God yes! Gimme-gimme!” She bounced with anticipation, trying to hold her hand steady so that Cortez could slip it on her finger. A perfect fit.

He stood and swept her up in his arms, their lips crushing together with pure joy. She barely registered the clapping and cheering from the small audience.

She broke the kiss to whisper in his ear, “If you don’t take me someplace where I can have you naked right now, we’re going to put on a different kind of show for your guests.”

“Noted.”