Chapter 94

I was thankful for the brief distraction my baby shower had offered. I hadn’t realized just how much stress and aggravation my body was undergoing until I took that much-needed break for myself.

Although I was able to put my thoughts about my brother and his condition at ease for the time being, my mind proceeded to shift toward James. Why had he rushed out of the house earlier?

He mentioned something about running a few ‘errands’...But in all the time I’ve gotten to know him, James wasn’t someone who went out to run basic errands. Normally, there was someone else who would take responsibility for him so he could remain focused on his work.

I knew there had to be a legitimate reason for his disappearing so promptly before. And I was determined to find out what that reason was.

Once everyone had said their goodbyes, I returned to the bedroom to take a quick shower and slip into more comfortable clothes. When I finished up in the bathroom, I found James had just returned, looking exhausted and contemplative.

I closed the space between us and wrapped my arms around his middle. I melted into his chest when I became engulfed in his warm embrace.

“Thank you for today,” I said softly.

James pressed a chaste kiss to the top of my head and hummed. “I’m glad you had a nice time.”

I leaned my head back to stare up at him. “Now you can tell me where you really went earlier,” I insisted with a sly grin. “Because I know damn well that you weren’t running errands before.”

He raised his brows and chuckled. “I love how nothing gets past you,” he noted. “You’re right. I went to meet with a few people and I didn’t want to worry you.”

I furrowed my brows. “James...Where exactly did you go?”

I could see the hesitation in his eyes. As I started to take a step back I felt his hands tighten on my waist.

“I went to meet with David and Michael,” he stated.

My mouth fell open. To say I was shocked was a complete understatement.

“Have you lost your friggin’ mind!? What the hell possessed you to go back to that house?!” I fumed.

“I know it sounds insane,” he started. James let out a long sigh and shook his head. “It wasn’t something that I planned lightly. But it had to happen.”

“Why?” I pressed. “What was so important that you risked your life, yet again?”

James offered me a reassuring smile. “The incident with your brother.”

I pulled us over to the bed and sat down.

“I inquired about whether or not David had heard about what happened to Chris. I filled him in on what Philip told us—man was practically speechless. Don’t get me wrong, there’s a very likely chance that he and I will never see eye-to-eye on many things. Whether or not anyone cares to admit it, we all share a common enemy at the moment.”

It took me a minute to realize who he was referring to. “...Edward,” I breathed.

James nodded his head. “I was telling them about what really happened to your brother and how Edward will likely strike again.”

I felt a jolt of panic rush through me. “How do you know?”

He brushed a part of my hair back from my face and spoke evenly. “The Crescent Moon Annual Dinner event is coming up in a few days. Much like the Alpha Gathering, Edward is not welcome to show up; however, it’s not likely to stop him.”

“You’re saying that he’s going to make another unexpected appearance.”

“It’s quite possible. In fact, I’m somewhat counting on it. He won’t stop until he feels as though he’s won.”

I lifted one of my brows in question. “So, is David actually going to attend the dinner?”

David was obviously a man who liked making a public spectacle of himself. But the Crescent Moon Annual Dinner didn’t seem like it was social enough to capture his interest.

“I hope so. I extended the invitation to Michael, as well. I want as many people as I can to be aware and ready for any possible strike.”

My features softened as a swell of pride toward James filled my chest.

“Thank you,” I told him.

“For what?”

“Whether you’re aware of this or not, you’re making an attempt to repair the ties that are between our families. What you did, reaching out to David like that could be what everyone needed in order to finally move on. I don’t want to bring our children into a world where there’s all this hate and anger toward one another.”

James’ eyes grew hooded while a smug grin took hold of his lips.

“What?”

“You said ‘our children’.”

I blushed. “Oh, well...”

He took me in his arms and hugged me close. “It made me happy hearing that. Mia...there’s something I want to ask you.”

“Yes?”

He looked nervous, the same he did when we were having dinner that one night. “I’ve been thinking about this for a while and I wasn’t sure how to talk about it. I realized that I want more than the marriage contract.”

I raised my brows in question. “What do you mean?”

“It was your uncle that made me realize how easy it would be to dissolve that part of our relationship...Mia, I want to marry you.”

“But, aren’t we—”

“The right way,” he said. “You deserve a real marriage with a real wedding and a chance to walk down an aisle, wearing a gorgeous dress and having the whole day be about you.”

I sheepishly took off the ring James had gotten for me all those months ago and handed it to him.

“Ask me,” I whispered. “Ask me again.”

James’ eyes light up with excitement. “Actually, as much as I like the one you’ve been wearing...There’s another ring that I want you to have.”

He slid off the bed and got down on one knee. He reached into his pocket and took out a small, black velvet box.

“This ring originally belonged to my mother,” he said. “No one has ever worn it but her. “Mia Johnson, will you do the honor of marrying me?”

A delirious smile broke out across my face. “Yes!”

Without a second thought, I practically threw myself at him and pressed my lips to his. He ran his hand through my hair and held me close.

“My one real request is that we wait until the babies are born to have the wedding,” I said.

Buzz. Buzz.

I reached for my phone to find a notification from the hospital.

“Oh my God,” I gasped. “Chris is awake.”