Page 66 of She's Mine

Then he’d randomly shown up at my hospital room wanting to speak to Jeffrey.

I wasn’t sure if I should be worried, or hopeful.

Me, Mom, and Hillary all fell silent, as the door to my room opened again, and in walked Jeffrey and Charles.

“Sorry to intrude, David, but I was hoping I could speak to you alone for a moment,” Charles Blythe said, in a formal and clipped voice.

“Of course,” I replied.

Everyone else left the room, and then Charles settled in the seat closest to my bed.

“I wanted to thank you for everything you did to protect my daughter. Pamela told me your injury is because you took a bullet for Alyssa. I don’t have the words to express my gratitude.”

“I’d die for your daughter, Mr. Blythe,” I replied earnestly. “I know you’re not thrilled about Alyssa and I being together. And I understand some of your reservations, given our age difference and how we met, but I assure you, Sir, I love your daughter. I would never do anything to hurt her.”

“You better not, either. If I ever find out you’ve done anything to harm my daughter or grandchild, I will end you,” Charles said in a smooth, controlled voice that eerily reminded me of Tomas Hernández.

“I’d sooner die than hurt Alyssa or our baby,” I vowed, my voice taking on an equally hard edge.

“Well, now that we’ve come to an agreement, you have my blessing. Alyssa is actually here at the hospital—”

“What? Are she and the baby, okay?”

“Yes, they’re both fine. Don’t worry. She’s here because Joseph woke up.”

I didn’t know what to say to that. Everything surrounding Joseph Blythe was bizarre. The fact he’d been alive this whole time and working with the Bloodline boggled my mind. But that didn’t compare to learning he’d been about to betray the cartel when Hernández shot Charles. The fact the Blythe family had gotten their son back, only to seemingly lose him again so soon broke my heart. I knew it would be a long, hard road, but I was glad Joseph had woken up. And I hoped he and his family had a chance to rebuild their relationship.

I knew having her older brother back in her life would meaneverythingto Alyssa.

“We’re just waiting for the doctors to let us know we can see him,” Charles went on, glossing over my lack of response. “But after, I will send Alyssa straight here.”

I was surprised when Charles Blythe awkwardly reached out to shake my hand, but I took it all the same.

As Charles rose from his seat, I called out, “Wait, there’s something I want to ask you.”

“Yes?” Charles replied, raising a thin, dark eyebrow.

“I’d like your permission to propose to Alyssa.”

A genuine grin covered Charles’ face as he replied, “You have my blessing, David. Welcome to the family.”

Charles left my hospital room, and a moment later, Mom, Hillary, and Jeffrey re-entered.

“Did everything with Charles go well?” Jeffrey asked, as the three of them settled around my bed.

I smiled at my friend and mentor. “It did. I assume it's in part because of you.”

Jeffrey shrugged. “I only told Charles the truth, David. You’re a wonderful man.”

I allowed myself a small grin, before I went on. “Charles has given his blessing that Alyssa and I can be together … and well … I sort of asked for his permission to propose to her.”

“Oh my God!” My mom squealed, jumping up from her seat to pull me into a tight embrace. “When will you ask her? Do you have a ring?”

“Actually, I was wondering, would it be possible for me to have Grandma’s ring?”

My mother had a beautiful diamond and sapphire ring that had been given to her by her own mother, before her passing. I knew it would look beautiful on Alyssa, and the fact it was somewhat of a family heirloom made it even more special.

“Absolutely. Of course,” Mom replied, gently sliding the ring off her finger and giving it to me. “We should celebrate. As soon as you’re discharged, I’m throwing an engagement party for you and Alyssa.”

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