Page 60 of Legend
“Of course I had to, cousin,” Tito said. “Santo inferno, you know this is my job.”
“Yes, I know,” I replied. “Ok, so maybe we can take a restroom stop in an hour?”
“Si, Gio. Sounds bene.”
I released the button and looked up at Glory.
She reached over with a wipe she’d gotten from the console and attempted to get the sticky residue removed from my jeans.
I allowed her to try for a couple of minutes before I stopped her. “Ok, sweetness. That’s about all you can do.”
“I’m just hoping it will dry before we get there,” she said. “You don’t want to arrive in wet jeans.”
I chuckled. “We could have died today, Glory. Like I care about my damn jeans.”
“True, but I would not have allowed you to die, Legend.” She gave me a serious look. Hitting the button to roll up the window, she sat back and let out a breath. “Damn, that was badass though. I rarely get to use my skills. Too many brothers around and not enough bad guys.”
I had to laugh as I took her hands in mine and told her, “As long as you are safe and sound, I will be happy. I admit that scared me just now. You hanging out of a damn window like that while in a gunfight.”
“It won’t always be like this, Legend. The Walkers are at war. That’s why it’s dangerous. But after this is over and they catch Deacon, we can settle down and have a somewhat normal life.”
“Somewhat?” I asked with a laugh.
Shrugging, she replied, “My name is Glory and yours is Legend. We are bikers with the Requiem MC. Just how normal do you think we can be?”
I paused, then chuckled. “Yeah, you got a point. But don’t you want a white picket fence and 2 point 5 children?”
She stared at me. “You can’t be serious.”
“I am. Do you want a house? Like with a garden, maybe?”
Cocking her head at me, she asked, “What is this about?”
I chuckled as I realized I was sort of babbling at her. I reached into my vest, bringing out the manilla envelope I’d grabbed from my dresser earlier this morning.
Scooting closer, Glory stared at the envelope and asked, “Ok, Legend what is going on?”
Opening it, I shook it once. Something dropped out onto my palm and I closed my fist over it.
“What is that?” she asked as she stared down at my hand.
“I was going to wait until all this was over. But now I changed my mind,” I said as I opened my fist.
Leaning forward, Glory stared at the diamond ring on my palm. “OH. MY. GOD. I-is that what I think i-it is?”
I laughed. “It is exactly what you think it is, yes.” The ring had an antique look to it. A gold band with a three-carat diamond. I scooted off the seat to kneel one knee down on the floorboard. Like I just said, I had planned to wait. Maybe do this in a better setting. Something more romantic. But the attack that just occurred reminded me of how short life could be. Of how long I’d already waited to be with her.
Glory gasped loudly as she slapped her hand over her mouth and stared down at me.
I took a deep breath and let it out slowly to steady my nerves. “I know I’ve been slow on this. But I have always loved you.” I winked at her. “I’ve had this ring for three years.”
Gasping again, she jumped in her seat while looking even more surprised. “What?” Her voice rose.
“I saw it in a store window in Sugarland years back and I knew somehow that it would be your engagement ring. Well, it would be whenever I got the courage up to finally admit that I loved you. So I bought it.” I raised it up and went on, “Glory Walker, I’m asking if you will spend your life with me, beside me. Be my wife. Will you marry me?”
Frozen as all the color had drained from her face, Glory stared at the ring.
I waited.
