Page 78 of Rough Ride with the Grumpy Cowboy
“Will you still be competing this weekend?”
“Of course—I’ll be all better by then.”
“You already proved how good you are. Is there any way I can convince you to take that one win and let it go?” I suggest hopefully.
He takes my hand and kisses the tips of my fingers. “Stop fussing. I’m safe, and you are too. Now lie with me,” he demands, adjusting us on the bed so that we’re cuddling.
I don’t know why Zane is not freaking out. They just attempted to kill him, and once they learn they have failed, they will try again, and I’m scared to find out how.
“Stop thinking,” he demands, kissing my temple.
“I’m trying,” I mumble, tracing the tattoos on his ribs.
Since Zane is adamant about competing again and there’s no talking him out of it, all I can do is be supportive and hope that my fucked-up family is caught before they try again. I just got Zane back—I cannot lose him again. Our baby needs him too. Speaking of, I should tell him that I am pregnant, but now is not the time. I will wait until after the competition.
30
ZANE
I did it—I bought the ring. Now all that’s left is to pop the question. I’m running out of time, which is why I’m planning to do it today, after the competition.
Unlike last time, today I’m aiming for the gold. There is no literal gold—it’s just a regional competition—but I want first place. Then I’ll have something to be proud of as I go down on one knee and ask Ava to marry me.
More than ever, I want to do it today because of how on edge she’s been. Ever since all the atrocities her family has done to her came to light, she’s been slowly slipping back to the old version of herself. She’s barely eating, has been having trouble sleeping, and is saying less and less each day.
I know a proposal is not going to fix all this—I just want to give her something to look forward to while I handle her family for her. I know law enforcement is already after the brother, but I want all of them since in my books they’re all responsible in one way or another.
Ava thinks that they’re the ones who messed with my mechanical bull, causing it to blow up. I’m lucky I escaped with my life and only a minor injury. As for her family, I don’t think they’re that brazen to try a direct attack on me, but there’s also no way to really know for sure.
The gym is supposed to be private and all mine—there are no cameras, so it’s hard to know if someone went in there and tampered with my equipment.
I hope it was just an accident, but if it’s really them and I find out, then their days are truly numbered. I’m going to erase their existence from the world for hurting my girl and attempting to kill me.
“Are you sure you’re up for this? You don’t look so good,” Beck, who is helping me prep for the final round, asks.
I turn to him with a glare. “I’m fine. You’re more nagging than my wife.”
It’s too late to take back my words.
“Wife, huh?” he teases with a cheeky grin.
“Slip of the tongue, but she will be soon,” I decree, realizing there’s no need to deny it.
She hasn’t said yes yet—I haven’t even asked—and there’s a chance she might say no. Her life is in LA after all, but I’m banking on the fact that she’s in love with me and has found healing with us at Iron Stallion. She will say yes, we’ll tie the knot, and I will be her safe place for eternity, and her mine.
“Does this mean what I think it means?” Beck inquires.
“Yes, I’m going to ask Ava to marry me.”
His grin only gets wider from my confirmation. “Wow, I’m happy for you.”
“Thank you. I hope she says yes.”
“Are you kidding? She’s smitten with you—she’ll definitely say yes,” he assures me.
“She better.”
Having the best timing, I see Ava walking toward us from the corner of my eye.
