Page 80 of The Billionaire's Claim: Redemption
He pales. Maybe I’ve shocked him. I didn’t mean to make it sound like I’m asking him to break up with me, but if he doesn’t love me anymore, I want him to say it, so we can end things before my love for him turns bitter and ugly. If we part now, we can at least be friends, and I might one day be able to look at him without feeling like I’m dying of heartbreak.
“Liza…I can’t.” He tilts his head upward, blinking a few times. “I could never let you go.”
“Then why are you staying away from me?”
“Because I don’t deserve you! You sacrificed yourself over and over again for me, and you almost got killed because you thought you were saving Kristen.”
“But I didn’t die.” I walk toward him and cradle his cheek, like he used to do to me. “I’m fully recovered. And you got shot trying to save me. No other man’s taken a bullet for me. I love you, and you know what made me hang in there when doctors were giving me painkillers and I was fading in and out?”
He merely stares, his eyes searching—desperate, hopeful, but fearful at the same time.
“Your promise…” I whisper, “that you’re never leaving me, that you’ll marry me.”
He raises his hand and lays it over mine on his cheek tenderly. “When I close my eyes, I see your battered face, the bruises on your body. I feel like if I had been stronger and faster…had more foresight…I would’ve been able to protect you better.”
“No! You did everything in your power. You couldn’t have done more. Our love is stronger than what Andy did to us. You fought for me; I fought for you—we’re invincible together.”
His forehead touches mine, and a shudder goes through me. This closeness and intimacy…I’ve missed it so much.
“The day Andy attacked, I was late because I was picking up a ring. I should’ve come home as soon as Tolyan let me know he had to leave you alone.”
I hold him tightly. “Don’t blame yourself. What Andy did…that’s on him. And I don’t care about any damn ring. All I’ve ever wanted is your heart.”
He slides down until he’s on his knees and wraps his arms around me. “Elizabeth Catherine Lucrezia Pryce-Reed, will you marry me and make the luckiest man in the world?” he asks, his blue eyes bright.
“Yes,” I say, my voice shaky even though I’m trying my best to sound firm. “Oh yes, of course.”
He pulls out a ring from his pocket. “This is the one I bought on my way home. If you don’t like it, I can get another.” He flips the lid open.
Both of my hands fly to my mouth. I’ve never seen a diamond that gorgeous. Or so pink. Or so full of promise. “Oh my God.”
“If it’s too small—”
“No, it’s perfect!” I cup his face and kiss him.
He kisses me back, then whispers against my lips, “No, you’re perfect,” then carries me to bed.
Chapter Forty-Four
Elizabeth
“You’re the most radiant bride, ever! You make bridal magazine photos look drab!”
I smile at Ming Ming’s praise. I asked her to be my maid of honor, and she’s taking her responsibilities very seriously. Some of that probably came from the fact that she got to stay at Ryder’s mansion. Her family worried about security, but decided she could stay in the States long-term if she got to stay in his fortress of a Hollywood home.
Aunt Ceinlys walks in, thoroughly examining every inch of my makeup and dress, then nods with a smile. “Elizabeth, you are perfect. Not a thing to fix.”
“Thank you.” Mom refused to get too involved because she hates the very idea that I’m marrying “so beneath me.” The way she reacted when I told her I’m marrying Dominic, you’d think I’d decided to tie the knot with a penniless ex-con who peddles crack-whores in seedy alleys.
She also declared rather coldly that she wouldn’t attend the wedding. I expected as much, so it didn’t bother me. I’d rather have people who love me and want the best for me and Dominic at our cerem
ony anyway.
But Dad had to announce, “I’m attending with my fiancée, who’ll be happy to fill in the shoes as Elizabeth’s mother. After all, I know my parental duties.”
He didn’t say it out of love for me; of course not. He did it because he hates Mom and wanted to humiliate her. So of course Mom changed her mind, because there’s “no mother more devoted to her children” than she…
“Your parents are here,” Kristen says as she comes in. “But…um…”
