Page 75 of Protecting Kelli
It felt as if everyone in the entire bar stopped talking at once.
“Remi. I told you once that I was going to marry you. Was going to put my ring on your finger, my baby in your belly, and that I’d glare at anyone who dared look sideways at my beautiful wife. You’ve been through several deployments. You’ve had more than enough time to know what you’re getting with me. I’m not perfect. I can be a dick. But I love you more than I ever thought I could love another person. Will you marry me? Have my babies? Grow old with me?”
Remi was beaming. “And I toldyouthat when you asked, I’d say yes. I think I knew you were the man for me back when we were floating in the ocean together and you shared your air with me. Yes…to the ring, the baby, and even though no one is going to look twice at me, I’ll let you glower—not glare, you saidglower, when you first warned me of your future intentions. Yes, Vincent! Yes to it all!”
Kevlar stood up and lifted his now-fiancée out of her chair, spinning her around in a circle. They were both grinning like fools as the entire bar cheered and clapped for them.
Flash looked over at Kelli, and saw she had an ear-to-ear smile on her face. It was obvious how happy she was for her new friend. Flash couldn’t help but reach over and take her hand in his. She turned that happy grin to him, and it felt as if they were the only two people in the world. If he could bottle this moment, her happiness, and bring it out when life got tough, he would.
Kevlar put Remi back on her feet and slid a beautiful emerald-cut diamond ring on her finger. It wasn’t ostentatious, but it definitely would tell anyone who might care to look that this woman was off the market.
“And we’re having our party here, right?” Remi asked. “I talked to Josie, and she already asked me about a double ceremony with her and Blink. I love that idea! He means so much to me, and you too, I know. I may or may not have already brought up the idea of having the reception here at Aces to Jessyka. She said yes, that all she needs is a date. She’ll close the bar to everyone but our people. Oh! And Josie wants to make sure Blink’s twin and his helicopter friends can come too. And of course, Wolf and his team and all their families. Marley is already looking for the perfect dress to wear, even though I told her that I’m not sure I want the traditional bridesmaids. How could I choose who would stand up with me? It’s impossible! Ihave too many people I love and I don’t want anyone to feel slighted. It’ll be a tight fit for everyone here at Aces, but this is the perfect place! It’s casual, friendly, and the food and drinks are perfect?—”
“Breathe, Remi. We can do whatever you want. All I care about is you being mine, and belonging to you officially in return.”
“You’re already mine, and I’m already yours,” Remi said almost casually, as she put her hand on Kevlar’s shoulder so she could admire her ring.
“Damn straight.”
“Champagne on the house!” Jessyka announced loudly from behind the bar, holding up a bottle.
Cheers rang out all around them once more as everyone celebrated not only Remi and Kevlar’s official engagement, but also free alcohol.
Flash kept hold of Kelli’s hand as Remi and Kevlar sat back down, swapping seats this time so Remi could show off her ring to Kelli.
“Congrats, man,” Flash said, slapping Kevlar on the shoulder.
“Thanks. Honestly?” his friend said quietly. “I’m glad that’s over. Lord, I knew what her answer was going to be, and yet I was still nervous as hell.”
“I could tell. Glad that’s what was up, because I was getting a little paranoid over here,” Flash joked.
“Wait until it’s your turn,” Kevlar warned. “You’ll see what I mean. Even though you know you love your woman, and she loves you, there’s just something nerve-racking about actually asking the question.”
Flash wasn’t sure about that. He looked at Kelli. When he asked her to marry him, he wasn’t going to do itin public. It would be an intimate thing between the two of them. Not because he’d be afraid she’d say no, but because he wanted to spoil her, make her feel like the most cherished woman in the world. Visions of flowers, a dinner for two, maybe a beautiful view sprang to his mind, as he thought about where and how he’d ask her to marry him.
It wasn’t until she laughed at something Remi said that he shook his head and concentrated on the here and now. He was getting ahead of himself for sure. But he knew down to his bones that this woman would wear his ring one day. Just as he’d wear hers.
The party atmosphere in the room lasted for quite a while. There was just something about a successful marriage proposal that made everyone happy.
So when Flash’s phone rang, he was still enjoying the jovial mood. Looking at the screen, he saw it was Smiley calling.
“Hey. You’ll never guess what our team leader did. He finally got the nerve to ask Remi to marry him,” Flash said. “Looks as if another one is biting the dust,” he joked.
“That’s great. Listen, there’s no good way to say this, so I’m just gonna say it. Someone tried to burn down your apartment complex tonight.”
Flash’s blood ran cold.“What?”
“Everyone’s fine and it was caught before any real damage could be done. But from what the firefighters are saying, the origin was your balcony. Someone doused it with gas and made an incendiary device. A neighbor saw it smoking and called nine-one-one, then they were able to grab a hose from the apartment next to yours, and they got the fire under control before it did more than burn theshit out of the crap you had outside…like your grill and that patio chair.”
“Shit! All right. You’re okay?”
“Yeah. I was inside…and maybe it’s TMI to admit this, but I was in the bathroom. Didn’t hear a thing until the shouting outside from your neighbor.”
Flash’s stomach rolled. Smiley could’ve been hurt. Hell, an entire apartment complex full of people could’ve been hurt, or at the very least, lost everything. Thank God for his observant neighbor. He owed the man a beer. No, a lifetime supply of beer. “I’m going to drop Kelli off and then I’ll be right there.”
He was aware the conversation around the table had stopped and he was being stared at, but for the moment, all he could concentrate on was Smiley.
“No need. Things are fine here. I’ve given the detective on scene your phone number and gave him the rundown about Williams. I’m sure he’ll be in touch soon, and you might have to go in and give a statement, but things here are under control.”
