Page 63 of Cipher

“You’re mine. Now everyone else can see it too.”

It was as simple as that for him, which I loved.

Corbin kept one hand on my waist while he reached into the inner pocket of his cut with the other, pulling out a small black box.

“Oh my gosh,” I gasped

He opened it, and the ring inside caught what little light reached the overlook. A big emerald-cut diamond on a gold band, absolutely perfect and unmistakably permanent.

“The vest tells everyone you belong to me. The matching bands we’ll wear when you marry me will make it clear I’m yours too.”

I stared at the ring, then up at him, not making him wait for my answer. “Yes.”

The corner of his mouth curved the smallest amount. He took the ring out, slid it onto my finger, and then laced our hands together so the metal pressed between us.

“That’s it?” I asked, a little breathless. “No big speech?”

“You already know where I stand.” His thumb brushed over the band. “You’re mine. I’m yours. The rest is just paperwork that I could insert into the right systems myself if I didn’t know you wanted a wedding like Jacqueline had.”

I laughed softly before stretching up and kissing him. “Totally fair.”

The ride back felt different with his vest on my shoulders and ring on my finger. But in the best way possible.

When Corbin finally turned onto our road and the house came into view, a familiar vehicle was already parked in front of the porch.

My dad was there.

Corbin pulled up next to the Tahoe and shut the bike off. He steadied my waist while I swung off, then climbed off himself. I unclipped the helmet, the leather of the property vest shifting as I moved. Dad’s eyes went straight to the white lettering across my back, and his jaw tightened.

He climbed out of the truck slowly, his gaze moving from the vest to the ring on my hand, then to Corbin. “I came to help you pack your things.”

I bit my bottom lip, already recognizing his resigned tone, but Corbin started to answer. Dad held up a hand and stepped closer.

“I can see she’s staying.” He glared at Corbin. “So I’ll say this once. You hurt her, and there won’t be a hole deep enough⁠—”

“Dad.”

Both men looked at me.

I planted myself between them, my hands going to my sides. “The territorial stare down thing stopped impressing me about three threats ago. I’m wearing his name on my back and his ring on my finger. I’m staying. We’re good.”

Dad let out a deep sigh and dragged a hand down his face. Some of the fight drained out of his posture, even if the protectiveness didn’t. “You’re sure?”

I beamed a smile at him. “I’m sure.”

He nodded, still not looking thrilled but accepting my decision. Then he pulled me into a tight hug. “Love you, kiddo.”

“Love you too, Dad.”

He stepped back and gave Corbin one last hard look that promised consequences if he ever failed me before getting in his Tahoe and leaving.

Corbin’s hand settled at the small of my back as we watched the taillights disappear. “Inside.”

I let him tug me into the house, glad that my dad seemed on board with me becoming Mrs. Corbin Ralston. Probably sooner than he’d like, but at least I didn’t have to worry about him not wanting to walk me down the aisle to the man I planned to spend the rest of my life with.

When he locked the door behind us, I turned to face him and let the boldness from the claims he’d laid on me tonight carry me. “For a man who gets so bent out of shape about the word, you were quick to bring up breaking into government systems if I didn’t want a wedding. Which is why you’re my favorite hacker.”

His eyes darkened as he backed me against the door, pinning me there with his body. One hand braced against the hard surface beside my head. The other slid up and locked around the nape of my neck, tilting my face up to his.