Page 112 of Twisted Control

I rub my eyes.

“She’s upset,” Finn continues. “She’s overwhelmed. So you need to give her something bigger than the fear. Something romantic enough to short-circuit her brain.”

I hate where this is going.

“There’s this engagement ring she’s obsessed with,” he says. “Huge diamond. Completely obscene.”

“I’m not proposing⁠—”

“You show up with that ring, get down on one knee, tell her you’re done with the violence and ready to spend the rest of your life worshipping the ground she walks on…” Finn laughs softly, clearly loving every second of this. “Honestly, she might forgive almost anything.”

“What ring?” I ask.

I drag a hand down my face.

This is insane. I’ve never been the marrying type. Never wanted the settled-down life. But if getting on one knee is what it takes to get Grace back…then fine. I’ll do it. I’ll do whatever it takes. Because losing her isn’t an option.

“You couldn’t afford it in a million years,” Finn says. “But lucky for you, I’m feeling charitable.”

“And what exactly do you get out of this?” I ask.

Finn’s voice turns smooth and vicious. “The satisfaction of watching my father lose his mind when his perfect daughter runs off with the hired muscle. I want him to suffer. You give me that, and I’ll make sure you get the girl.”

I stare at the wall for a long second.

Grace is worth it. Even if it means making a deal with this smug prick.

“Fine,” I mutter.

I hate that this lunatic is currently my closest ally.

“Give me the afternoon,” Finn says. “I’ll sort out the ring.”

Before we hang up, I ask the question that’s been sitting in my stomach.

“That guy at your place…the one who got shot. He alright?”

“The one you shot?” Finn says dryly. “He drove himself to the hospital, so I guess so.”

Great. The only thing worse than killing Levi is knowing he’s still alive. I didn’t even try to kill him. Even with his gun aimed at me and adrenaline screaming through my veins, I aimed for the shoulder. He’s got a kid to look after, after all. But right now, I need him out of commission long enough for Grace and me to disappear.

Finn rattles off his personal number before hanging up without another word.

I slowly lower the receiver.

Right.

I guess I’m going to propose.

I’ve walked into armed standoffs without my pulse changing. I’ve pulled triggers with steady hands and slept fine afterward. But the thought of getting down on one knee in front of Grace and asking her to spend the rest of her life with me scares me more than any gun ever has.

Still, that fear is nothing compared to the alternative.

Never seeing her again.

Never watching her roll her eyes at me, pretending to be annoyed when she secretly loves it. Never hearing that distinct laugh she has when she’s being a total brat and knows it. Never fighting with her, never making up with her, never seeing her light up when she finally lets herself be wild and messy and completely free.

I clench my jaw, the decision settling in my chest.