“It will be. Stupid men.”
“I know.” This was so surreal. As the hours passed, they continued to hydrate them but food seemed to be forgotten.
She stopped panicking when the car came to a complete stop and the engine turned off.
“We’ve stopped.”
“I know.”
“This is the part where they’re going to kill us?” Anna-Beth asked. “I haven’t told Rix about the baby or how much I love him. I’ve wasted so much time.”
“Don’t panic.”
The doors opened up and this time she did scream. She didn’t know what happened to Elizabeth as she was carried somewhere, her arms still bound behind her back.
She was dumped on a bed. She screamed as the ties were cut off.
The man stepped back.
The room was still dark. A lock clicked into place.
At first, she didn’t move. Her heart raced.
Finally, she scrambled with her hood, tearing it off her face. Next, she worked her arms, wincing as she brought circulation back to them. Getting to her feet, she went straight to the door, trying the handle.
“It’s locked,” Rix said.
This made her jump, release a little scream, and turn to find him sitting in the corner of the darkened room. He turned the small lamp on, showing him in his full leather kit.
“Rix,” she said.
“Anna-Beth.”
“I don’t understand. Are you kidnapping me, or is this some kind of trick? I don’t know what to think.” She put a hand to her stomach protectively, realizing what he might think of that, she quickly moved it away, trying to calm her breaths. “What is going on?”
“You look beautiful.”
“I’m not really ready to play any of your games right now,” she said.
“Who said anything about playing games?” he asked. “I’m not playing. You’re beautiful and yes, it was my boys who found you and brought you to me.”
“Why?” she asked, frowning. “None of this is making any sense. Is Elizabeth okay?”
“I imagine she’s enjoying a cold beer while her dogs get fed.”
“She was in on it?”
“It was her idea.”
She shook her head. “Wow, you think you know people.”
“Elizabeth was only doing what she thought was right. She loves you.”
“Then tell me, Rix, why am I here?”
****
Rix had played this moment out in his mind so many times. So far, it hadn’t gone how he’d hoped. With her running into his arms, kissing him, loving him. That would have been too easy, and he hated that.
Now, he had to think of how she would understand his feelings.
“I can’t sell my house,” she said. “I think we broke the curse.” He saw the tears in her eyes.
“We didn’t break the curse.”
“Really? Could have fooled me. We saw the paperwork. We’re the only couple to not get together. To not find happiness. That’s got to say something.” She averted her gaze, looking down at the floor. “I’m sorry.”
“No need to be sorry.” He got up from his chair, moving toward her. “There is a reason we haven’t broken that curse, Anna-Beth.” He placed a finger beneath her chin. “And that is because, you and I, we’re not finished. We’re not ever going to be finished.” He tilted her head back. “Because I’m in love with you and I have no intention of letting you go. I didn’t handle everything as well as I could have. That’s on me, and I’m sorry for fucking it up. I didn’t mean to.”
He stroked her hair back from her face. “Do you know how beautiful you are?”
She frowned. “There’s something I need to tell you.”
“I know,” he said.
“I don’t think you do.”
He laughed. “Believe me, I know. I know about our baby. I know about everything. You don’t need to worry.” He kissed her lips. “I can’t believe you even for a second thought I could walk away from you. I couldn’t.”
“You love me?”
“Yes, more than anything. The past few weeks have been a nightmare. I wanted to come and get you sooner but I had club business and I had to take care of that first. I didn’t want to.”
She pressed a finger to his lips. “Don’t. You know about the baby and you’re in love with me?”
He nodded.
“How? When?”
He kissed her again, deepening the kiss and running his hands down her body to cup her generous ass. “I wanted you to get pregnant. I didn’t want this to end and I was worried once you realized who I am, and what I mean to the club, you’d walk away.”
“I … I thought you were trying to break up with me. I feel like such a fool.”
“You’re not a fool. Not even close.” He took possession of her mouth. “I love you so much it fucking hurts. I couldn’t stand being away from you. I didn’t want to. I never thought I’d find a woman to love with all my heart and soul, but I have. You’re that woman. You’re the woman I want for the rest of my life.”
“Oh, Rix, I love you too.” She started to cry.
“When you profess your love to a man, it’s usually supposed to make you really happy.”
“I am.” She laughed. “I am really happy.”
“Then what’s the matter?” he asked.
“I’m just. I’m so…”
“Marry me,” he said before she got a chance to finish.
“Marry you?”
“Yes. I want you to be my wife. The mother of all of my children.” He pressed a hand to her stomach. “I can’t wait to see you big with my child.”
“Yes, I’ll marry you. Yes, I want it all with you. Every single bit.” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “I never want a moment to go without being with you.”
He kissed her hard and smiled.
“Good, because I have everything ready.”
“Wait, what?”
“I have the priest, the witnesses.” He moved her toward the window and opened it up. “All of them are waiting for you.”
“Oh, my.”
He’d completed the backyard so they could get married within the clubhouse.
“Anna-Beth, you will be mine. You’ll be part of the club. You can never talk to anyone about what goes on here.”
“I get it.”
“It’s not always going to be fun.”
“I know but I love you and that’s all that matters.” She giggled, pressing her head against his. “I love you and yes, I want to marry you.”
He stepped out of her arms, hating to leave her. He opened the wardrobe. “Elizabeth’s idea. I figure you pick which one you love, and I’ll be downstairs. I don’t want to jinx us.”
“Rix?”
“Yeah, baby.”
“I love you.”
“I love you too. I’ll be at the altar.” He winked at her. “Don’t keep me waiting long.”
Elizabeth was outside the door with a smile on her lips. “Hello, handsome. So who has the best ideas in the world?”