“She reached out a couple of times when I was in Voda,” I admitted, “but I didn’t answer or return her calls. Deep down I didn’t know what to say.”
“And she gets that. No one is mad at you. I promise.”
“I’m sorry I haven’t been more honest about my feelings.”
“There’s been a lot of that going around. Don’t give it another thought, okay?”
We kissed, gently and sweetly, and it was like the weight of the world suddenly lifted from my shoulders.
“Will you take me to bed?” I whispered against his mouth.
“Will you move in with me?”
“Yes.”
“Then yes.” He got to his feet and scooped me up in his arms.
“You’re going to carry me all the way upstairs?” I laughed.
“I’ll carry you anywhere you want to go.”
“I love you, Axel.”
“I love you too, babe.”
Epilogue
Axel
I had a big surprise planned for Solange tonight, so I was worried when she didn’t get up to our suite in time for our dinner date. She’d moved in with me a few weeks ago and while my time here as a Royal Protector was coming to an end, I still had a lot to do. I’d talked her into staying until after the holidays, because the team needed me and I figured she didn’t want to be alone in a new city over Christmas anyway. It also gave her time to rebuild the relationships she’d had with everyone here. Even though we were leaving, that was still important to me because these people were important to me, and deep down I kept hoping she’d change her mind about us moving.
I’d done the research about taking Solange with me to the U.S., and even though we had a lot of options because of Erik’s diplomatic status, the easiest would be for us to get married. In my head, we were going to do that anyway, so there was no point in waiting. I was planning to propose—properly—tonight, but Solange was nowhere to be found. I wasn’t really worried since I knew she was in the palace, but as time ticked by, I reached out to Joe via text.
AXEL: Do you know where Solange is?
JOE: Meeting with Sandor.
AXEL: Thanks.
I put away my phone and frowned. Solange had made up with all her friends here at the palace, but she and Sandor kind of danced around each other these days. He still intimidated her and since he wasn’t a touchy-feely kind of guy, it would have been out of character for him to take the first step towards a reconciliation. He’d been doing his job with regard to the investigation, so in his mind, he probably didn’t have anything to apologize for. While he was right, I wished he and Solange would clear the air before we left. I was hoping to stay on as a Protector at least temporarily by taking over protecting Sasha for however long she was at school, but we hadn’t come to an official agreement about that yet.
I heard her key in the lock and quickly got to my feet. I’d been starting to get worried but she didn’t seem at all upset as she came in and put down her bag.
“Hi. Sorry I’m late! I…” Her voice faded as she looked around.
The lights were low and I’d had a special dinner delivered with champagne chilling and candles all over the room.
“Hey.” I reached for her, lightly kissing her lips. “I was getting worried.”
“I was with Sandor—what’s going on?”
“I had a romantic evening planned,” I said lightly. “Is everything okay?”
“Yes. I…” Her voice faded and she looked up at me. “I’m so sorry, my love. I didn’t realize you’d planned something for us.”
“It’s okay. It was supposed to be a surprise, but that’s what happens when you plan surprises. What were you and Sandor talking about?”
“Many things.” She glanced over at the table. “And I’m starving. Do you want to talk while we eat?”
“Of course.”
We sat across from each other and I poured champagne for us.
Fuck.
I was supposed to be running the show tonight, but she was derailing my plans, and the longer it went on, the more nervous I got. She looked anxious to talk, though, so I let her.
“First, I need to apologize again.”
I shook my head. “There’s nothing for you to apologize for. Haven’t we had this conversation already?”
“Well, yes and no. This is different.” She took a sip of champagne and then reached across the table for my hand. “I’ve been so selfish. Even after we got back together and I moved to the palace, I didn’t really think about your sacrifice—what you were giving up for me. And I can’t do that to you.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Leaving the Protectors. I know you don’t want to and, if I’m honest with myself, I don’t want to leave Limaj. I mean, I wouldn’t mind living in the U.S. for a while to get to know your country, and I definitely want to visit, but this is home. Not just my home, but also yours. These men are your extended family and I can’t force you to choose.”
“I already chose,” I said quietly, my eyes meeting hers. “I won’t say I’m not a little sad about leaving this job, but not nearly as sad as I was without you.”
“But you don’t have to choose,” she whispered. “Because I want you to stay. And I want to stay too.”
“Baby, are you sure?” My heart was pounding a little faster now.
“How could I love you the way I say I do if I force you to do something you truly don’t want to do? It’s taken me a while to get it straight in my head but…”
“But Sandor talked you into it?” I asked carefully.
She shook her head. “No. He offered me a job, but I’d already made up my mind. I was going to tell you at Christmas, as part of your gift, but after talking to him tonight, I don’t want to wait that long.”
“What kind of job?” I asked softly.
“In the new cyber division of the Royal Protectors.” She smiled shyly. “I’ll never be badass like you, but I’d like to think what I’ll be doing is also important. And, believe it or not, if you’d still like to be Sasha’s bodyguard while she’s at university, he’ll send us together. In my case, I’d be able to take some high-level computer classes that will help me in my work with Jonas. He’s also going to arrange for me to learn some basic bodyguard skills at Westfield & Carruthers. Assuming that’s okay with you?”
Her eyes glittered with so much excitement, all I could do was lean over and kiss her. “Of course it’s okay with me. I want whatever you want… Are you sure that’s what you want?”
“More than anything except you.”
This was my chance and I didn’t hesitate to drop to one knee, digging the ring out of my pocket and holding out the small velvet box.
“Will you marry me, Solange?” My voice was deep and gravelly, filled with all the emotion in my heart, making it a little hard to talk.
“Oh.” Her eyes rounded with surprise as she stared at the ring. It was one she’d fallen in love with at the jewelry store in Voda. I’d called her old boss, asking if there had been anything in particular she’d liked, and she’d immediately told me about this ring.