I smoothed two fingers over my new Vice President patch. Charlie growled again and the next thing I knew, I was doused with a shower of whatever we had on tap. Ava's bright laughter filled my soul as she got drenched as well. Sly picked her up and twirled her. She leaned down and kissed the top of Tiny's head. He sat beside her, already half in the bag. Ava adjusted the sling around his shoulder where it began to sag.
We drank and ate and told a dozen war stories. Well, at least the ones safe for mixed company ... hell, we told a few that weren't. But it was good and right and I was home. Later, I leaned back in my chair in the corner of the bar and watched as my girl wiped the floor with Colt and Sawyer at darts. Her eyes traveled to mine now and again and I knew she was happy.
Two weeks ago, I'd offered to leave the club for her if I couldn't have both of them. In the end, I didn't think it was much of a choice. But Ava did. She told me she never wanted to mold me into something I wasn't. She wanted me, all of me. And the club was part of me too. We were more alike than I realized all those years ago when we were in the blush of our twenties. We both lived on the edge of danger and thrived there. And we both knew what it was like to lose everything and survive it. Instead of making me choose her over the club, she chose me instead, and everything that I was.
The club was safe. Londo had kept his word and Pagano's crew had moved out of their businesses in Green Bluff. If the club kept its word not to ever inform on them, we would go our separate ways. The Great Wolves were one hundred percent legitimate and we'd done it in less than a decade.
So here, with my brothers around me, my new patch on my chest, I knew the time was right. I reached into my jeans pocket and pulled out the ring I'd picked just for her. Simple. Strong. Clean. A two karat round stone set on a wide, gold band.
A few of the guys gave me knowing glances as I walked up to Ava. I touched her arm lightly and she turned. She was a little drunk, we all were, but her eyes were clear and bright as they widened when I held the ring before her.
"Dex," she whispered.
"Baby," I said. "I love you. Be my wife. Finally."
Ava smiled and tears formed at the corner of her eyes. I had more to say. A whole speech prepared. She stopped me with a kiss and closed her fingers around the ring.
"You said you'd walk away from everything but me," she said, her voice clear and strong. Everyone in the club had grown quiet and they formed a circle around us. "That's never what I wanted so I'll make you a promise instead."
"Aggh," Charlie bellowed again. Sawyer and Colt slapped him in the shoulders to quiet him. Ava turned back to me.
"Dex, I promise that wherever you go, you'll have me right beside you."
Then I slipped the ring on her finger and pulled my Ava close. A cheer rose in the crowd as I picked her up and kissed her.
The End