“Safe.” He stroked a hand down her back. “What would you say if I told you I was serious about that nonprofit we talked about? I can’t save them all, but I can save some of them, and you could help with that. Hell, I don’t know if I can do it without you. These women deserve their freedom.”
She framed his face with her hands. “I’d say yes.” I’m going to have it all—the man, the dream, the life I was always too scared to let myself want. She smiled, her mind already whirling with plans. The Hallorans didn’t have the same reputation in the elite circles of Boston that the O’Malleys did, but that wouldn’t make a difference in the long run. James could be charming when he wanted to, and she knew how to navigate that part of society. Once she got the foundation set up for the nonprofit, they’d have those people eating out of the palms of their hands.
Even better, they’d be doing some serious good in the world while they built their power base.
A year ago, if someone had asked her where she’d end up if she ever got her freedom, she never would have said in Halloran territory, a stone’s throw from the part of Boston she’d fought so hard to escape. But it wasn’t the same thing at all. She was choosing this life—choosing James and everything that came with him. It made all the difference in the world. “You, James Halloran, are a good man. I love the shit out of you, and I’d happily share the rest of my life.” She grinned. “You know, when you get around to proposing.”
“Lovely, the world isn’t going to know what hit it.”