My dad lifts his eyebrows. "Good," he says, "because I need to make you an offer."
"An offer?" Flynn asks. "What kind?"
"One I hope you can't refuse. You told my daughter you were a bodyguard. Let's make it official. Sure as hell seems like I need some protection. Right now, I have none. Sure, I work for the O'Malleys, but I don't carry a gun when I do their dealings. I work big picture, use my shipping business to bring supplies where they're needed. I don't walk the streets of Vegas, doing the dirty work. I thought that kept me safe enough, out of the limelight, away from the danger. But I'm realizing... hell, more than realizing. I know I need someone who has my back. You told my daughter you were a bodyguard. So become mine."
"You mean it?" Flynn asks my dad.
My father takes his hand, shakes with Flynn. "I mean it. Work for me."
"I don't know if I can do that, sir," Flynn says, surprising me.
"Why not?" I ask, indignant.
"Because Fiona lives in Los Angeles. She loves the beach. I'm not going to leave her there," he says, turning to me. "I love you, Fiona. If you'll have me, I'm yours, and I'm sure as hell not having you hundreds of miles away."
Cane runs a hand over his jaw. "I hadn't thought about that."
I light up. "It's okay," I say, meaning it. "I can change plans. I love the beach, but we can always go there for vacation, can't we?"
I smile at Flynn, knowing my words surprise him, but I mean them wholeheartedly. Sure, I had an idea of what I wanted my life to be, but what if it could be so much better than I ever imagined?
"So you're not kicking me out?" he asks.
I shake my head. "Never."
My dad laughs. "Sure didn't think this was how the day was going to go. Here I was, planning on catching up on some paperwork."
"That paperwork is going to have to wait," Flynn says, "because I have something I need to ask you."
"What is it?” Cane asks.
"I need to know if I have your permission, your blessing, to marry your daughter."
My eyes widen with shock. "Do you mean it?" I ask Flynn.
He grins. "Hell, yeah, I do. But I know your dad means everything to you. I need to know what he thinks."
Daddy shakes his head. "I just want my little girl to be happy. And it turns out you make her happier than I've ever seen her. If this is what one day looks like, I can only imagine a year, a lifetime. I don't know you well, hell, I don't know you at all. But I do know this: I owe you my life. And because of that, yes, you can marry my daughter. God knows I couldn't tell her no, anyways."
I smile. "Thank you, Daddy!" And I run into Flynn's arms. I wrap my legs around his waist and I kiss him hard. I kiss him good. "I love you," I say, "even if..."
Flynn's eyes darken. "Even if my past isn't as nice as you'd like?"
"Whatever you've been through," I tell him, honestly, "it's made you the man you are today."
"Will you marry me?" he asks. The words are so unexpected and so ridiculously perfect. There's only one way to answer.
"Yes, I'll marry you, but first, tell me your last name.”
I chuckle, and offer her my hand. “Fiona, I’d like to formally introduce myself. I’m Flynn Royal, your fiancé.”
She exhales, happiness filling her eyes. “I’ll marry you tonight, Flynn Royal.”
"Tonight?" I chuckle. "You want to elope?"
Daddy shakes his head, holds up a hand. "No, no, no, no, no. I gave you permission to marry this man, Fiona, but you better give me the honor of throwing my only daughter a big ass wedding."
I smile. "Fine, Daddy.” I whisper in Flynn’s ear, “But that doesn't mean we can't have some fun right now." The things I want to do with Flynn need to be done in a room with a locked door. I don't have time to leave this house, though. I need to be with Flynn right now, today.
There's a knock on the door, and Flynn sets me down.
"I think it's the men coming for the bodies. You get to your bedroom," he tells me. "I'll come find you once they’re gone."
I leave the study, telling both of them that I love them.
"My room's the first door on the right, at the top of the landing," I tell Flynn before walking away.
In my bedroom, I close the door and I undress quickly, with eager anticipation. I want to be with Flynn again, more than I want anything else. Somehow, we've just decided I'll be with him for the rest of my life, and it makes everything more perfect than I ever imagined.