I take a quick look over the large lobby and its grand staircase. It has black carpet littered with gold flecks that match the floor. The railing is also black, and a chandelier that looks like falling stars hangs down from the second-floor ceiling in the center of the staircase. The gold circle and K in the center are underneath my Gucci heels. I’ve been here more times than I can count over the past couple of weeks, but I’ve never seen it look like this.
Red roses are everywhere. So many, the smell of them is overwhelming. I love it. It reminds me of April’s flower shop. Petals are sitting on the floor and stairs. They also look to be wrapped around the railing that leads up the staircase.
“Like it?” Jasmine asks me.
“It’s gorgeous,” I say and look at her to see she’s already staring at April. “You did this?” I ask her, and she nods. She’s been so busy for the past few days that I haven’t gotten to spend much time with her. “It’s stunning.”
“I was hoping you’d approve,” she says. Her purple-painted lips are smiling so wide that it shows off her glowing white teeth.
I frown. “Why?”
All of their heads turn to look up at the stairs, and mine follow at their silence. My breath gets caught in my lungs when I see Dillan standing at the top dressed in a black button-up with the sleeves rolled up to show off his tatted arms and matching slacks with his hands tucked in the front pockets. He’s so gorgeous.
Lights start to flash from cell phones and cameras as people gather around. I take a quick look around and then focus my attention back on him when he starts making his way down the stairs. He takes the last step, and I realize my heart is pounding.
“Mia.” He takes my hands, and I hold my breath. The room is too silent for how many people have gathered around.
“Dillan.” I manage to breathe his name.
He shows me that smile that gives me butterflies in my stomach and makes my knees weak. “I’m sorry.”
I frown at the apology. My legs start wobbling while my brain tries to process what the hell is going on and why everyone is watching us.
“I once walked away from you.” He takes a step back, letting go of my right hand, and it drops to my side like a boulder off a cliff. “But if you give me the chance.” He reaches into the pocket of his slacks with his free hand and then drops to his knee. I hear someone gasp, but I’m not even breathing. “I promise I’ll spend the rest of my life by your side.” Letting go of my other hand, he pops open the black box in his hand, and I see the large red pear-shaped diamond in the center with a diamond halo around it.
This time, I gasp as my hands fly to my mouth. “Dillan.” His name is spoken softly on my trembling lips.
“I told you that you’d get to choose, Mia. I’m just hoping that you choose me.” He gives me a soft smile, before adding, “I love you, Mia. Will you—”
“Yes!” I shout, nodding my head quickly as I feel tears running down my face.
People start hollering, some laughing at how impatient I was and cutting him off. But he just gives me a big smile and slides the ring on my finger. He then stands, picks me up, and spins me around before placing his lips on mine and kissing me. My hands tangle in his hair, and I let him devour me as I moan into his mouth.
He pulls away too quickly and sets me back on my heels. “I can’t believe it.” I sniff, looking around at the flowers once again that he had the lobby decorated with. “All these people ...” Flashes are going off while they take pictures, and some are recording us. I never thought Dillan would be the kind of guy who would put on a show for others.
He reaches up, pushing a piece of hair behind my ear. “I want everyone to see how much you’re loved, Mia. You are my someone, and I wanted the world to know that.”
My body melts even more into his, and he wraps his free arm around my waist to hold me up. After spending a life in the dark, this King will show me what it’s like to be seen for who I am—his.
EPILOGUE TWO
BONES
MIA: WHEN WILL you be home?
Me: In about an hour. I type out the response to my fiancée and then pocket my cell. Looking up, I watch the man secured to the chair in the middle of the room. He thrashes in it, trying to break the rope that Titan tied him up with.