“Husband?”
“Yes, you will be my wife,” he said. He let go of her long enough to grab something out of his jacket. He held up aring. “Noelle, you will be my wife.”
“That’s not how proposals work,” she said, laughing. “You’re supposed to ask.”
“And give you the chance to turn me down?” He shook his head. “Not happening. You are mine, Noelle. All mine, and I’m not going to do anything that will take you away from me. That was what I was doing today. I talked with the Franco Mafia to make sure you’re safe. That was what I was doing.” He pressed a kiss to her lips. “It’s what I will always do.”
She reached up and pressed her fingers to his lips. “Stop.” She licked her lips and then held her hand up. “Yes, Evil. Yes, I will be your wife.”
Evil slid the ring onto her finger, and much to her surprise, it was indeed, the perfect fit.
“I’m going to give you everything.”
Noelle smiled as she didn’t want everything. All she wanted was him and to have a family with him. Only him. Foralways.
Epilogue
Five years later
If Evil’s enemies could see him now, they wouldn’t believe him. Setting up his front lawn becausehis son had asked him to for Halloween, he would not be taken seriously. He’d also told his men they had to dress as either zombies or something spooky as his son had taken a turn to loving horror.
Noelle didn’t know where he got it from, seeing as she couldn’tstand horror.
Evil wasn’t going to tell his wife that he allowed his son to sometimes stay up with him. Yes, completely irresponsible, but his son loved it. It had resulted in him having to go shopping for Halloween.
Stepping back at the coffin he’d installed, he saw his son, Ben, high-five one of the zombies and then come running toward him.
“Mommy baked cookies.”
“I think it’s time we go and steal one.” He helped Ben onto his shoulders as they walked into the house.
Noelle was in the kitchen. Last week, she had been working from her grandmother’s recipe book. The first year they’d been married, he’d gotten her everything she needed, it had been an experience and a half. Noelle had cried a great deal as she followed each recipe, recanting old tales of her as a child.
The love she had for her grandmother was so freaking sweet and beautiful. Entering the kitchen, he saw his little girl Beatrice at the counter, rubbing her hands into whatever food she was supposed to be eating.
His heavily pregnant wife was at the counter, piping bag in hand, decorating some cookies.
He hadn’t been kidding when it came to keeping her barefoot and pregnant. Five years together, two children, with a third on the way.
“Mommy!” Ben said.
She looked up and smiled.
Noelle had flour on her cheek, and he didn’t know why, but it made him love her even more so. She was an amazing mom. During her pregnancy with Ben, she had been terrified, and she’d wake up in the night, worried she’d be awful.
He would have to console her, promise her that he would make sure she never turned into her mother. That she would be loved. That they were nothing like their parents. Noelle wouldn’t drink or do drugs, and he wouldn’t abandon them.
They had each other, and Evil was so fucking thankful for that every single day.
“Have you two nearly finished?” Noelle asked.
“Yeah, it looks amazing.” Ben opened hisarms wide.
Noelle chuckled.
Evil helped his son down and placedhim on the counter. Glancing over at the frosted cookies, he tried to keep his face neutral.
Noelle had a knack for preserving, cooking, and baking.When it came to decorating, it was a mess.