Page 132 of Exile and Embrace

He nods. “It is, but if you don’t think that I should take the offer, then I’ll tell him that and see what else he is willing to have me do.”

Even though I’d love to tell him to walk away from the mob and leave that life behind, I know that isn’t Finn.

He excels at what he does. He’s got a head for running a criminal empire, even if that isn’t what most people would consider an asset.

“You’re going to be the best mob leader Oregon has ever seen.” I cross the room and throw my arms around him.

“I’m glad that you think so.” He spins me around again, peppering kisses up and down my neck before letting me go. “I have something else I want to talk to you about.”

He takes my hand and pulls me into the backyard.

Lights are strung from the trees, and our friends are gathered around the back side of the yard.

Zoe has a camera pointed in my direction as Finn takes off his gold chain and hands it to me.

He clears his throat, looking down at me like I’m the only person in the world. “I wanted to give you this first. I thought that it would be something you could wear your rings on when you go back to nursing. My mom would want you to have it.”

My eyes water as he loops the chain around my neck. It nestles in the hollow where my other necklace used to hang.

I haven’t been able to bring myself to put the necklace from my father on since we got back from Tennessee. Too many bad memories are attached to it.

Finn smiles and traces his finger along the gold chain before getting to one knee.

My hand flies to my mouth as he pulls out a little white box. “What are you doing?”

“What I should have done when I first asked you to be engaged to me, but this time, it’s real.”

He gives me a crooked grin that sends my heart racing.

I hold back the tears as Zoe moves closer, her finger pressing down on the shutter button rapidly.

Finn flicks open the box, but I can’t tear my gaze away from him long enough to look at the ring.

“Aves, I’ve been in love with you for the last three years, even if we’ve only been together for the last several months. Seeing you in that prison every day was what kept me going when I felt like giving up.”

I sniffle, trying to fight the emotions flowing through me. “You would have been fine without me.”

“No, I wouldn’t. You are everything to me. When I told you that I was going to Oregon, I never thought that you would force me to take you. Not in a million years did I ever think that you would fall in love with me.”

My smile makes my cheeks ache. “How could I not fall in love with you? Finn, you’re everything that I’ve ever wanted.”

“Good, because I want to spend the rest of our lives together. We’ve spent too many years just dancing around each other. I love you so damn much. Marry me, Aves?”

“Yes.” I wipe away the tears as he stands and takes the ring from the box.

My hand shakes as he slides it onto my finger.

I glance down at the amethyst for a second before throwing my arms around him.

Finn chuckles, his arms like vices around my waist as he holds me close.

“I was going to wait to take you somewhere special, but if I did that, I was never going to work up the nerve to propose.” He pulls back and kisses me, nipping at my bottom lip in a promise of what’s to come later.

“I love you, Finn.”

“I love you too, Aves.”

He grins as music starts blaring through speakers hidden somewhere in the yard.

---