Page 124 of The Blackmail of Denise Randall

“I love it when we do anything. I didn’t feel like we’d be officially engaged if we didn’t argue a little.”

“We’re engaged…” I don’t think I’ve ever smiled so big before in my entire life. “How? How did you pull this off?”

“Amira. She knew some people and helped me pull a few strings. The kids, who adore you by the way, did the brunt of the work. They picked out the designs, and were fucking brave enough to get up there.”

“I don’t know what to say.”

“Well… you could’ve already said yes… that was good enough for me.” We both laugh, and he holds me tightly. “Future Mrs. Denise Sloan. Do you want to keep the name Randall?”

I shrug. “I may keep it at work. I’ve established the name as my brand.”

“As long as I can call you Mrs. Sloan in the bedroom.” He smiles into my neck and then nips my earlobe. I realize that people are still around and watching us.

“Maybe we should head back to the hotel room.”

He moans his approval into my neck.

“Now take me away, fiancé.”

When I was a little girl, I grew up believing my family was cursed, making me their cursed princess. It was easy for me to believe those lies, because I didn’t used to be a good person. So rather than admitting I wasn’t a good person, I’d search for any excuse to try and justify why I was the way I was; however, no longer will I hold my past sins or my family’s over my head. At one time, I felt I was put in the shadows by others, but I put myself there. I let insecurities and drugs become the star of my show, and keep me in the dark. But I’ve learned and I’ve grown. I owe a big part of my growth to my family for always loving me. And most of all, to the love of my life. He showed me how easy life can be when you get out of your head and follow your heart. When you stop worrying about people around you that don’t really matter, because you’re so focused on the love of the ones that do. I’m not ashamed of my past, because my journey isn’t over. I’m not ashamed of my name or who I am. I’m Denise Randall.

---