Page 239 of Allegiance

And he did.

He hugged Violet and left a kiss on the top of her head.

“I will protect you, Kiddo, I swear on my life.”

She held onto him, crying.

That was all she wanted in life.

THIS.

When he finally set her free, he wiped her tears on his shirt and then focused on Eve.

“And I’ll love you as my wife until the day I die. You’re mine to protect, Evie.”

He lifted her chin and kissed her on the mouth. As he did, his whole family started clapping.

There were whistles and applause for a man who finally figured it out. It took years, but he’d gotten it right when the right woman came into his world.

His family congratulated him.

“I’m so damn glad Elizabeth didn’t hear about this,” Zayn said. “We all lost the bet to her.”

From behind him, someone cleared their throat.

That’s when he knew the truth.

“Oh, for shit’s sake. She’s on the screen behind me, isn’t she?” he asked.

Jagger laughed because she was, and Zayn had an uncanny ability to say the worst stuff at the wrong times.

“You had to know we were calling her,” he said.

“I would have kicked your asses had you not,” Elizabeth said, smiling from the screen.

Yeah, she’d told them not to bother her, but for this…yeah, it was worth it.

Know who wasn’t smiling but instead, was staring with his mouth open?

The judge.

“What? Never seen the Deputy Director on the TV screen of a mob man?” she asked. “Close the piehole, your honor. You’re catching flies.”

Oh, this guy had to be so damn confused.

Jagger laughed as he reassured him.

“Don’t ask because it’s complicated. Instead, take the money and run,” he said.

That was the best advice they could give the judge.

Before he could say anything, Elizabeth continued.

“Dakota Rakin, FINALLY,” she said. “We want to be the second ones to congratulate you,” she said, panning her tablet to show him that she wasn’t the only one watching.

Her husbands were too.

“And we want to be the first to say keep your mouth off our wife,” Callen said, smiling. “Or we’re telling yours.”

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