Page 91 of Guarded from Corruption

With a laugh, I say, “I don’t want that.” And I open the door.

“Niall!” Shea slams into me, hugging me tightly. “It’s about time.” Then she steps back and smacks my arm hard enough to bruise. “And I can’t believe you waited so long to tell me.”

“Sorry,” I start, but Shea’s attention has already shifted.

“Jade!” Shea sprints across the room and launches herself at Jade.

Jade gasps and springs up from the couch, but the force of Shea’s hug knocks them both back onto it. “Shea. You came.”

“How could I not?” Shea flicks a sour glance at me. “Once I finally found out what was going on.”

“It’s not his fault,” Jade says quickly. “We both… I know. I’m sorry. I was just so worried…”

“Stop.” Shea yanks Jade onto the cushion next to her. “Don’t apologize.”

I make a cautious approach, not wanting Shea to smack me again, and sit on Jade’s other side. “It was more my idea, Shea.”

Shea shakes her head, her lips twisting into a wry smile. “No way. I know Jade. She would have wanted to protect me as much as you.” Then she hugs Jade again. “I’m so sorry I wasn’t here for you. That you were going through all this on your own.”

“Ahem.” It’s loud. Intentional. “I was here. My team. Jade wasn’t alone.”

“I wasn’t,” Jade adds. “Niall. His friends… they’ve been wonderful.” Tears brim in her eyes. “Beyond wonderful. And you know I wanted to tell you. Especially about Niall. I was just so worried you’d come and I’d drag you into this.”

“It’s okay,” I murmur, taking Jade’s hand.

Shea softens. “I understand. I do. If the positions had been reversed… but I would have come, Jade. Stayed here with you. Supported you.” There’s a pause as Shea’s gaze skips to mine. “Or… maybe this worked out better.”

Jade squeezes my hand. “Niall and I… but are you okay with this? Niall and I being together?”

There’s a hint of worry in Jade’s voice, so I wrap my arm around her shoulder and draw her closer to me.

Shea snorts. “Are you kidding me? Why do you think I was always talking about you guys to each other? Saying how amazing you both were?”

She looks between Jade and I, grinning. “I’ve been hoping you two would work this out before you’re old and gray. Especially now that you’re living so close to each other.”

“Well…” Jade says slowly, “That’s one thing I didn’t mention on the phone.”

“Jade’s living with me,” I add. “Here. At Blade and Arrow. And when the time is right, I’m going to ask her to marry me.”

“What?” Shea gasps. “Are you serious?”

Jade glances over at her. “Would that be okay?”

“Of course it would be okay!” Shea flings herself at me and Jade. “It’s more than okay. Then you’ll be my sister for real. It’s freaking amazing!” Shea pulls back and pins me with a glare. “You’d better check with me about the ring. And the proposal.”

Jade looks at me, eyes sparkling, a huge smile on her face. “Niall can give me any ring and propose however he wants. I’ll say yes.”

And I almost do it. Right here. But when I propose to Jade, she deserves for it to be perfect.

So, as Shea makes little gagging sounds in the background, I frame Jade’s face and kiss her deeply. Then I whisper, “I love you. I can’t wait to propose. And I can’t wait to spend my life with you.”

Jade’s gaze holds mine, showing me everything. “I love you, Niall. It’s always been you. And I can’t wait to spend my life with you, too.”

EPILOGUE

2 Months Later

JADE

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