Page 190 of Hell Breaks Loose

He’s so strong, though, and so much calmer than the high-strung man he used to be.

“Fine, minus the fact that the florist delivered the sloppiest arrangements I’ve ever seen. Two of the table cloths don’t match and Genevieve’s plane was late…” he snaps, not at me.

Like I said. Less high-strung.

He’s still so Evan.

Turning his assessing gaze on me, his eyes soften.

“That dress is…”

“One of the ones you gave me.”

“That’s why it’s perfect.”

“Just like the rest of the day…”

“Right. I’ll let it go.” He raises his hands in defeat.

“And come enjoy the party?”

“Absolutely, but first…” Evan takes my hand, leading me toward the dance floor near the DJ.

“Wait here.”

I spot them clustered together off to the side. Tell and Gavin, nervously whispering. Evan trots over, pointing between them.

All three turn toward me at once, a line of masculine perfection in all three of my favorite flavors. Exquisite.

Honey and sun-kissed tan. A smile that could outshine the sun.

Smooth-shaven, jet black, pristine. One gaze could knock me off my feet.

And sandy, trim, stacked and powerful. No one in the world makes me feel safer.

They’re halfway to me when the music fades.

All three of them look like they might pass out.

Pressing my lips together, I wait, my hands clasped in front of me.

Our closest friends gather, sensing the moment, the tension. Our world is silent. Breath held. Waiting for…

Evan opens his mouth to speak. “Hellena, you are?—”

And I drop to one knee in front of them.

Slipping out a deep purple, velvet box. Popping it open.

Gavin’s the first to look confused. Tell’s eyes bug out of his head.

And Evan DeSante is catching flies.

And Ora Clive is whooping and hollering at the back of the crowd, cheering me on.

“I am in love with you.” I say it three times, meeting each of their stunned gazes. “And I want to spend the rest of my life this way.”

“We feel…” Gavin finds his words first.

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