Page 102 of Scarred Hearts

She left around 3:00 p.m. and Luca and I gathered our belongings just before Tyler and the kids arrived to get us. Cars lined the enormous driveway of their Brookline mansion when we pulled in. Tyler found a parking place next to Luke and Jade’s Escalade and when we got to the front door, he opened it, allowing me through first but the kids were excited and pushed by, shouting their cousins’ names.

He and Luca set our bags on the floor in the foyer by the wall and rounded the corner through the house until we came to the den. All the kids zoomed by again in their swimsuits, into the kitchen and out the back door. We followed them outside to see everyone, including Jade’s brother and his family.

After exchanging greetings with everyone, Tyler took my hand in his, calling back over his shoulder, “We’ll be back in a bit. Jen, watch the kids, cool?”

“We got our eyes on them,” she responded.

Watching him with a creased brow as he led me back through the house and out the front door, I asked, “Where are we going?”

“I want to talk to you in private in the front.”

He guided me over to an enormous tree on the side of the front yard, near the brick wall. “I planted this tree with my father thirty years ago. Today is the anniversary of that day.” His eyes trailed up to the top and back down to me.

“It’s really pretty, what kind is it?”

“I have no clue,” he laughed, then brought his gaze to mine, “but the leaves always change bright red at the beginning of fall, and I always loved it.” He turned toward the house, pointing up at the window on the upper far left. “That’s Dylan’s room now but it used to be mine. Every day, I’d look outside to see if the tree was growing at all. It was about four years old when we planted it, I think.”

“That’s really cute.” I smiled. “Looks like it grew just fine.” I twisted back toward the tree.

“Yeah. I’m glad Ian saved this house from going to another family. This place will always be special.” He slipped his hand in his black track pants pocket, taking out a bright-pink leather ring box, and I grinned wide. He opened it, flashing a huge pink radiant diamond with white pear-shaped halo diamonds around it.

I gasped, “Ty.”

“I promised you I was getting you a ring,” he said, taking it out and placing the box in his pocket. Before I could protest about the expensive present, he continued, “I know we’re technically already engaged, but I want to do this right. I pushed my feelings back for you but I’m certain now they never left.” He lowered himself to his knee. “I spoke to Frankie this morning, and he told me I’m to never bow to anyone after tonight, but understand I’ll only ever bow to you.” He smiled up at me. “Life gave us a second chance, and I’m not fucking it up again. I’m utterly obsessed with everything about you, and I love you more than anything I can ever put into words. Will you marry me?”

“Yes!” I beamed as he slid the ring on and stood, pressing his lips to mine.

When I reluctantly peeled myself away, I looked over at the house to see Amber, Jenna, and Jade with their noses pressed against the bay window in the living room staring out at us. They were cheering, and I could faintly hear their celebration through the glass.

“Um,” I giggled, lifting my chin at them, “she’s not watching the kids.”

“Damnit,” he sighed, taking my hand in his and leading us back to the house.

The minute we stepped inside, we were bombarded with congratulations and Jenna explained that the kids were being watched by the guys out back. The girls examined my ring, oohing and ahhing at it, before we joined everyone else in the back.

I stripped down to my bright orange bikini and joined Tyler and the kids in the pool. Maddie swam over instantly, giving me a hug before climbing on her dad’s shoulders and playing chicken with Jackson. It was really the first time I felt like I was living a normal life with family and true, close friends. Even growing up, my life wasn’t anything like the scene before me. Dangerous men acting like normal husbands and fathers at home, was the life I’d dreamed about.

But just like all good things, the evening came to an end after dinner when it was time for Tyler’s ceremony. Nico and Ice Man followed in Nico’s Jeep while Luke drove Ian, Luca, Tyler, and I in his Escalade to The Green Knight in South Boston. The pub was normally buzzing with activity, but there was no life tonight.

The curtains were pulled over the large windows. The black exterior appeared darker tonight as the lights were all turned off. Only little glimmers peeked through the top of the curtains. A sign hung on the door:

CLOSED FOR INVENTORY

With a smooth, graceful motion, Ian stepped ahead of us and opened the heavy oak door. I could feel the weight of Frankie’s and Angelo’s eyes on us as we entered, their presence looming over the room. The solid thud of the door closing reverberated through the silence as Ian locked us inside.

My father’s five trusted capos stood stoically beside a large, polished table that dominated the center of the room. My other brothers stood along the wall, their eyes fixed intently on me. Luca joined them. I approached Angelo and Frankie with a sense of excitement and nervousness coiling in my stomach. I embraced them both before pivoting to face Tyler, my heart racing.

He gripped my hips. “You sure you’re okay with this?”

Standing on my toes, I pressed my lips to his before pulling away. “Positive as long as you’re okay with it?”

He nodded once, giving my right side a squeeze before stepping in front of Angelo and Frankie. “I’m ready.”

I took a step to the side, examining the table. It was littered with a binder full of papers, a white linen napkin with a dagger laying in the center of it, and a white flickering candle. Taking a deep breath, I glanced at Ian and Luke, who positioned themselves on each side of me.

“Gun,” Angelo said, holding out his hand.

Tyler reached behind him, taking his gun out and laying it in Angelo’s palm.

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