Page 10 of Fallen Saint

I'm on top of the fucking world.

A producer clears his throat behind me. "We're ready for the two of you."

I ignore him for a moment and finish kissing the lipstick from Pen's lips before reluctantly releasing her. She blinks up at me with glossy eyes, her lips kiss-swollen, and her cheeks flushed.

"You messed up my makeup," she mumbles without heat.

"You're fucking beautiful," I whisper back, pressing my forehead to hers.

Her blinding smile makes my cock throb as I slip my arm around her waist and turn to face the producer—a short, balding man who grins at us like we just dangled bags of money in front of him with that kiss. He has no idea.

"We're ready," I mutter as Pen fidgets beside me.

He helps mic me up and then turns to get Pen situated, but I quickly shuffle him aside. There's no way he's putting his hands on her when mine work just fine. She rolls her eyes at me but can't hide her smile. I've been doing the same damn thing for five years. I'm surprised it's taken her this long to figure out it wasn't just me being protective. It's me being a possessive asshole. No one touches her except me.

As soon as we're situated, he leads us out onto the stage. I blink against the harsh lights and then help get Pen situated in her seat before settling beside her. I don't miss the fact that he leans down to whisper something to the interviewer, who practically gives herself whiplash looking at the two of us.

I already know what the first questions will be. But they aren't going to be the surprise the producer seems to think they will be. If he wants a show, he'll get one. Just not the one he's expecting.

"We're back in five!" someone shouts off-stage.

"Behave," Pen mouths at me.

I wink at her.

The producer scurries away. The interviewer—a bottle blonde whose name I can't fucking remember—says a quick hello. And then the lights dim.

"We're back with Penelope Draco and Declan Riser ofVengeful Saints!" she says, beaming at the cameras off-stage. "And I just have to tell you both, getting tickets to your show is impossible! It was sold out as soon as they went on sale."

"They did sell out quick for this tour," Pen says, smiling sweetly. "But we may or may not know a guy who knows a guy."

"Please, introduce me to your guy," the interviewer, Deborah, I think, says with a laugh. "I'm pretty sure my guy is a scalper. I saw him out front trying to sell tickets to this interview on my way in…and we don't even sell tickets!"

Pen laughs.

And I can't take it anymore. I don't want to do the forced banter and jokes and bullshit. I just want to get her alone. But I've spent five years hurting her by being an idiot, so I'm fixing that shit first. It's the only reason I agreed to this interview in the first place.

"Marry me," I blurt, turning to look at her.

Her eyes fly open wide as the entire studio goes dead silent. "W-what?"

I slide out of my chair, kneeling at her feet. "Marry me, Rebel," I murmur, slipping my hand into my pocket to pull out the ring I've been carrying for…fuck, for years. I reach for her shaking hand, slipping it onto her finger. "You said they always ask about us, and I ignore the question. I'm not ignoring anything anymore, baby. I want the whole world to know that you're mine. Marry me."

"Declan," she whispers, staring at me, shock and awe stamped across her face.

"I love you. I've loved you every single minute of the last five years. You are my past, my present, and my future." I brush mylips across her knuckles, my eyes locked with hers. "You are the best part of my life, Penelope Draco. Say yes."

"Yes." She bobs her head in a nod, her bottom lip quivering. "Yes."

Fuck. She actually said yes.

"Congratulations!" Deborah cries behind us as everyone in the studio breaks into applause. "Oh, my goodness. An on-air engagement. I did not expect this when I came to work today."

I ignore her, rising to my feet to scoop Pen up from her chair into my arms. My lips crash down on hers in a hard kiss. I don't care if the whole goddamn world is watching this interview. Let them. It's beyond time they know that this woman isn't just a member of the band to me—she's my entire world.

Epilogue

Declan

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