Page 70 of Rafael

“Before I lose any more blood and pass out, I want to get something clear.” His voice was weak.

Gisele choked down a sob and forced a smile. “You should save your strength. I know we made a deal. I’ll stand by it.”

He raised his other hand and cupped her cheek. “Shush and listen.”

She blinked back tears. “Okay.”

“I am reneging on that deal. I don’t want it anymore.”

More tears spilled from her eyes. “Okay. I respect that,” she said, a sob rising in her throat. “Well, hell. I promised not to be clingy but cut me a break on a few tears.”

He brushed his thumb across her wet cheek. “I want a new deal.”

She swallowed hard. “Okay.”

“I love you.”

Her brow puckered.

He chuckled, coughed and winced. “Hear me out. I love you. I’m glad you love me, and I want you and me to love each other forever. Along with love, I want the ‘C’ word.” He smiled. “I want to commit. I know nowthatwhat I felt with my ex-fiancée wasn’t love. What I feel with you is something I can’t live without. If you need time to think about it and to feel the same, I’ll wait. You’re worth it.”

Gisele blinked at a steady stream of tears. “I don’t need time to think about it,” she said. “I need you.” She started to throw her arms around him but stopped herself, settling for a kiss. She maintained the pressure against his wound until the Emergency Medical Services personnel took over. As they loaded him into the back of the ambulance, her heart swelled with the overwhelming love she felt for the Navy SEAL.

“He’s a keeper.”

EPILOGUE

Three monthslater

Rafael stoodoutside the door to the boat factory, dressed in a black suit and sapphire blue tie and a white rose pinned to his lapel.

Gisele stood beside him, wearing a matching sapphire blue dress that hugged the upper half of her body like a second skin. The skirt flared out from below her hips in billowing drifts of shimmering sapphire chiffon.

She’d worn her hair down in loose, soft curls with a white rose tucked behind her ear, in stark contrast to her dark tresses. She was the most beautiful woman he could ever have dreamed of loving and an even lovelier bride.

Rafael shook his head, aware that he hadn’t stopped smiling since he’d woken that morning.

Today was their wedding day.

They’d decided on non-traditional clothing and a non-traditional venue at the boat factory. Gisele had asked Shelby to officiate, even though she was a very plump, eight-month pregnant woman. She was happy, healthy and glad she’d been wrong about Rafael not being the right man for Gisele.

The entire contingent of Bayou Brotherhood Protectors were seated with their women folk.

The music started. Remy and Gerard opened the double doors and stood back for the bride and groom to walk together down the aisle.

Rafael wouldn’t have to stand and wait for his bride to come to him. He would be by her side now and forever.

Gisele’s friends and her cousin Bianca had decorated the boat factory with lush greenery and white roses.

Rafael had worked with his buddies to arrange a special surprise, bringing Johnny and his cage to the ceremony. The ladies had even decorated his stand.

When Gisele saw the cage, she laughed and squeezed Rafael’s hand. “Thank you.”

Grand-mère Gautier stood by in a multi-colored kaftan, a serene smile gracing her lips. The day before she’d attended the grand opening of the newwomen’s shelter built with Ronald Caney’s bag of money.

As Gisele walked alongside Rafael, she leaned close and whispered, “Did I tell you I’d promised Bianca that I would make you fall in love with me and then dump you to teach you a lesson in love?”

Rafael shot a glance her way, his brow puckered. “Please tell me I’m not about to be pranked.”

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