Page 62 of Thor

MADISON

Ican’t believe what I’m hearing. Thomas is dead? From the looks of everyone in the room, they all think Cara had something to do with it. Before Jonah headed off to Church, he told me to stay strong and he would be right back. I’m trying to hold it together.

I don’t know if I want to leap for joy or cry out in relief. I never thought I would celebrate someone’s death but I’m happy he’s gone.

Part of me needs to see it for myself. I have to know he’s really gone. This man has been my personal boogeyman for a decade. To me, he’s an evil that doesn’t easily die.

I take my seat and stare at the television. I can’t hear what’s being said because Tiny turned the volume down. As I watch, I see the coroners wheeling several bodies from the home.

Could this be real?

“Are you okay?” Crystal asks, sitting beside me.

I nod as my eyes fill with tears. Crystal brings me into her arms, and I hold on tight. I didn’t even know how badly I needed this hug until I am in her arms. “Is it really over?” I croak.

“Looks like it. Good riddance to him. I don’t know what Cara did or if she did anything at all, but whoever pulled that trigger did the world a good deed. Some people just need killing.”

I giggle and she pulls away with a small smile.

Paul, Wyatt, and Frances join us on the couches. “How did you get out?” Paul asks him.

“I don’t know. Cara sent me a letter three days ago telling me I was being released but to keep it quiet until it happened. This morning after I was processed out, I was given an envelope. Inside it was a plane ticket with a note from Cara telling me she would pick me up from the airport, and here I am.”

“What the hell did that girl do now?” Paul sighs.

“I don’t know but I’m grateful she did. Things were starting to get bad in there.”

Paul nods and I hear one of the doors in the hall open. The guys exit Church and as soon as my eyes land on Jonah, I run to him. Before I can open my mouth, he cuts right to it.

“You know I can’t tell you club business. What I can tell you is that he is really gone, and we won’t face any backlash because of it.”

My phone rings and I pull it out. Mom’s name lights up the screen.

“Please tell me the club had nothing to do with Thomas?” Mom asks in a panic.

“No, Mom. It seems he got what was coming to him.” Mom breathes out a sigh of relief. “Put Jonah on the phone, please.”

I hand the phone over and watch his brows rise. “Sure. I’ll sponsor him myself. Are you sure about this?” he asks.

I listen in confusion. Sponsor who? And for what? Jonah listens to whatever Mom is saying for a few minutes and I’m left sitting on pin and needles. I need to know what they’re talking about.

“If you and Andrew are sure you’re okay with Ethan becoming a Warrior, I’ll look after him.” Now my eyes are wide as saucers as Jonah smirks down at me. “One more thing before you go. I want you all here this weekend. Maddy and I are getting married.”

My mouth drops open and he continues to smirk down at me. I can hear my mom scream through the phone. I can hear the happiness as she begins to cry on the phone. My vision is blurred with tears. Part of me is angry that he didn’t ask but the other part of me just wants to be tied to him in every way. Jonah hangs up the phone after they say goodbye and pulls me into his arms.

“You got a problem with that?” He raises a brow.

“No.” I giggle. “But typically, you’re supposed to ask.”

“Is that right?” He smiles mischievously. He drops down to one knee, in the middle of the common room, and pulls a ring box from his back pocket. All eyes are on us. Sara pulls out her phone and begins to record.

“Now, I don’t like the idea of asking. That sounds like you have an option on the matter, and you don’t.” Jonah winks and I giggle. “Madison Walker, I am taking your hand in marriage. You are mine and I am yours. I’m going to love you for eternity and fill you with my babies. Our forever starts today.” He opens the ring box and I gasp at the size of the ring.

I don’t know how many carats this thing is, but it has five smaller diamonds going down the band on each side of the heart-shaped diamond that sits in the center. “These smaller diamonds represent each year we spent apart. I chose a heart for the center because despite all that time apart, you always ownedmy heart.”

My tears spill over as he places the ring on my finger and stands to his feet. He picks me up and I wrap my arms around his neck. His lips take mine and we kiss like there’s no one elsein the room. In a way, they do disappear. When I’m in his arms, it’s the only thing that matters.

The clubhouse breaks out in cheers, and we break apart smiling. We are congratulated for all of two minutes before Jonah throws me over his shoulder. “Time for me to celebrate with my Ol’ Lady. Goodnight.”

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