Page 40 of Ghost

Even banged up, my man was raw and masculine, but in that moment with his eyes closed he looked almost... vulnerable.

I knew there was a vendetta churning inside him, but from the looks of him, he’d been holding vigil at my bedside.

“Rae's tough as hell,” Pop said, his voice carrying a hint of pride. “She'll bounce back.”

“She has to,” Daddy grumbled. Physical pain sliced through my chest at the sound of his anguish, and I groaned, causing Ghost to stir beside me.

His eyes snapped open as his heavy boots hit the floor. In the blink of an eye, he was on his feet with his hand in mine. “Baby?”

“Payton?” I asked, squeezing his hand, trying to smile through the hurt.

Ghost leaned in, kissed my forehead, then whispered, “She’s fine. Misses you, but she’s fine.”

Thank God.

My daddy appeared over Ghost’s shoulder, his eyes searching mine. “I’m okay,” I lied, seeing the war brewing, knowing he was ready to take on the world for me.

“You’re not,” he growled. “Someone fucking shot you!” His voice went louder.

“I know, but I’ll be okay,” I said, trying to ease his mind some.

“You're coming home, Norma Rae. This biker stuff, I didn’t raise you like this. As soon as you're cleared, you're coming with me.” I should have known that would be the first thing out of his mouth. He needed someone to blame.

“Like hell she is,” Ghost snapped under his breath, but loud enough for Daddy to hear.

“Watch yourself, boy,” Daddy warned, his eyes hardening.

“Get fucked,” Ghost retorted, cracking his knuckles as he returned my daddy’s stare. “She’s not going anywhere.”

Daddy's eyes narrowed to slits as the muscle flexed in his jaw. Shit. He was really pissed. I needed to diffuse the situation. “You think you can take her from me?”

“You can bet your last fucking dollar on it,” Ghost growled, stepping closer into Daddy's space. “She’s going to be my wife.”

Heart hammering and eyes wide, my head shot around to look at Ghost. Wife? This wasn’t something we’d discussed. We hadn’t even had the time. We were new—as in NEW.

His eyes were hard, but I saw the vulnerability shining through. “You heard me, woman. I’ll give you time to wrap your head around it but make no mistake. You’re mine and I’m yours.” His declaration was about more than possession and protection.

“Ghost,” I breathed out, fingers trembling as I reached for him. “I love you.”

He took my hand in his and brushed his thumb over my knuckles. “I love you too.”

“Why are you here?” I asked my father, catching the murderous way he was staring at the man who’d just declared I’d be his forever.

His shoulders pulled back. “The hospital called me. Said you were hurt. I'm still listed as your emergency contact.” That was something I’d need to be sure to change before I left.

I exhaled heavily. I wanted him to leave, wanted my life to go back to lazy mornings with Payton, and shower sex with Ghost. That wasn’t going to happen though, because with the shape I was in, I was going to need Daddy and Ghost getting along while I healed.

“Daddy, do you mind giving us a moment?”

He grumbled, but begrudgingly left the room with Pop trailing behind him.

Once we were alone, I started to feel nervous. “Did you really mean that?”

“Mean what, hellcat?” He grinned.

“Don’t tease me right now. Did you mean it? Do you really want to marry me?”

Ghost leaned in, his hands planting on either side of my head as his face sobered. “I’ve never meant anything more in my goddamn life. Yes, Norma Rae Thompson. I'm going to put a ring on your finger, and make you a St. James. You’ll be my wife and Payton’s mother.”

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