Page 47 of Hacker Betrayed

“You nervous?” Brock took a swig of beer. “Shouldn’t be. She’s going to say yes. Mia loves you.”

I knew she loved me, and in the past month, she’d expressed it all the time. She was still torn up about her old friend and asked Brock to investigate the real Mia. Donovan had asked her to keep the information a secret, but she wanted Brock to see if what he said was true.

Donovan was still in Mexico cleaning up the mess. He’d called a few times to talk with Lucas. The evidence he gave me was still sitting in my top drawer at work. I would need to figure out a plan, but we’d had enough drama over the last few months.

Lucas glanced in my direction and gave me a thumbs-up.

I’d asked his permission to marry his mom and had him help me pick out the ring.

“I talked with Wes yesterday. He and Rachelle loved the idea of us getting married right after them in Vegas. Then everyone only has to dress up once,” I said.

Brock cocked his head to the side. “I hope we can make it home from Vegas with nobody getting arrested.”

“I highly doubt that will happen. The girls are having a bachelorette party for Rachelle the night before. I’m worried Kat will come up with some harebrained idea, and they’ll end up solving some crime.”

I glanced to where Kat sat in a lawn chair next to Mia. She had a baby on her lap and a kid at her feet. If I hadn’t seen her in action, I would never believe that woman was dangerous. Same with Mia. She was deadly, but also so caring.

“Antonio said he’s not letting his wife out of his sight,” Brock chuckled. “He acts like he tries to stop her, but that man is her biggest fan. I swear he leaves information out for his wife to see, then acts surprised when she takes things into her own hands.”

Mia threw her head back and laughed at something Ashlyn said to her. She caught sight of me staring and waved.

I winked at her. “I know she’ll say yes.”

“Then why the hell haven’t you asked?” Brock sighed. “The sooner you ask, I can go home and sleep with my wife. The Blackwoods are taking the kids for the night. We don’t get the whole house to ourselves very often.”

I understood. Mia and I had to change things up with Lucas in the house. We’d made arrangements for him to hang out with my sister this Friday so we could go to the club. Neither Mia nor I wanted him home alone. Even with the threats gone, we both worried.

“I meant to ask, what are you doing about your practice? Dr. Cliff is going away for a long time,” Brock said.

The chief of police had called and apologized. He kept me up to date on the case. My adoptive father had called a couple of times when the information hit the news, but I texted back and said we would talk soon.

Ruben owed me and my siblings answers.

“I had a couple of doctors reach out to me. Cara figured out all the legal shit.” I was considering bringing them both on; I was just hesitant.

“Send me their information, and I’ll do an in-depth background check.” Brock took the last swig of his drink. “Ask her. I’m going to help my wife get the glitter off my son.”

Mia walked across the grass and sat down on my lap. “Thank you.”

I tugged on the strand of hair that escaped her ponytail. “What are you thanking me for?”

She waved her hand to the backyard. “For not running when you met my family. You make the days feel like sunshine even when life pours down on us.”

“I’m not the only one who should be thankful.” I placed a kiss on her shoulder. “Before you, I slowly walked through life, only reading about true love in my books. Now I have my one true love in my arms, and I never plan to let you go.”

She straddled my legs and placed a kiss on my lips. “Rumor around the yard is there might be a proposal today… You know if someone were to ask….” She tapped her chin with her finger. “I have it on good authority the woman being asked would say yes. But, like most of the guests, she is wondering when this might happen.”

I pinched her ass. “Hypothetically, if this man asked,” I tugged the ring out of my pocket, “would she want to get married in Vegas when everyone goes in a couple of weeks?”

“I think she could be persuaded. You know orgasms always help.”

“Mia Clark, will you b—”

“Yes!” She pressed her lips against mine, and I couldn’t wait for our guests to leave so I could enjoy time with my fiancée.

* * *

Donovan Calhoun

---