Page 146 of The Assignment: Room 3

I have just enough energy to pat her ass. “Less of the ‘buddy.’ I might be in a hospital without the strength to fight my way out of a paper bag, but I’m still your Master.”

“Hell yes, you are.” Her heart is beating so fast and in sync with mine.

“I need to call everyone and let them know.”

“Call Dalton and give me the phone.” She does as I ask—my perfect little sub.

“Hey, Helena.” That catches me off guard. I need to get used to calling her by her real name.

“Hello there, you sexy beast.”

“Flex!”

“The one and only. You didn’t think you’d get rid of me that easily, did you?”

“If I weren’t so fucking happy to hear your voice, I’d chew you out for going into a hostage situation alone.”

“It’s good to be back, bro. And wouldn’t you do the same thing for Nad?”

“In a heartbeat.”

“Can you do me a favor?” Fuck, it hurts to talk.

“Anything.”

“Go pick up my Gracie bear and bring her in.”

“I’m on it.”

“Thanks, man. See you soon.” I end the call and find my pet crying.

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

“Gracie told me what she said to you the day of the shooting.”

“One of the best moments of my life, followed by the worst.”

“I thought I’d lost you.”

“I’ve never been so terrified in my life. Not of dying. Seeing Gracie bound and gagged… I’ve never felt rage like that before. And then to walk in on you…”

“That rage is called being a parent.”

We never discussed my role in Gracie’s life, even after we moved in together. Maybe it was an unspoken agreement, but in our lifestyle, we love hard facts. The irony of how our relationship began isn’t lost on me.

“How do you feel about that? About Gracie wanting me to be her daddy?” My heart is hammering in my chest.

“It’s not something we talked about.”

“Oh.”

“I already see you as her daddy. My only concern is whether or not you’re comfortable with it.”

“Are you kidding? Next to you, she’s the only person I want to see right now. I want it all. I want to be your Dom and your husband. I want to be Gracie’s dad. We deserve our happily ever after… Helena.”

Did I just propose?

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