Page 213 of Savage Suit
Ryan’s eyes widened at her sister’s actions, and she glanced at me. “What’s g-going on?”
“Just what fuckface said,” Quinn answered. “He lied to you. That wasn’t Noah with Megan. That was Nicholas, who is also the father of her baby.”
“You beat him up, Noah?” Ryan asked in shock once she processed the explanation.
“No, he tried to kill him,” Quinn supplied. “I’m sure it was partly for the fucking video, but it was more because of what happened in your office a few weeks ago.”
Not answering, Ryan studied the phone for long minutes, then shook her head and sat it back on the table. “You’re a piece of shit, Nicholas. You’d destroy Noah’s life,mylife, for what? To satisfy your sick vengeance? How dare you? I’d bet my fucking life Noah didn’t run to Tina telling her of your roaming cock. I take it you told Megan to send those images of theAsk Idacolumn?”
He glanced away, and Ryan bent her head, starting to cry again.
“See what you did to my sister?” Quinn snarled, jumping to her feet to hug Ryan. “Dude, pull yourself together before your man goes over the edge.”
Ryan sobbed harder. “He isn’t my man,” she managed. “I br-br-broke the engagement.”
“I would have too, Ryan,” Quinn said, hugging her again. “Anyone of us would have. We don’t want to love a cheater.”
I walked to them and gently dislodged Ryan from Quinn’s hold.
“Ryan, sweetheart, forgive me,” I whispered. “I take my responsibility as head of my family seriously, but in doing so I neglected you. Had I put you first, Megan Buford wouldn’t have been allowed into my suite and this wouldn’t have happened. I love you so much. Marry me.”
“Oh, Noah, I love you too.”
Even before she said the word, I heard herbut.
“But we aren’t compatible. It doesn’t matter how much you admire my work, you don’t want a career woman. Or children. Your penthouse is beautiful and is where you want to live. I’ve always envisioned a house to raise a family in. My own money, earned by me. This is a case where love isn’t enough.”
I took her face between my hands and kissed her tenderly. “It is enough. I proposed to you, thinking to sway you into giving up your job, but I swear I will support your career for as long as you want it. Trust me. Please. I wasn’t looking for a relationship and didn’t believe in love. At best, I hoped to find someone who I had one or two things in common. But, then, I met you and what I thought I wanted didn’t hold a candle to who you are. You’re loyal, kind, and caring. Family is as important to you as it is to me. Your work ethic mirrors mine. Before I realized what happened, you’d captured my heart and soul. You became my best friend. Even when you weren’t around, you were in my head, challenging me. Only after you expected more from me did I learn to do better. I love you and I intend to lay the world at your feet, whether you’re a homemaker or a headhunter.”
Ryan laughed through her tears.
“Marry me. Let me spend the rest of my life showing you you’re my priority always and forever.”
“Yes! Yes, Noah, yes!” she said, standing on tiptoes to hug me amid clapping and whistling from Quinn, Reid, and Logan. She kissed me. “I love you.”
“I love you more, Ryan.”
Chapter Forty-Four
3 months later
“I’ve packed your bag,” Alessia announced, walking into the rectory.
Somehow, Noah had convinced the priest to allow my bridal party to dress at his residence.
Quinn paused the music she had blasting from her phone.
“You’ll have everything you need for where Noah’s taking you,” Alessia continued, radiant in her pregnancy.
Quinn resumed putting hair rollers in my hair. “They aren’t even married yet, Al.”
Not yet. But, in three hours, Noah and I would be husband and wife.
“They’re leaving tomorrow, and she didn’t know what to bring, so I took the liberty of doing it for her,” Alessia volunteered.
As Quinn focused on my hair, Alessia ticked off every item on her list. “I packed an array of clothing for you to pick from and all your favorite toiletries. Unfortunately, I forgot if you preferred pads or tampons, so I packed both. There’s also condoms and pregnancy tests. You never know what you’ll need.”
Her consideration warmed my heart.
