Page 70 of Bounty
“My turn,” Slice announced.
He reached into his jacket pocket and retrieved a ring box. My heart started to beat faster. He stood from his chair and walked to me, dropping down on one knee.
“Effie Alessia Monroe, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
A flurry of emotions swarmed me. Shock, excitement, anxiety, and most of all, overwhelming love. My eyes misted once more. This time, I didn’t try to dry the happy tears sliding down my cheeks. I nodded frantically, holding out my left hand, so he’d remove the promise ring and slide the engagement ring onto my finger.
“Yes, yes, a thousand times yes!” I cried.
Laughter burst from me at the weight of the ring on my finger.
It was unreal, everything I’d ever dreamed of. For a moment, I feared it was too joyous for reality and was tempted to pinch myself to see if I was dreaming.
A grin spread across Slice’s handsome face and my heart fluttered. He rose up, sweeping me into his arms as my family clapped. Heath’s applause was the most genuine. Cassie’s was slow, almost sarcastic, my father’s was polite, while my mother screamed and bounced with such elation, I reached for her.
We hugged tightly.
“I love you, Mom.”
“I love you more, Effie Monroe, soon-to-be Elmont.”
Mom released me and Slice set me on my feet, hugging me to him.
Everyone faded into the background as Slice embraced me. I clung to him, breathing in his addictive scent.
He kissed me tenderly. “I have one more present, sweetheart. I’ll be right back.”
“What is it?” Mom breathed once Slice walked out.
I couldn’t imagine, but I had a couple ideas. “Maybe it’s Sloane Mason again to serenade us as we take our first dance as an engaged couple? Or Ophelia flew in?”
It had bummed me out big time when none of our friends attended my graduation. Even if Ophelia couldn’t make it, I’d expected Drifter, Goose, Ziggy, and Saw. Yeah, they were still Death Dwellers, but they’d become like family.
Slice returned carrying two red garment boxes wrapped with black ribbon. I felt like a bitch at my disappointment, so I plastered a smile on my face when he handed a box to me and a box to Mom.
Her eyes lit up. “For me?”
“As my soon to be mother-in-law,” Slice said.
Mom squealed. “What is it?”
“You have to open it and find out, love,” Dad called.
“Open yours, Effie,” Mom encouraged, “so I can open mine.”
“You first, Mom.” I winced at my resigned tone. “Er, I’ve gotten so many presents already.”
Slice’s eyes twinkled.
Mom didn’t hesitate to rip the box open. Her gasp reverberated through the private room.
“Oh my god!” she screamed.
“What—”
Before I asked the question, she held up a leather cut. Tears filled her eyes and her nose reddened. She flew to Slice and bear hugged him so tight, he groaned.
“Let us see it, Mom,” Heath said, grinning.
