Page 57 of Rhys

“You’re hurt.”

“It’s nothing,” she promised. “I just busted open my stitches. But they patched me back up, and I’ll be good as new before you know it. Just like you.”

“Grey?” He found where Greyson was standing.

Like her and Rhys, Greyson had a few new bruises and scrapes, but nothing serious.

“I’m good, brother.” The other man’s golden eyes said he was anything but. “Just glad you’re okay.”

“Austin?”

Trace answered that one, filling Rhys in on everything they’d learned up to this point. Not long after, the doctor came in to examine the patient, and once they were assured he would be fine and able to go home in another day or two, the other members of Charlie Team said their goodbyes and left to go find a hotel for the night.

As for Vanessa…

“You should go, too,” Rhys told her. “No need for you to stay.”

“Oh, but there is.” She leaned down and gently pressed her lips to his. “You see, I promised the man I love that I’d never leave him again.”

A small smile formed on his lips. “That’s not what I—”

“I know.” Vanessa kissed him again before resting her forehead against his. “I know we can’t be together twenty-four-seven, but here…now…this is exactly where I need to be.”

Rhys closed his eyes, and for a moment, she was certain he’d fallen back to sleep. But then he opened them again, and this time—when he looked back at her—she could see the love he had for her there.

“I want to ask you something.” His words came out a bit slurred. “But I don’t want to be under the influence when I do.”

“Okay.” She smiled, wondering what he was going on about.

“I’m serious, Ness,” he insisted. “It’s…important.”

He closed his eyes again, and it was clear to her that he was starting to fade. Giving him another quick kiss, she told him, “You can ask me whatever you want when you wake back up.”

“Marry me.”

The softly uttered words stole her breath. Surely she’d heard him wrong. After all, he was all mumbley from the drugs and his brain injury. Still…

“What did you say?”

“Said…going to…ask you…to marry…me.”

Oh, my god!

“You are, huh?”

“Yep.” Rhys’s head swished against the heavily starched white pillow beneath him. “Already…have the…ring.”

He did?

Her throat grew thick with emotion. “When did you…” Vanessa had to swallow prior to continuing. “When did you have time to get a ring?”

“Afghani…stan.”

His face blurred behind an onslaught of tears. “You bought me a ring in Afghanistan?” That couldn’t be right.

“Was gonna…propose but…you…left.” Rhys’s eyes remained closed as he licked his lips. “Back…now. Not…gonna…let…go.”

Her entire worlds stopped with those few stuttered words. This man…this sweet, loving, badass warrior of a man had bought her a ring two years ago with the intention ofproposing?

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