Page 70 of Fighting for Mallory

“Something good has come from this. A complex cave system has been charted. The stolen statue of Osiris and the gold objects found with it have been donated to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

“In closing, I will not speak about my personal experience at this time or answer any questions. You can watch my exclusive interview with Faith Stoker on the nightly news. Thank you for attending. Stay safe and be kind to each other.”

After the press conference, Mallory left the courthouse with Luca, and they drove to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center to visit Brielle. Justice welcomed them with hugs and indicated two empty chairs vacated by Cameron and Brianna, who had left a few minutes earlier to get something to eat.

Mallory leaned down and hugged Brielle. “You look much better than the last time we saw you.”

“For the sake of the baby, Dr. Carson Williams has ordered me to stay in the hospital until he or she is born. He flies in from Maine once a week to check on me, and we video chat every day.”

“I’m glad you’re under the care of such a dedicated doctor.”

“So am I.” Brielle glanced at Justice. “The mayor isn’t happy about Justice’s absence, though.”

“To hell with the mayor. The LBPD can practically run itself without me, especially now that Luca, River, and Hutch are home.”

“I just watched your press conference, Mallory. I’m sorry I missed all the excitement.” Brielle grinned.

“It was harrowing, to say the least. I’m enjoying peace and quiet.”

“That won’t last long with the Laguna Beach boys.”

Luca chuckled. “No more adventures for us.”

“Give it a month,” Brielle predicted.

Mallory and Luca visited for another half hour before a nurse came in to take Brielle’s vitals. Justice escorted them to the nearest duo of elevators.

“I just wanted to say thanks for stopping by. It means a lot to both of us. This has been such a trying ordeal. Noelle is confused by the separation, so we’ve decided to let her stay with us in the apartment we’re renting nearby. Brianna and Cameron have offered to take turns watching her since her visits with Brielle are limited.”

“Let us know if there’s anything we can do, Justice.”

“I will.” He hugged them again and hurried back to Brielle’s hospital room.

Mallory and Luca left Los Angeles and headed down to Laguna Beach where she now lived with him in his modest house near the coast. She’d put the Bel-Air estate up for sale and planned to donate most of the money she received for it to charities dedicated to helping women train for careers. She never wanted to be rich again. It had brought her nothing but pain and misery.

But Luca…

Luca was her entire world. He enriched her in ways that money could not. He was her intrepid protector. Her conscience. Her beacon of hope. Her lover. And soon, she thought with a secret smile…

He caught her smile and twirled her into his arms. His mouth claimed hers in a sexy melding of lips and tongues.

“You’re gorgeous when you smile like that.” He turned away from her to attend to a simmering pot of red sauce to accompany the pasta dish he was preparing for dinner.

“I’m really happy.”

“You make me happy.”

“I hope so, Luca, because…” Her voice trailed away as she paused and gathered her breath. “Because I’m…I’m pregnant.”

He dropped the wooden spoon in his hand and stared at her. “But I thought?”

“I know. I was on the pill. But I haven’t taken them since we’ve been together. Please tell me you’re as happy as I am about the baby.”

Luca let out a wild cry and spun her around the kitchen. “Happy? I’m over the moon! I guess I’d better make it official then.”

He reached into his pants pocket and withdrew a simple diamond ring. “Mallory, I’m in love with you. My heart and all that I am is yours forever. Will you marry me?”

Mallory clasped his hand with the ring. Tears of joy blurred her vision. “Luca, I’m in love with you, too. Always and forever. I owe you my life, and I will spend the rest of it proving my love for you. Yes, yes, I will marry you!”

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