Page 57 of Killian (The Doherty Mafia)
She had no idea how happy I was to hear those words. How much joy they brought me.
After everything I had put her through, I wasn’t expecting her to even want to kiss me, let alone want to come away with me.
“I promise you, Reese, I will always do everything I can to give you exactly what you want.”
“Always?” she asked, with a soft smile curling her lips now.
“Always.”
A loud shot rang out and from somewhere downstairs, I heard Colin’s voice calling for me.
Reese nodded her head—telling me she was ready to go.
I pulled her to me and with an arm around her shoulder and my other hand clutching my gun, ready to shoot—we ran down the stairs.
Aiden, Tristan and Nolan waited at the bottom, barricading us from the shots that were being fired in our direction.
Only a few guys from the Baron mafia remained. I could already see that my brothers had significantly reduced numbers. Where was Aldo?
We didn’t stop to ask any questions.
I ran with Reese until we were at my bike. She was out of breath when I helped her on. But the smile remained on her face.
“You’re my hero,” she said, laughing.
Even though I smiled, I knew it was just the adrenaline.
None of this was funny.
Thirty
Reese
Killian rode us directly back to the cabin, and even though I had only spent a few days here—a lot of which were spent as a prisoner in the basement—this was the place that actually felt like home. I couldn’t remember why I tried to run away so many times.
I walked into the house with Killian coming after me. He locked the door, checked the windows and went around to double check the security of the rest of the house.
I stood in the living room, shaking. Half from the shock of everything that had happened, and half from the happiness of being with Killian.
When he was done inspecting the house, he returned to the living room.
I realized I was out of breath when I tried to speak.
“I…I thought I would have to plan my own escape,” I admitted.
Killian smiled and drew in a big breath.
“And we both know how skilled you are at that.”
I rolled my eyes.
“I can’t believe you’re ribbing me over it. At a time like this!”
“Are you sure this is where you want to be?” he asked. All of a sudden, his voice became very serious.
I nodded.
“Definitely. As long as I’m not going to be in your basement this time.”
He took a few steps towards me and that alone was enough to set my body on fire.
“You’re never going to be in anyone’s basement again, Reese. You deserve to be treated like the queen you are.”
I felt myself shudder.
I couldn’t believe the words leaving Killian’s mouth.
Had he ever spoken to anyone like this before? Any woman? I didn’t know he was even capable of it.
He came so close to me, towering over me with his big muscular body.
When I looked into his eyes I could sense he had something he wanted to say.
And just like that—right before my eyes—he went down on one knee in front of me.
My breath caught in my throat. I felt dizzy with shock. What was he doing? I was about to order him to stand up, then he started to speak.
“Sorry, I don’t have a ring right now. I wasn’t prepared for this, but I know I have to ask you this question. I don’t want to waste any more time with you Reese. This is not a game. I want you to be my wife. I want you by my side every day. I don’t ever want to watch you walk away from me. So, will you do it? Will you marry me?”
He took my breath away. It was too crazy to be real.
Killian Doherty just asked me to marry him.
Instead of answering his question, I burst into tears.
* * *
He pulled me into his arms and I rested my head on his chest. I could hear his heart beating.
I was wrong the first time when I said this cabin felt like home. This felt like home. Being in his arms, our bodies together.
But I still couldn’t believe it.
I looked up at him. He had the most intense brown eyes that bore into my soul. Did I ever tell him that?
“Why do you want to marry me, Killian?”
With his thumb, he gently stroked my bottom lip.
“I’m sorry it took me a while to figure out. I couldn’t admit it to myself, Reese. I’ve never experienced anything like this before. I’ve fallen for you. Hard. You’re the woman I want by my side for the rest of my life.”
I never thought I would hear anyone say this.
Even Charlie…even he hadn’t been able to express his emotions in words like this. Least of all did I expect it from Killian.
