Dirty Sexy Alphas (Twenty Book Box Set) - Hannah Ford Page 0,332

public opinion is more ruthless than any real court. I only want to protect you, to protect my family…”

“Harper and the baby are my family now. And by extension, your family too. If you can’t accept that, if you can’t welcome them with anything other than one hundred percent support, then you need to leave and you will lose all of us.”

Harper gasped. “Ethan, you can’t do that.”

His jaw hardened and he pulled her close. “I mean it Harper. You’re mine to take care of and I will do that with everything I have. We are a family.”

Tears burned her eyes. “But not at the expense of your parents,” she whispered. She could not let Ethan push away his mother and father, his family, if they didn’t accept her. They were good loving people and they didn’t deserve that. Not because of her.

“You can’t do that.” She laid her hand over his, begging him silently to reconsider.

“He doesn’t have to,” Robert said, his own voice thick with emotion. “You’ve chosen your path and despite what you think, I am proud of you son. It takes a strong man to stand up and protect what is his, and it’s clear to me now that Harper is your future.”

“She is,” Ethan said.

“Then she’s also this family's future. If you love her then we will love her too.”

The tears she’d been holding back spilled over and down her cheeks. It was obvious that Robert loved his son and it made her realize how different he truly was from her own father.

Her father would not have accepted Ethan unless there was something in it for him.

“Thank you,” she whispered. Her watery gaze met Robert’s equally wet eyes and they both smiled. Robert stood and made his way around the table, then held out his hand. Harper took it and he assisted her to her feet.

Then his arms were around her and he hugged her tight. “I hope that I can show you a different side to me going forward, my dear.”

She leaned back and kissed his cheek. “You already have.”

Robert held out his hand to Ethan and when he took it, his father pulled him into his embrace. “I’m proud of you son.”

“Thanks dad.”

“Come to dinner sometime this week. Your mother will be very happy to see you and Harper again. Maybe she’ll see her way to forgiving my meddling and let me sleep in my own bed again.”

Ethan barked out a laugh and Harper blushed. “Mom’s go-to when she’s pissed at you.”

“It’s been awhile and I’d forgotten how...uncomfortable the guest room is.” He looked between Ethan and Harper. “So we can expect you for dinner then?”

“Yes,” Harper said, trying to hide a grin. “We will.” She slipped her arm around Ethan’s waist and he tucked her head under his chin. Robert’s beaming smile of approval warmed her heart.

After he left, Harper turned and slid her other arm around Ethan’s waist. “You don’t know how lucky you are to have such a loving family.”

“They’re your family now, too.”

Nestled against his chest, she’d never felt safer. “I love you.”

“I meant it when I said you were my future.” He looked into her eyes and there was a different light shining in them now. When he dropped to one knee, her hands flew to cover her mouth.

“Oh my god, Ethan?” she whispered.

“I want forever with you and there is nothing that will ever change my mind. I want you Harper, to be mine. Will you marry me?”

Oh god. She looked down at him, her emotions in complete turmoil, not because she didn’t love him but because this proved how serious he was. He wanted her, not just for today or tomorrow.

He wanted her for the rest of their lives.

Sobs shook her shoulders and she laid her hand on his shoulder.

He pulled out a small blue box from somewhere and flipped it open. The most beautiful diamond she’d ever seen sat nestled in a bed of fluff. He took it out and slid his fingers down her left arm until he held her hand.

“There is nothing I want more than to be your wife,” she said hoarsely, dropping to her knees in front of him.

The ring fit perfectly.

Just like they had from that first moment.

Epilogue

“I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

Ethan took a step closer and wrapped his fingers around the back of Harper’s neck, pulling until they were only a whisper apart. His dark gaze caught and held hers. Behind his