for everyone to see. It was indeed the cut of a fully patched-in SDMC member, with his name embroidered on the front. He slipped his arms through the holes and the whole house erupted in applause.
“I don’t have fuckin’ road name for ya.” Reaper waved his hand in front of him. “Nor an official job title for you yet, but everyone here knows you deserve this patch. You’ve saved our asses back at the Sandia outpost, and kept my old lady safe in Blakeworth. You’re a Demon, Lark. You always have been, even before today. This is just sealin’ the deal. Thanks for having our backs, brother.”
“Thank you, Reaper,” Larkan said so softly, it was almost a whisper.
My husband jumped down from the table and the two men clapped arms around each other in a rough hug. They clung to each other while everyone cheered, whistled, and applauded. When Larkan pulled away, he immediately turned to the stairs where Noelle beamed at him proudly.
“Baby, can you come here?” He extended a hand out to her.
A soft murmur of, “Awww” rose up from the onlookers as Noelle came down to join him.
“You better not embarrass me, you—”
Her words cut off abruptly when he dropped to one knee.
The “Aww”s turned to gasps and hushed exclamations. Even I sucked in a breath and brought a hand to my chest.
“Marry me, Noelle.” Larkan’s eyes were only on her, his hands wrapped around her fingers. “Ever since you and Mari pulled me out of that wreck, I’ve only wanted two things in life. This cut, and for you to be my old lady.”
“Are you…are you serious?” She stared at him, wide-eyed with disbelief.
“I’ve never been more serious in my life.” He brought her fingers to his lips. “I don’t have a ring yet, ‘cause I wasn’t exactly expecting this.” He looked back at Reaper with a soft laugh. “But I told you, woman, I’d make you officially mine the moment I got a patch.”
“I didn’t think you’d do it so…literally,” Noelle laughed nervously.
Everyone, Larkan included, seemed to hold their breath as they waited for an answer.
“I love you,” he said, kissing her fingers again. “I want to spend the rest of my life taking care of you and whatever family we make.”
“Too much information,” Reaper muttered, earning a punch on the arm from Gunner.
“So what do you say, baby?” Larkan asked, his nerves starting to show.
Noelle grinned, wrapping her arms around his neck as she leaned over and kissed him, much like the way he did on the stairs.
“Of course I’ll marry you, dummy.”
The house erupted into cheers so loud, my ears started to ring. That still didn’t stop me from joining in the noise as Larkan rose to his feet and picked up Noelle to kiss her again. Her palms against his cheeks, she broke the kiss and said loud enough for everyone to hear, “But pull this embarrassing shit again and I’ll divorce your ass.”
“We need a toast!” Reaper shouted over everyone’s raucous laughter, trying not to bump into people as he headed into the kitchen.
The energy turned up several notches after the proposal. More drinks were flowing and everyone was excitedly congratulating the new couple. Even Tessa was smiling and hugging them both. I was glad and relieved she could feel at least some happiness tonight.
“Hey, Lark!” someone shouted across the room. Imagine my surprise to see that it was Shadow.
“What’s up, dude?” the newest Demon grinned after releasing someone from a hug.
Shadow smiled back. “When do you want that tattoo?”
It only took a moment for Larkan to decide. “You good to do it right now?” He lifted up his T-shirt, revealing sculpted pecs and rows of abs. “Give it to me right here, man.” He slapped his chest.
Shadow’s grin grew wider. “Let me finish my drink and get set up.”
“Wooo!” Larkan slid off his new cut and removed his shirt completely.
Much to Noelle’s dismay, he whipped the shirt around his head a few times before tossing it in a random direction. He nearly fell over laughing when it landed on Governor Vance’s head. Noelle placed a hand on her forehead and turned away, but I saw her shoulders shaking with laughter too.
“Have fun holding that wiggly one down,” I said to Shadow as he headed toward his bedroom.
He paused to draw me in for a kiss, gently squeezing my waist. “I know a few tricks of the trade. He won’t be nearly as solid as you, though.”
His voice was low and