Mine to Keep (NOLA Knights #3) - Rhenna Morgan Page 0,106

you.”

He opened the box.

Oh.

My.

God.

The ring.

The one Mr. Frannelly had been consulting with her on for weeks. The design he said he was determined to get just right. No wonder he kept asking for her input. Her suggestions and her reactions. It hadn’t been for him to sell.

It was for her.

From Roman.

“Baby...” She studied it for long seconds. Marveled at the beauty in the design. Not just because the stone in the center was so flawless, but because of the tasteful and unique white gold setting that held it. She lifted her head, emotion balled up in her throat. “It’s beautiful.”

“As beautiful as my Queen.” He plucked it from the box and smoothly slid it on her finger.

A perfect fit.

Just as he’d known it would be.

“It’s time, vozlyublennaya. Time for you to take my name. To truly be my bride and seal our life together.”

It’s time.

Nearly the same words she’d shared with her brother.

And it was time. Time for her to surrender all her old fears once and for all and step fully into her new life. A life of happiness. Of family and of love. All shared with a man she knew she could always trust completely.

She pressed her hands against his chest and rolled back up on her toes, absolute certainty reverberating through every inch of her as she whispered against his lips. “You’re right, handsome. It’s time.” A kiss to seal her words. A vow she didn’t doubt for a second. “Time for us.”

* * *

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Acknowledgments

I’d be remiss in releasing any book without pausing to acknowledge some very important people.

For my business peeps—Cori Deyoe, Kerri Buckley, and the Carina Press and Harlequin staff. Thank you all so very much for listening and patiently riding out the ups and downs that paint a career in writing.

For my writer tribe and dearest friends—Juliette Cross, Dena Garson, Jennifer Mathews, and Lucy Beshara. I’ve met many people since stepping foot on my writing journey and quest for personal growth, but the four of you have been my guideposts. My constants and my treasured friends. Thank you for standing by me through all the twists and turns of life.

Most importantly, thank you to my beautiful daughters Abegayle and Addison, and the love of my life, Joe Crivelli. The three of you are the brightest lights in my life and the absolute treasures of my heart.

About the Author

Rhenna Morgan is a happily-ever-after addict—hot men, smart women, and scorching chemistry required. A triple-A personality with a thing for lists, Rhenna’s a mom to two beautiful daughters who constantly keep her dancing, laughing and simply happy to be alive.

When she’s not neck deep in writing, she’s probably driving with the windows down and the music up loud, plotting her next hero and heroine’s adventure. (Though trolling online for man-candy inspiration on Pinterest comes in a close second.)

She’d love to share her antics and bizarre sense of humor with you and get to know you a little better in the process. You can sign up for her newsletter and gain access to exclusive snippets, upcoming releases, fun giveaways, and social media outlets at www.rhennamorgan.com.

His world. His rules. Her love.

Don’t miss His to Defend, the heart-stoppingly sexy first installment in Rhenna Morgan’s Nola Knights series.

Though his methods may be rough, when it comes to protecting what’s his, Russian vor Sergei Petrovyh’s heart is always in the right place. That’s never been more true than when the gorgeous Evette Labadie asks him for a job. He knows enough to keep his hands off someone as beloved by the locals as Evie, but there’s something about her that calls to him—no matter how badly he burns to make her his...

Chapter One

$480.

Evette pinched the business-size check from her former employer a little tighter and glared at the cleaning company’s logo in the top corner. On any other Friday, the money would have meant inching closer to some semblance of security for her and her son, Emerson. A step toward unraveling the mess she’d created for her life. Today, the unexpected termination that had come with her weekly pay felt more like a sucker punch to the gut. Yet another obstacle to overcome after too many damned years