MARRY ME.

MARRY ME.

Ace – Point of View

“Is that mine?” He asked, and I glared at him.

“Of course, it’s yours.”

He grinned widely, and he took the ring from me. My heart was pounding. I felt lightheaded. I could taste my fear. The engagement ring was a simple gold ring with diamond dust all over it. It was custom-made, but now, with Spades’ silence, I wondered if I wasted all that money.

“It’s alright if you don’t like it. We can get something else.” I blurted out, lungs constricting in panic.

He glanced at me, face calm, but lips twitching.

“Like it? For what? You haven’t asked me anything. You’ve only given me a ring.” He teased, a beautiful smile on his face.

Easily, I sank to my knees before him, and his eyes widened.

“Oh, no, no, don’t kneel, it’s just us. Let’s sit instead.” He whispered, grunting as he tried to pull me up. He couldn’t. He was walking with the help of a stick. Lee’s men really fucked up his leg. He would be fine, but he wasn’t yet, so I got up. I didn’t want him popping his stitch. I led him to the seat under the large tree. I had grown fond of this place. I would miss it when we eventually returned to my father’s estate.

“Where were we?” I flashed him a grin, butterflies in my stomach.

“You were about to ask me a question.” He reminded me, then handed me the ring, his ring.

I inhaled slowly, licked my dry lips and pulled my thoughts together.

“I have been thinking about our life as made men. We were born into the Bratva, and our children will be born into it too. It is an endless circle. The dangers that come with it never end. Caine lost his parents to it. I lost my Dad to it. Cateleya’s lost hers, too. In life, we are bound to lose the people we love; it is unavoidable. Being in the Mafia increases this chance. It is scary. It is fucking annoying. I’ve almost lost you countless times. This chain of madness has got me thinking.” I articulated, my jaws clenched.

“I want a family with you, Spades, but is it not selfish for me to want a family despite knowing the risks our lives pose. It is a mindfuck situation because even if we leave, we can’t escape. So, now, I wonder if it's cruel of me to ask you to marry me despite knowing we will have a loaded gun to our heads every moment. It’s your father today, but tomorrow, it’ll be someone else. There will always be one problem or the other. However, I still want to marry you, not just because you keep me sane, but because you are my purpose, Spades.” I confessed, my heart heavy.

“In this life, we must choose our burden, my love, and I have chosen to carry you for the rest of my life and beyond. I don’t believe in God or an afterlife, but I believe in you, I believe in us, I love you. I want to spend the rest of my life worshipping you. I want to love you forever. I want to build a home, make a family with you. I just want you, Spades. With you, all things are easier. I never want to survive you. Marry me, Spades, and let’s begin the rest of our lives. Our sweet life, I promise you.” I avowed shakily, my words and hands trembling.

He was silent, looking at me, which made me panic and blurt, “I know the ring is shitty, I’ll get you another –”

He cradled my face and kissed me softly, cutting off the words.

“Of course, I’ll marry you, Ace. I’ll marry you every day if possible.” He smiled against my lips, and I pulled away, grinning.

“That can be arranged.”

Holding my breath, I slid the ring around his finger, smiling widely as I did. Then, I glanced at the ringbox between us. Mine came with a box, but I found it was easier to carry without. Now, my gaze lingered on the box, and I wondered how the ring would look.

“You make me feel like a child. You bring unattainable happiness into my life, Ace. You make me know how to love. You’ve finetuned me into the best kind of man. Before you, I was a coward, but with you, I can move mountains, Karlin. I love you in a way that feels natural, easy, calming. I love to be loved by you. I am excited to be with you and let time pass, so I can see what we are in the next ten years.” Spades grinned, eyes flashing with delight, and I soaked everything up.

“I want to fill my mouth with your name. You make me melt. You are not the Villain in my story; you are the absolute love of my life, you take care of me, you love me, you adore me, you are everything and more. How could I not want you? I do, Ace. I wake up and I look for you. You exhale, and I inhale. You hold my hand and I melt. You touch me and I disspiate. Do you understand me, my love? You are everything to me.” The words spilt from his mouth happily, and I lapped it up like a dog.

“The best thing about us is our growth. I love you for trying your very best for our relationship. You make me want to be a better man, which is how I know you’ll be the best husband and the best father.” He opened the ring box and pulled out the gold wedding ring with black enamel.

I exhaled softly, my eyes stinging. Fuck.

“Marry me, and let’s begin. Let’s travel. Let’s make love in places we can be caught. Let’s buy a house. Let’s run the marathon. Let’s eat fruits off each other’s bodies. Let’s raise our children. Let’s attend our best friend's wedding. Let’s get married, Karlin.”

I nodded, “Yes, yes, yes. A million times, Spades.”

He slid the ring around my finger, and my eyes glossed over. Fuck.

I wrapped my hands around him and kissed him softly.

We had a wedding to plan, but after we killed his father, of course.