Chapter 112 Proposal to Sarah

Chapter 112 Proposal to Sarah
Braydon's POV

I'd been carrying the ring around for two weeks trying to find the perfect time to ask Sarah to marry me. We'd been together for three months now and I knew she was the one. I'd never felt this way about anyone before and I didn't want to waste any more time.

The ring was simple but nice. A round diamond on a thin gold band. Nothing too flashy because Sarah wasn't that kind of person. I'd saved up money from my legitimate work and bought it without using any mafia funds. I wanted everything about this to be clean.

I'd also been working hard to get out of the life. Most of my involvement with the Junkies now is just consulting on security stuff and helping Gyran transition operations to other people. I still went to meetings sometimes but I wasn't doing any of the dangerous work anymore.

I made a reservation at her favorite Italian restaurant for Saturday night. The place was fancy and romantic and had these candles on every table. I figured I'd propose after dinner when we were full and happy.

Saturday came and I was so nervous I could barely eat all day. I put on a suit and picked up Sarah at her apartment at seven. She looked beautiful in a blue dress that I'd never seen before.

"You look nice," she said when I opened the car door for her.

"So do you. Really beautiful."

She smiled and kissed my cheek. "What's the occasion? You're acting weird."

"No occasion. Just wanted to take you somewhere nice."

We talked about her work at the hospital and my new security consulting job that Gyran had helped me get. Everything felt normal and good and I started to relax.

We pulled into the restaurant parking lot and I found a spot near the back. It was getting dark and there weren't many other cars around yet because we were early.

I got out and walked around to open Sarah's door, but before I could get there, I heard footsteps behind me. Fast footsteps. I turned around and saw three guys coming toward me and I recognized them immediately.

They were former Dynasty members. Guys who'd worked for the family before it fell apart. I'd been involved in taking down the Dynasty, and apparently, they hadn't forgotten.

"Braydon Hayes," one of them said. His name was Marcus but not the same Marcus who worked for Gyran. This Marcus was shorter and had a scar across his jaw. "We've been looking for you."

"I don't want any trouble," I said.

"Too bad."

He swung at me and I barely dodged it. Sarah screamed from inside the car. The other two guys rushed me and I had to fight back. I caught one in the stomach, and he went down, but the other one grabbed me from behind.

Marcus punched me in the face and I felt my lip split open. Blood ran down my chin and onto my white shirt. I threw my elbow back and hit the guy holding me in the ribs. He let go and I turned to face all three of them.

"Get in the car Sarah," I yelled. "Lock the doors."

But she was already out of the car and I could see the fear on her face. She'd never seen me like this. Never seen the violent side of my life that I'd been trying to leave behind.

The fight didn't last long. These guys weren't trained like Gyran's people were. They were just angry and looking for revenge. I managed to take down two of them pretty quickly and the third one ran when he realized he was alone.

I stood there breathing hard with blood all over my shirt and my knuckles split open. My suit jacket was torn and I could feel my eye starting to swell.

Sarah was standing by the car with her hand over her mouth. She looked terrified.

"Sarah," I said.

"Don't. Just don't."

"I'm sorry. I didn't know they'd be here. I haven't had anything to do with those guys in months."

"But they still came after you. They still found you and tried to hurt you."

"I know. But I handled it."

"By fighting them in a parking lot? This is what you said was over Braydon. This is what you promised me you were done with."

I took a step toward her but she moved back. "I am done with it. These guys are from my past. I can't control what they do."

"But you're still in danger. We're still in danger. What if they come back? What if next time there are more of them?"

"That won't happen."

"You don't know that."

She was right and I knew it. As long as I had any connection to the mafia life there would always be people who wanted to hurt me. People who had grudges or scores to settle.

"I'll protect you," I said. "I promise I'll keep you safe."

"I don't want to need protecting Braydon. I want a normal life with a normal guy who doesn't have enemies trying to kill him in parking lots."

"I'm trying to be that guy."

"Are you? Because it doesn't look like it's working."

We stood there staring at each other and I felt the ring burning a hole in my pocket. This was supposed to be the night I proposed. The night I asked her to spend the rest of her life with me.

"Can we still go to dinner?" I asked.

"Are you serious right now? You're covered in blood."

"I can clean up in the bathroom."

"Braydon stop. Just take me home."

"Sarah please."

"Take me home."

The drive back to her apartment was silent. I tried to talk to her a few times but she just stared out the window. When we got there she got out without saying anything.

"Sarah wait," I called after her.

She stopped and turned around. "I need some time to think about this. About us. I love you, Braydon, but I don't know if I can live like this. Always wondering if someone's going to come after you."

"How much time?"

"I don't know. A few days maybe. I'll call you."

She went inside and I sat in my car for a long time just thinking. The ring was still in my pocket, and my face was still bleeding, and the whole night had gone completely wrong.