“Dinner was delicious, and the flowers and candles were a nice touch, too,” Dakota said, gushing over the long-stemmed roses and the four tapered candles illuminating the dining room table. “I didn’t know you were such a romantic.”
Hamilton shrugged. “What can I say? I’m a man of many talents.”
“Mmm,” she moaned, flashing that sexy smile that always sent blood rushing to the lower part of his body. “I can’t wait to experience some more of your talents.”
“If you’re referring to the talents I think you’re referring to, not gonna happen. At least not until you heal a little more.”
She was moving around better, but her ribs and left hip were still bothering her. The cast on her left arm was now covered in Dominic’s drawings.
“I’m not made of china, Hamilton.”
“I know, babe, but I want you at a hundred percent. Or at least close to it before we indulge in strenuous activities.”
She huffed out a breath, not looking too pleased, but she didn’t argue. That told Hamilton all he needed to know. She wasn’t physically ready for sex.
He stood, blew out the candles and reached for her hand. “Come with me.”
“Where are we going?”
“To the family room. Since we’ve had dinner and dessert, I figured maybe we could do a little slow dancing. Very slow if you’re up for it.”
That brought a smile to her face. “Wow, you’re really pouring it on thick tonight. I’d love to dance with you.”
Seconds later, the smooth melody of Eric Benét’s “Spend My Life With You” poured through the speakers and Hamilton eased Dakota into his arms, careful of her bruised ribs. He missed being able to hold her like he usually did, feeling her body snuggled against his. Dancing with her now only reinforced what he already knew. He wanted to hold her like this for the rest of his life.
Before the end of the song, Hamilton slowly pulled away.
Dakota looked at him confused. “What? Did I step on your feet or something?”
He chuckled, she was such a lightweight, he probably wouldn’t have noticed even if she had. “No. I just needed to get something.” He strolled over to the bookshelf and grabbed the velvet box that he’d hidden. Returning to Dakota, he dropped down on one knee.
“Oh my…” she gasped, her hands going to her mouth.
“It takes some people years to know when they’ve found the right one. It took me a couple of days at a safe house to know you were someone special, and a couple of months to know that I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Baby, I love you. Will you do me the honor of being my wife?”
With a hand on her chest and glossy eyes, Dakota nodded. “Yes, yes I’ll marry you! Oh my God, Hamilton!” she shrieked, laughing through her tears.
He stood and wrapped her in his arms but loosened his grip when she winced.
“Sorry.” He kissed her and slipped the halo diamond ring with rubies along the sides onto her finger.
“It’s so beautiful,” she whispered in awe. “I had no idea.”
“I know we’ve joked about how it’ll be when we’re married and have kids. But I love you too much to let another day go by without showing you that I’m serious about our future together. I’m looking forward to spending the rest of my life with you.”
“I feel the same way, but I hope you don’t want a long engagement. You know I’m a little impatient.”
“A little?” He laughed. “Within twenty-four hours of being together at the safe house, you were talking about us getting married. I’d say you’re also a little presumptuous and demanding.”
“Don’t forget intuitive, smart, and persistent.”
“Right, and I love everything about you.” And he already knew there wouldn’t be a dull moment in their marriage.
“And I love you more.”
Hamilton lowered his mouth to hers, claiming her lips. The pounding of his heart, in anticipation of his proposal, finally quieted and he lost himself in their kiss. He looked forward to their future, knowing that this time, he had chosen the person who was made for him.
* * *
Two days later, Dakota leaned against the railing of Hamilton’s parents’ deck, unable to stop glancing at her engagement ring. There were moments she still couldn’t believe that they were getting married. They hadn’t set a date, but they both agreed that it would be in the next few months. Neither of them wanted anything big, and though Dakota hadn’t suggested it yet, she hoped Hamilton wouldn’t mind going to the courthouse.
She looked out over the backyard at kids laughing, playing and running around. It was Dominic’s birthday and his party was as lively as he promised it would be. He’d been talking about the event for weeks, and she loved seeing how happy he was.
“Dakota, do you need anything? Maybe something else to eat or drink,” Irene, Hamilton’s mother, asked when she stepped out of the house carrying an infant.
“No, thank you. I’m fine. Your family has been catering to me from the moment I walked through the door. For a minute, I thought your daughter-in-law was going to cut up my meat for me.”
The older woman laughed and smile lines crinkled around eyes that were so similar to Hamilton’s. She was a beautiful woman, with salt and pepper hair pulled into a ponytail that hung down her back, and blemish-free skin the color of milk chocolate. According to Hamilton, she was in her seventies, but she looked much younger than her years.
“You gave all of us a scare, especially Hamilton. We’re just glad to have you here with us.”
“Yeah, I scared myself. Thanks for everything you all have done for me. I really appreciate the support.”
Irene waved her off. “That’s what family does. Isn’t that right, Miracle?” she said to the baby in her arms who was Mason’s youngest child. He and his wife London, along with their children, had arrived a few minutes earlier.
“How old is she?” Dakota asked, rubbing the baby’s hand and eliciting a sweet little smile from her.
“She’s almost five months.”
“Did I hear right, that Mason has four kids under the age of four?”
Irene laughed. “Yes, girl. He was trying to talk London into having enough children to make up a basketball team. They’re close with three boys and this little cutie-pie. Their set of twins just turned two, and the oldest will be four in a couple of months. Needless to say, they have their hands full.”
“Yes, they do.” Dakota couldn’t imagine having four kids, especially that close together in age.
“You’re wonderful with Dominic. Do you want children?” Irene asked slyly.
Dakota laughed. She and Hamilton had announced their engagement before Dominic’s friends arrived at the party. His family didn’t look surprised, and right away, his mother and daughters-in-law started talking weddings.
“I love children, and I’m hoping to have a couple,” Dakota said.
“Good. I have three grandsons who I adore, but I’m holding out hope for a granddaughter I can spoil. In the meantime, I get to practice with this little one.”
“Mama, telephone,” Chris, Hamilton’s older brother, called out from the patio door.
“Be right there,” she said over her shoulder. “Dakota, if you need anything, just holler.”
“Will do. Thanks.”
Shortly after Irene left, Jackie strolled up the deck stairs.
“I’m glad you were able to make it,” she said, standing next to Dakota and leaning her hip against the railing.
“Thanks. I wouldn’t have missed it. Dominic is a special little boy.”
Jackie smiled, staring out into the backyard where Dominic was running with a water gun, chasing one of his friends. “Yeah, he’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
They stood in silence for a while, and for the first time in a long time, Dakota was at a loss for conversation. What did one say to her fiancé’s ex-fiancée?
“I hear congratulations are in order,” Jackie said without looking at Dakota. “Dominic told me that you and Hamilton are getting married.”
“Yes. We haven’t set a date yet, but it will be soon,” Dakota said not knowing what else to say and feeling a bit awkward.
“Hamilton’s a great guy, and I wish you both the best.”
Okay, I didn’t see that coming.
“Thank you. That really means a lot.”
She smiled and it seemed genuine. “Just don’t make the same mistakes I made. Loyalty is important to him. Every day I regret not believing in him enough. Not trusting him when I knew he was trustworthy, and not standing by him when he needed me the most.”
Dakota stared at the woman as realization dawned on him.
“You still love him, don’t you?” She wasn’t sure, but Dakota felt something deep in her gut, listening to the woman’s words.
“I’ll always love him. He’s the father of my child.”
Dakota nodded, knowing it was more than that, but didn’t harp on the topic. Hamilton was easy to love and she couldn’t blame the woman for still having feelings for him. She was just glad to know that she didn’t have to worry about Hamilton’s commitment to her.
She glanced across the yard where he was sitting, talking to a couple of other dads. Every so often, like now, their gazes would connect and that usual warm, fuzzy feeling that she only experienced with him engulfed her.
“I don’t think he ever looked at me the way he looks at you,” Jackie said, turning her attention to Dakota. “I can tell he really loves you.”
Dakota smiled, thinking about the conversation she and Hamilton once had at Club Masquerade when they were just getting to know each other. She’d always wanted to be in a relationship where others looking in could see the love she had for her mate and vice versa. She just never thought that fantasy would come to fruition.
* * *
Hamilton, sitting at one of the tables near the pool, glanced across the yard at the house. He couldn’t help wondering what Jackie was saying to Dakota. He had watched his ex approach her, pretty sure she wouldn’t start any drama during Dominic’s party, but not positive.
“Aren’t you a little concerned that your fiancée is talking to your ex?” Laz asked, setting a plate of food down on the table before sitting in the seat next to Hamilton. “You should be closer, just in case you have to pull them off of each other.”
“I’m not worried. They both love Dominic too much to do anything that would ruin his party.”
“Yeah, if you say so. Women are unpredictable. One minute you think you know them, and the next they throw you a curveball that makes you question your own damn name.”
Hamilton laughed. “Did something happen between you and the prosecutor?”
His friend bit into a hamburger and frowned. “This ain’t about me. We’re talking about you and your women.”
“I don’t have women. I have a woman. As in one. You’re the person who came over here talking about unpredictable women.”
“Whatever, just drop it,” Laz said testily, only making Hamilton laugh more. His friend didn’t have to say anything. His attitude said it all. Attorney Ramsey had gotten to him and he probably didn’t know what to do with his feelings for her.
Hamilton looked up just as Justin came through the back gate, making a beeline for them. “I was wondering when he’d show up,” Hamilton said, knowing his brother wouldn’t miss Dominic’s party.
“Damn, he looks like he’s about ready to hurt somebody,” Laz stated.
Hamilton stood, thinking the same thing. “What’s up, bro? I was wondering where you were. Everything all right?”
“It wasn’t an accident,” Justin said in a rush, his breaths coming in short spurts as if he had just run a marathon. “Somebody fucked with my equipment on the movie set, making the back portion of the barn explode too soon.”
Hamilton’s pulse pounded in his ear and a surge of fear seeped into his body. He stared at his brother, trying to wrap his mind around what Justin was really telling him. “Are you saying that someone intentionally tried to hurt Dakota?” His gaze slid to where she was standing on the deck.
“I’m saying the movie set is now considered a crime scene.”
Hamilton ran his hand over his head, a sense of foreboding gripping him tighter than a straitjacket ever could. Tons of thoughts bombarded his mind. He had to get Dakota some protection.
“I know you have questions, and I’ll tell you everything I know, but first I need to let Shelby know I’m here,” Justin said of his fiancée.
“Okay…um…don’t say anything to Dakota yet,” Hamilton stammered, shocked by the news.
Justin nodded and walked away as if a boulder weighed him down. He had every reason to be worried since his rigging company was in jeopardy. But right now, all Hamilton could think about was that someone might’ve been trying to kill Dakota. Did this have anything to do with her father?
“Before you jump to conclusions, you don’t know if Dakota was the intended target. Maybe someone was trying to disrupt production,” Laz said.
“Maybe, but I’m not taking any chances. Until I know otherwise, I’m having someone on her 24/7, and I’m going to need your help on this. I need any information you can get your hands on.”
“Ham, you know that’s Dunwoody,” Laz said of the suburb that was north of Atlanta. “That’s out of my jurisdiction.”
“That’s never stopped you before!” he bit out, sharper than intended, and huffed out a breath. “I’m sorry. I didn’t—”
“No problem. I know you’re worried about your woman. I’ll get right on it and get back to you.” Laz gathered his empty plate and tossed it in the trash before making his way over to Dominic.
Hamilton’s attention went to Dakota, who was watching him from across the yard. She must have seen the shock on his face because her smile dropped and she started toward him. She’d been through so much lately, and now he had to explain that her father’s sins might have caught up with her.
He pulled his cell phone from his pocket and called his office.
“Hello,” their executive assistant answered on the second ring.
“Egypt, I have a situation.”