Just wanted to fucking marry her already.

I took a drink and regarded my brother, who looked visibly different than he used to. A couple weeks had passed, and while the changes to his face were subtle, they were noticeable. We spent more time together, did things that brothers did, like drinks at the bar, watching sports, doing something besides discussing work. “You gave it all away. I’ll never understand that.” Raven had given him an ultimatum because she considered his wealth to be blood money. I didn’t agree with that. I didn’t agree with her extreme views. But it wasn’t my place to disagree with her anymore.

His expression didn’t change, remained lighthearted. “We don’t need it.”

“Where do you live now?”

“In her old apartment. The tenant moved out, and we moved in.” His mood didn’t drop or change, like it was a simple decision.

“And you’re okay with that?”

He nodded. “It feels right.”

“Our goal was to retire. And you’re working again.” We’d worked to earn back the wealth that was stolen from us, so his actions made everything we’d done pointless. I would offer my money to him, but he would never take it.

He shrugged. “I like horses. As long as I don’t deal with people, I’m fine.”

“You could start the business again. Just do it the right way.”

He was quiet for a long time before he shook his head. “I’m not interested in that anymore.”

I nodded in understanding, wanting to accept his decision without judgment, but I needed to know something first. “Are you happy?”

His eyes shifted away, his mind elsewhere. “Yes.”

That was all I needed to know. I raised my glass to him. “Cheers.”

He smiled and did the same. “Cheers.”

We both took a drink.

“What about you?” he asked. “Are you happy?”

“The love of my life is marrying me today. Fuck yes, I’m happy.”

His eyes gave a smile. “I meant with retirement. You really think you can do that?”

I wasn’t obsessed with crime. But I was the kind of person that always needed to be doing something. I needed to be working toward something. I couldn’t just hit the gym all day and fuck my wife afterward. “Maybe I’ll start some other kind of business. Or maybe when we have kids, that will be enough to keep me busy.”

“What kind of business?”

I took a drink. “I’ve always admired art. Maybe an art gallery.”

He nodded. “That’d be cool.”

“So, when are you going to ask her to marry you?”

His eyes immediately flicked down the hallway to the stairs in the foyer, making sure the girls were still upstairs and nowhere nearby. “Soon.”

“Yeah? How?”

“I have an idea.”

“You going to tell me, or what?”

“You never told me how you proposed to Melanie?”