His eyes drifted shut and he pressed a kiss to my forehead. “No. You’re not. And you’re stuck with me for life.”

I let out a little laugh, instantly regretting it as pain flared to life throughout my middle. I let my hands fall back to my sides.

“What is it?”

I gave Griffin a weak smile. “I don’t think laughing is on the docket quite yet.”

He found my free hand again, holding it close. “It’s going to take some time to recover. But we’ve got you every step of the way.”

“The men? Are they…? Did Parker get them?”

Griffin’s eyes shifted to the side. “One’s in custody. The other’s dead.” He paused for a moment. “I shot him.”

My hand spasmed in Griffin’s. “I’m so sorry.”

He looked back to me. “You’re sorry?”

“That you had to do that. Even if he deserved it, I hate that you have to carry that weight.”

He swallowed hard. “I’d do it a million times over if it meant keeping you safe.”

“I love you,” I whispered. “So much.” I never thought I’d find someone who would love me enough to put me first. To stay by my side when times got tough. But in a matter of months, Griffin had proven to be that man and more. “I don’t know how I got so lucky.”

His gaze burned into mine. “I promised myself I’d wait. That I’d give you and the kids time to settle into the house and our new routine. But I don’t want to wait. If the past few days have taught me anything, it’s that we shouldn’t waste any of the precious moments we’re given. Marry me, Caelyn. Start forever with me right now.”

My breathing had completely ceased as my heartbeat thundered in my ears. “Yes. It’s totally and completely insane. But yes.”

Griffin’s lips found mine in the gentlest of kisses. But with that barest of touches, I felt everything. His love, protection, devotion. I knew, with him, I’d never doubt how cherished I was.

He pulled back, shaking his head. “I don’t even have a ring to slip on your hand.”

I linked my fingers with his. “I don’t care about a ring. You’ve given me everything I could ever want. A home. A family. You.”

“I love you, Caelyn.”

A soft knock sounded on the door. It opened a fraction, and Will’s face appeared. “I just wanted to—Caelyn! You’re awake.” He bolted into the room and came skidding to a stop at the side of my bed. “You’re really awake. They said if you woke up, you’d be okay.” Tears filled his eyes.

“Come here,” I said, waving him closer. Griffin released my hand so I could take Will’s. “I’m fine. I promise.”