“But it was—is,” Lani said, frowning at her choice of words. “I’ve never been this content and happy in my life.”

  “And yet there’s still one thing I haven’t given you.” He settled on the bench beside her. “The thing you deserve the most.”

  Lani shook her head, trying to follow his logic.

  “In trying to win you over, I’d missed the biggest piece of the puzzle.” Jordan angled toward her, giving her an intense but loving stare. “I overlooked what you really need, and for that, I apologize.”

  He eased a little closer. “It was in front of me the whole time and I never saw it.” He took hold of her hand. “I grew up in it, fought with it, got into trouble with it, had good times with it, bad and ugly times with it, and Sunday meals with it. I’ve hated it because I was angry at one person in particular. Still, I had what you’ve wanted your entire life and I took it for granted.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “I’m talking about family, Lani. The real kind. The kind we make, the kind we’re born into, and the kind that we claim with another. Truthfully, I had all these people that I’m related to by blood but didn’t realize how lonely I was until I met you. Something was missing. That feeling of being … complete.”

  Jordan lowered to his knees, and Lani almost slid off the picnic bench. His sincerity was doing all kinds of things to her insides that she didn’t want to acknowledge.

  “This is the one thing I never gave you. A sense of family. The concept of it, the realism of it, and how going forward, you’ll fit into it.” He kissed her hands so tenderly she nearly cried. His eyes that could look at her with such heat, were now the windows to deep vulnerability. “Lani, you are my family. I want us to be together so we’re not alone anymore.”

  She gasped but couldn’t find words to speak. Instead, she accepted the caress of the gentle wind and his hands.

  “These past few months with you have been the best of my life, and there is so much more to come. Let’s find our own way and make our own rules. To make our very own kind of family.”

  This was not the time for waterworks but damn it, she couldn’t hold back the tears. Lani glanced over his shoulder to the house across the street. The crowd was still there. She looked down at him. God, she’d done more crying in the past few months than she’d done all her life. What the hell was wrong with her?

  “When you told me your grandmother’s words, it finally shed a light on things,” he said, as if wanting to ensure she understood. “She wanted you to have balance and know love. Your parents weren’t the ones to give you that. They didn’t have it in them.” He wiped away the tears from her cheeks. “So, let me show you that you are wanted, cherished, and the most important part of a family. It’s all right to love me. I will do my best to never let you down.”

  She sighed, and the sound seemed to extract everything around them. “You want children. I can’t give that to you.”

  He gathered her wet face in his hands. “I want you. Only you. Maybe someday children will be for us—in another way. You know better than anyone with the work you do at the hospital, and with the teachers who were there for you, that children feel love before they know what love is. Being the biological parent to a child has nothing to do with that.”

  She couldn’t argue with that logic. Lani loved every precious little life at the hospital. None of those babies belonged to her and still, the love she felt for them was no less real or deep.

  The crowd in the window across the street had grown by a few more folks. She had to strain to keep her attention on Jordan. Who are these people?

  “I never expected my birthday to turn out like this,” she confessed. “Every roadblock I put between us, you somehow got around it, leaped over it, crashed through it, or just ignored it.”

  His eyebrows lifted in a comedic fashion. “Your point is?”

  “Oh, my God, you have such an ego.”

  “Confidence, my love.”

  “Well, there’s that too,” she admitted with a grin, cupping his face between her hands. “You’ve shown me how much you love me. And I look forward to seeing what else you’ll show me.”

  Lani covered her face with her hands. This entire day was surreal. She didn’t see this coming at all. She sniffled and held back the tears. Jordan was still kneeling before her, holding a fresh clean handkerchief to wipe her face.

  “Did you?”

  “Yes,” he replied to her incomplete question. “I ended my affiliation with every single one of my clients and returned their payments, except Lady Ari. She’s actually the owner and refused to accept money from me. I learned a lot about them and found out a great deal about myself. I had to forgive my father and release my anger before I could let love in.” Jordan glanced down at his knee. “I’m not saying I won’t make some mistakes, but I know one thing—borrowed sense is better than bought sense any day.”

  Lani nodded, then stroked his jaw. “This is the best birthday I’ve ever had,” she said glancing over his shoulder.

  “By now, you’ve probably noticed the house across the street. That, sweetheart, is your new family.”

  Her mouth dropped open. “Oh God, I must look awful. And you want me to meet your people?”

  “You’re perfect,” he said, switching to his other knee. “I came by earlier and asked my mother to gather up the troops because I was bringing over the woman I loved to meet them. They’ve been watching with bated breath. I told them that it was your birthday and that you’ve never had a birthday party. And that today, I was also going to do this.” He dipped his head toward the table.

  Lani turned fully and saw a little box on the worn wood. “What’s that?”

  “Open it and see.”

  Everything around her went abruptly quiet. Cars stopped whizzing by. Birds stopped chirping. Insects stopped buzzing. Everything and everyone seemed to be holding in a collective breath. Lani reached for the box and lifted the lid. Her eyes locked on a large diamond ring.

  Jordan gently tipped her face up, and said, “Kalani Monique Jamison, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife? Will you let me be your best friend, your last lover, your hiding place from the world, your shield against your enemies, your confidant, and the only person who can get on your last damn nerve?”

  “All that?” she teased, trying not to let that smile make a full appearance.

  “Wait a minute.” He pulled the ring out of the box. “I’m not finished. There’s more, but those are at the top of the list. So, I’ll cut to the chase. Will you let me be your husband?”

  Taking a steady breath almost proved impossible. She squared her shoulders and inhaled deeply. Then her gaze lowered to the ring again. “Well, we have known each other for less than a year …” She smiled for effect. “Having you as my best friend wouldn’t be such a bad thing.”

  “You sure know how to keep a man hanging.” Jordan glanced over her shoulder and struggled not to laugh. “Baby, no pressure. If you need a little more time, just say so. I can deal with that.”

  She nodded and exhaled.

  “But I warn you, my family is about to lift up the house and move it closer to this conversation if we don’t walk over there soon.”

  Lani brought her head up with a warm smile. “Marrying you is sounding like a winner to me,” she whispered and launched into his embrace. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”

  He slipped the engagement ring on her finger and a roar of cheers came from across the street.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

  Lani was ambushed the second she entered the Spears family home. People she’d never seen before, yelled “Congratulations” and “Happy Birthday”. The house was jam-packed and decorated with birthday party favors. One massive table held a spread of home cooked soul food that had her mouth watering. A side table was loaded with a mountain of gifts. For her! An overwhelming sense of love enveloped her.

  Jordan had done all of this for her. How could she not love a beautiful soul like that? Once everyone quieted down, Jordan announced, “Everyone, this is Lani. Baby, this is your family.”

  His mother and aunts were the first to step forward. They gave her hugs, kisses, and more hugs. Next came cousins, brothers and sisters, nieces, and nephews and their significant—or insignificant—others, then in-laws. The sea of people seemed never-ending. When there was a lull in the activity, Jordan pulled her to the side.

  “How are you feeling, baby?”

  “Like wow,” she replied, beaming. “They even bought presents. They don’t know me, and I’ve seen more kindness from them than a lifetime with my parents.” She inhaled a breath to steady her emotions. “I won’t cry again, but damn it’s going to be hard.”

  “It’s your birthday. You can do whatever you want today. House rules.” Jordan’s arms closed around her, and his lips brushed her temple. “We’ll take this one step at a time, one day at a time. I want to make you my wife as soon as possible. But I think you need to let all of this sink in.”

  She agreed, but part of her was ready to make it official right now. “And I also need to get to the bottom of the situation at the hospital.”

  “We.”

  Lani’s head whipped toward him. “What?”

  “You said I need to, there’s a ‘we’ in this equation now.”

  “You’re right,” Lani said, lacing her hand with his.

  “But let’s not focus on it right now.” He pressed a kiss to her hands. “Let’s have fun and enjoy your birthday.”

  Lani slipped him a naughty grin. “And maybe later, some really good birthday sex?”

  Jordan roared with laughter and winked. “Isn’t there some old saying why buy the cow, if you can get the milk for free?”

  “I’m not looking to buy a cow; I’m aiming for a pig, ‘cause all I want is a little sausage.” She frowned. “Well, maybe not … little.”

  Jordan stared at her, then he doubled over, unable to contain his laughter. “Since you did agree to be my wife … and it’s your birthday and all, I’ll make an exception and let you have your way with me.”

  “Jordan don’t monopolize all that woman’s time,” his mother scolded.

  After waving his mother away, he whispered to Lani all the naughty things he would do to her.

  Warmth engulfed her entire body at his words. “Now that’s more like it.”

  Holding hands, they ventured back into the mass of people and got their party on.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

  As Jordan enjoyed a roasted brew with a coffee cake at Kelsie’s Café while he waited for his guest, his thoughts bounced between Lani’s revelations at Navy Pier, the intense conversation he had with Arianna, his talk with his mother at the hospital, and then the proposal. So many changes in such a short amount of time. And you’ve been half-living ever since.

  Not anymore Carla. Not anymore.

  The café was buzzing with activity as people who had grabbed a warm brew tried to warm up from chilly fall weather.

  His heart swelled whenever Lani crossed his mind. To say she was a kind and loving person didn’t do her justice. And she had been more cautious about things. He no longer had to remind her about securing the house. And he had to accept the fact that whatever was going on with her and The Castle would remain confidential. Not the best feeling to be on the receiving end of that word.

  She had been through such an emotionally bereft childhood, yet despite everything she suffered, she was still willing to love again. His heart ached after listening to her story and the way she’d recounted her past with a dull, lifeless voice. Hearing that her parents treated her more like a trained pet than a cherished gift from God almost laid him low. They would not do that to their children. However they came by them.

  Lani had blossomed into the greatest gift a man could have. He was thankful they’d crossed paths and that she was in his life. He promised himself that he would never take her love for granted.

  “Homes, I was surprised to hear from you.” Hector’s voice snagged Jordan’s attention as he sat in the chair across from him. They had originally agreed to meet in a private room at a restaurant downtown later this evening. At the last minute, Hector changed plans. Jordan glanced over Hector’s shoulder, surprised that his two shadows weren’t with him this time.

  As he slid the manila envelope of cash toward the man, which he’d retrieved from his inner pocket, Jordan said, “I’m paying Quinn’s debt. My mother doesn’t want him to end up in the hospital again.”

  “Yo,” Hector replied, pushing the packet back. “That ain’t on me. I’m not the only person your brother owes.”

  “At least let me take care of this debt.”

  “Nah, man.” Hector stood. “Since we last talked, I’ve been making moves to get out of the life and return to my family business. My mama’s happy to see me coming these days. Consider the score settled.”

  With that, Hector wound his way through the tables, and walked out the door.

  Jordan made a mental note to have Zach talk to Quinn about his situation the moment he came out of his coma. Hopefully, the two of them could assist their wayward brother in getting his life together and getting these other loan sharks off Quinn’s back. Until then, Quinn would have to lay low.

  He grabbed the envelope, threw out the empty cup and plate, and headed to his private studio within the Everett Center to kill time until the emergency board meeting to replace Ms. Hardy.

  “What the hell?” Jordan yelled as he crossed the threshold.

  Ms. Hardy lay on her side, in the nude, on a red blanket, propped up on one elbow. Her other hand rested on her thigh. Hundred-dollar bills were fanned out in front of her. “Am I speaking your language now Mr. At Your Service?” She slid a hand over her curves.

  “You’ve lost your damn mind,” Jordan fumed, feeling dejected that she reduced this to something so low.

  She swiveled onto her butt, spreading her legs wide and intimately touching herself. “Stop pretending you’re not in the business of servicing sexual needs. Come join the party.”

  Jordan pulled out his cell phone. “I suggest you get your desperate ass out of here before I have the police drag you out naked and let that Hawk tear you a new one.”

  Chicago Hawk, unnaturally cold and freezing wind that forced people to walk backwards just to be able to breathe.

  She huffed, collected the cash, and shoved the blanket in a tote. Then she slipped a dress over her head and grabbed her fur coat. “You’ll pay for this.”

  Ms. Hardy stormed out, purposely bumping into him as she went.

  Jordan immediately texted Zach. He had to put a stop to this before she figured out a way to make good on her threat. The next conversation was with Lani to tell her what happened. No secrets.

  “She did what?” Lani asked, as though he hadn’t repeated the story three times. “Do I need to come down and beat her ass?”

  “No, babe,” Jordan left the room and headed to the board meeting. “Zach is working on something to shut this down.”

  “He’d better, or I will.”

  “I kind of like it when the hood comes out of you,” Jordan teased.

  “I’m not hood, but I’ve been around long enough to speak the language.”

  “Love you.” He slipped the phone into his pocket before entering the conference room.

  The board debated new candidates from a previous list of applicants for about an hour before narrowing the selection to the top three. Contact would be made with them to see if any were still available for the position.

  Jordan said his goodbyes then headed to his car. As he pulled off, Zach’s ringtone filled the air. He tapped the answer button on his Bluetooth. “Is everything set up?”

  “She immediately took the bait. She wants you bad, man.” Zach laughed. “I’ll text you when it’s over.”

  If everything went according to plan, Ms. Hardy would be taken out of the equation tonight. He’d had Zach deliver flowers with an apology and invitation with instructions to follow if she wanted to engage his services. The directions were written in such a way to set her up for the charge of solicitation of sex within a thousand feet of a school. It would be too late for her to course correct. Hopefully, Zach’s contact was right that it would be considered entrapment if police were involved in setting the individual up. To make sure the threat of prosecution would hold up, they would give her several attempts to decline the offer. But he was certain she would probably ignore them all.

  “Next time our paths cross, I’ll be the one issuing threats,” Jordan said before ending the call.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

  What is he doing here?

  Lani was surprised to see Daron at Meridian, talking with Dr. Risden, no less. She smiled as she approached them. Lani hadn’t gotten Daron’s message about coming to the hospital today until early this morning because she forgot to charge her phone last night. She called but was sent to his voicemail.

  Last night went better than expected when Zach confirmed that Ms. Hardy did walk straight into Jordan’s trap. Jordan’s invitation gave Ms. Hardy a log-in for a private chat so she could detail what services she wanted, they had video footage of her checking into the hotel, paying for the stay, going to the room and paying the masked man she had assumed was Jordan with cash.

  Ms. Hardy was sent a video clip which resulted in a call. Lani accompanied Jordan to meet his stalker to witness the fact that she signed an NDA promising never to discuss his former career and in return he wouldn’t post or use the video of her paying for sex unless the terms of the agreement were violated. However, before the ink made it to the paper, Ms. Hardy blasted them with a string of fiery words before she conceded defeat knowing her life would negatively be affected regardless of whether the charge stuck in a court of law.

  “Daron, what brings you in today?” She eyed Dr. Risden for signs of mischief, but he held his usual charming and business-like expression.