Protecting Salvation: A Shadow Elite Novel

Nervous, Hurricane stood at the centre of the room, his heart pounding in his chest. The space was filled with his closest friends and even his parents and aunt and uncle had come. They’d all gathered for what they believed to be a regular dinner party. Little did they know that tonight would be a night they’d remember forever or at least he would.

As the room buzzed with laughter and conversation, Hurricane’s gaze fell upon the love of his life, Peyton. She looked radiant, her eyes sparkling with joy as she mingled with their loved ones. The thought of spending the rest of his life with her filled him with a sense of profound happiness and gratitude. He’d recovered from his surgery well and although it hadn’t always been easy and he’d had to give up some things he loved like flying for the team because the risk of seizure hadn’t completely gone. Savannah didn’t think it was an issue, but he hadn’t wanted to risk his friends if a situation ever arose unless it was an emergency. He could still fly for fun and he’d gained so much more than he’d lost.

Feeling a mix of excitement and anxiety, Hurricane cleared his throat, capturing the attention of everyone in the room. The din of conversation gradually faded, and all eyes turned to him. He took a deep breath, his voice steady as he began to speak. “Thank you all for being here tonight to celebrate this special moment with us.” Hurricane locked his eyes with Peyton’s, who now looked at him with a mixture of curiosity and anticipation before she smiled, guessing his next move. He’d spent every day for the last six months proposing and tonight he wasn’t taking no for an answer. “Sugar, from the very moment we met, my life took on new meaning. You’ve brought so much love and joy into my world, and I’m eternally grateful for your presence.”

The room fell into a hushed silence, and he continued, his words filled with sincerity and vulnerability. “Peyton, you’re my best friend, my confidante, and the person who makes my heart feel complete. I can’t imagine a future without you by my side. I’ve spent countless nights dreaming of this moment, and now I stand here before you, ready to take the next step in our journey together.”

A wave of emotion washed over him as he reached into his pocket, retrieving a small velvet box. He walked towards Peyton as she sat beside Aoife, who had baby Sian in her arms, his hands trembling slightly with nerves but fuelled by an overpowering love, he continued.

Kneeling on one knee, he held the box out towards her, a radiant smile adorning his face. “Peyton Lawson, will you do me the honour of being my wife? Will you marry me?” Hurricane’s voice quivered with anticipation, his heart racing as he awaited her answer. Time seemed to stand still as all eyes turned to Peyton, who gasped in surprise, her hand covering her mouth.

Tears welled in her eyes, mirroring the joy shining in his own. The room erupted in applause and cheers, their loved ones showing their support for their love.

Peyton’s gaze met his, and her voice trembled with emotion as she responded, “Yes, Warren! A thousand times, yes!”

With tears of happiness streaming down their faces, Hurricane slipped the ring onto Peyton’s finger, sealing their commitment in front of their beloved friends and family, the people who’d saved him time and again. The room erupted into cheers and embraces as they shared their first kiss as an engaged couple, their love radiating throughout the room.

In that moment, surrounded by the warmth of their loved ones, Hurricane couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Their journey had brought them to this point, where love and commitment merged into an unbreakable bond. As their future unfolded before them, he knew that this moment would forever be etched in their hearts as the beginning of a lifetime of love, laughter, and cherished memories together.

Peyton looked into the eyes of the man she loved as he held her against him and swayed. She couldn’t remember ever being so happy or content and there were days when she feared it would all be taken away. That she’d lose it all, and on those days he held her close and reassured her that no matter what life threw at them, they’d survive it together.

“I love you.”

“Sugar, I could burst with how much love I feel for you.”

Her lips found his and he kissed her there in the middle of the dance floor for the people they loved to see. He showed up every day and proved why she had trusted him with her heart because he’d never handle it with anything but care.

The trauma from her attacks and kidnapping still haunted her but she was seeing a therapist and slowly healing. She also knew healing could be a lifelong process and she was okay with that. Her glance caught on Watchdog, who sat alone in the corner, his body language warning people to stay away. He still had a long way to go but he’d get there as well.

A tap on her back had her turning to see Marni smiling at them. The child was a frequent visitor to their new home. The old place just had too many bad memories now and so they’d bought a new place not two miles away with four bedrooms and enough land for any kids they might be blessed with to run around.

“Hello, sweetheart.”

“Can I be a bridesmaid?”

Her face was open and full of hope as she looked up at them. Peyton smiled at Hurricane and winked. “You sure can, but we don’t know when or where yet, but whenever and wherever, you’re a bridesmaid.”

“Yes!” Marni pumped the air with her fist and then gave them a quick hug before she ran to tell Val and Bás, who looked at them and grinned.

“I want it sooner rather than later.”

“I want it small and maybe a marquee at Val and Bás place?”

“Done.”

Peyton laughed, her head thrown back with pure joy. “Not exactly. We need to ask them first.”

“They’ll say yes.”

She agreed but she’d still ask before she got her hopes up. “Have you seen Lotus today?”

Warren nodded. “Yeah, I saw her ranting at Damon earlier.”

Her eyes caught on a movement behind Warren’s shoulder and she grinned, biting her lip. “That doesn’t look like any kind of ranting I do.”

He turned and they watched as Damon grabbed an angry-looking Lotus, bent her back, and kissed her senseless. It was hot and romantic and they looked damn good together. Peyton stared as Lotus pulled back and slapped him hard, both of them glaring and breathing hard and then she dove at him. He caught her as she kissed him this time and carried her out of the private room they were using for this impromptu engagement party.

“Well, that was interesting.”

“Yeah, it was. Now, how about we head home and I show you just how much I like this dress?”

Peyton cocked her head and gave him a coy look. “Surely you can tell me here?”

Warren growled and bent so his lips feathered her ear. “Sugar, if you don’t get that hot little body in my car in the next ten minutes our guests are going to be getting dinner and a show.”

“Oh.”

He bit her neck and she moaned. “Yeah, oh. Now get moving, fiancée.”

“I love it when you’re bossy.”

“Yeah, you do and now you have a lifetime of it.”

He lifted her over his shoulder and waved at his friends. “Goodnight all.”

Peyton laughed as she waved from upside down. She didn’t care that they all knew what they’d be doing. She had the man she loved and friends she cherished, what more could a girl ask for.