"Miss Warbird," the reporter said, swinging his little tape recorder away from me. "Anything you want to say to the people?"
Sophie smiled, and I could see the reporter's eyes glitter, enchanted. I could understand the sentiment. The three months we'd spent abroad had allowed her to blossom. She was pretty confident before, smart and lively, and sexy as hell, but now all of those qualities were dialed up to eleven. She had become the type of woman who walks into a room, and everyone stops to see what she's doing. What self-consciousness she did have before seemed to have disappeared. I had to intentionally become overly bombastic and attention grabbing just to get the first comments from people. "Well, like Marcus said, I'm glad to be here," Sophie said. "I'm a huge fan of football, and let's face it, no team has better fans than the Spartans."
The reporter smiled and nodded. He looked like he was getting ready to ask another question, but Sophie cut him off. "I'd love to talk more, but I'm very excited to see our new home. Maybe your office can contact us directly later?"
"Sure," the news guy said, mollified. He took out his business card and handed it to Sophie, who passed it along to me. "I know our style editor would love to talk with you about that hair."
Outside the airport, our rented BMW was waiting for us. It was one of the most frustrating parts about assuming the new identity of Marcus Smiley. As Mark Snow, I had various cars, properties, and other equipment ready for use. But, since the Confederation and probably Owen Lynch knew where most of it was, my tools were reduced to what I had in the Mount Zion belfry, and purchasing new equipment. A lot of it, like guns, was easily replaced, if a bit of a hassle. There was some of it though that was very difficult to replicate or replace.
"You know, I miss the Electric Dream Machine," Sophie said as we pulled away. I nodded. My all-electric Mercedes was one of the most noticeable trademarks of Mark Snow. It had gotten to the point that I didn't even need to do much more than drive it by the business or house of my target and they would fold. That is, if intimidation was my goal. Floating by silently, the blue GT-S got attention. Sadly, I'd never get to drive it again, it had been sold off through a third party, the funds donated to a charity to throw off any traces. I liked that car, too.
"Well, now that we're back in town, we'll see about getting something for each of us," I said. "After all, as the newest socialite millionaire, we're supposed to do at least a bit of conspicuous consumption."
Thankfully, there were no reporters waiting outside the Mount Zion property. I pulled in, shutting down the engine and looking over at her. "Well, we're home."
Sophie smiled, then looked down at her hands. They're beautiful, with graceful fingers and hidden strength. Even two months of hard training in Eastern Europe hadn't marred their beauty to me, although she had appreciated the manicure we'd gotten in London during our one-day stopover on the way home. She seemed to struggle with what she wanted to say, then looked over from the passenger seat at me. "Did you mean it?"
"Mean what?" I asked, taking the keys out and slipping them into the pocket of the Italian sport coat I was wearing. "That we're supposed to do some conspicuous consumption?"
"No, in the airport," she said, looking like the shy, somewhat insecure Sophie I'd met almost four months ago. "You told the reporter that I'm your fiancée."
The revelation hit me like a thunderbolt. In all the hurry and stress of training, and then getting back to the city to implement our rushed plan, I hadn't found the time to do what is most important. "Get out of the car."
Sophie looked at me like I was crazy, but I just smiled and got out, going around to her side. Opening her door, I held out my hand and helped her out before dropping to a knee. It was still a bit early, but I knew this woman was for me. I’d never met anyone like her, and when I know I want something, I’m not the type of man to waste time. “Sophie White…Warbird, will you marry me?"
Sophie blinked, and I could see the shine of tears in her eyes before she nodded. "Of course, you idiot," she said, pulling me to my feet and embracing me. Kisses rained down on my cheeks, and she jumped into my arms. "Now, take me into our new home and seal the deal."
"Mmmmm, yes ma'am," I teased, holding her easily as we headed towards the front door. "I just hope the renovations are complete."
Chapter 21
Sophie