His gaze softened. “Good girl.”
Luca came back, his mouth immediately finding mine, smothering me in kisses, hands cupping my face. “You were perfect. You don’t even know how beautiful you looked. Daddy’s perfect angel.”
Bastion shifted, taking over. He wiped me gently with a warm cloth, slow strokes between my thighs, murmuring praise as if every inch of me deserved worship.
“So soft. So good for us. You did everything we asked, angel. Daddy’s proud.”
When I was clean, he lifted me into his arms, carrying me. My head dropped against his shoulder, my pulse still fluttering.
He noticed. He always noticed.
His lips brushed my temple. “Slow, but steady. That’s good. I’ve got you.”
He lowered me into the warm bath between them. The heat wrapped around me, easing the ache. Luca settled behind me, his arms circling my waist, pressing kisses to my neck and shoulders, whispering how perfect I was. Bastion knelt in front, his eyes never leaving mine, his hands smoothing water over me, his lips pressing reverent kisses to my knees, my wrists, my mouth.
“You’re safe, angel,” Bastion whispered. “Between us. Always.”
“Always ours,” Luca added, holding me tighter.
And I believed them. Because even in the water, even undone and trembling, they kept me between them, anchored.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
EMILIA
Alexander’s voice was calm, as if he were reciting weather reports, not reordering my life.
“The merger is finalized. Alaric Vale’s group takes a percentage, small. The Accord returns to the Adams line. You should be relieved.”
I wasn’t.
He kept going. “If that deal were to fail—which is unlikely—the Gallos and the Salvos remain in line. But it won’t fail.” His tone left no room for doubt. “Your future is secured.”
My throat tightened. My future was finished.
“The families will not agree to your terms regarding heirs. Your heir are dynasty bloodline, and will be treated as such. That is non-negotiable.”
It hurt. Physically hurt. I wanted to open my mouth, argue, have the courage I somehow found in that boardroom. But I was shocked. I came downstairs for breakfast, not to be told I would be formally announced engaged next week.
Alexander glanced at his watch. “Dinner tonight with Alaric and his cousins. I expect you presentable.”
And then he was gone. Leaving me with a cup coffee Iwouldn’t drink. Presentable. As I had been anything but that my whole life.
The silence after him felt louder than his voice had.
I sat still and unlocked my phone.
I can’t make dinner tonight. I’m sorry.
Luca: You okay?
I’m fine.
Bastion: Why?
Dinner with Alexander and associates.
Luca: We’ll come get you after.
