Xavier groans harder before pointing his finger at me. “You need to fix this later.” Then he points at his cock. “We aren’t happy.”
“Be right there.” If I don’t acknowledge Athena’s presence, there’s an eighty percent chance of her bursting in here and getting an eye full. Eighty-five to ninety percent depending on the day.
“Hurry up, you two. This food isn’t going to last much longer.” Scott’s threat gets Xavier out of bed. He’s easily led by his stomach when his dick is in time out.
“You better not eat it all.” Xavier’s already pulling a shirt out of my drawer, cementing my decisions in my chest with the finality of concrete.
He does it without asking, without hesitation. It’s like this space already belongs to him, a thought that settles instead of rattles.
“Mmmmmm this is sooooo good.” Scott’s a shit stirrer, and Xavier is already pushing past me to get out to the dining room.
“I’ll kill your best friend if he eats my fucking breakfast.”
Before he can leave, I grab his face and pull him into a kiss. “I love you.” The words don’t feel like a promise I might break anymore. They feel like a fact.
Inevitable. Unshakable.Permanent. Very definitely permanent.
He cups my face with both his hands. We’re both grateful he no longer has to wear that stupid sling. “I love you, too. But right now, I’m in a committed relationship with whatever food your sister has brought over.”
By the time I get to the table—only two steps behind my boyfriend—he’s already halfway through his first breakfast burrito. Scott tosses one my way, giving me a look that says he’s seen the interview I did right after I left the boardroom last week.
There is no judgment in his eyes—just cautious approval, like he’s watching how I hold the weight of the situation, or for any sign that I might be regretting it or want to take it back. I don’t, but my heart clenches. If he’s not on board with this, I’ll deal.
But I’d really like for everyone to get on board. My siblings were easier to convince than I expected, mostly because I didn’t need to convince them. In fact, Ares says he’s seen it coming and was wondering what the fuck took me so long to come to the realization that the path I’m walking isn’t the one I’m supposed to be on.
The relief surprised me. I hadn’t realized how braced I was for their resistance until it never actually came.
“You ready?” Athena gives me her ‘this is it, don’t fuck it up,’ stare. It isn’t about the company or the press, it’s about telling the truth out loud and letting it stand.
Xavier pauses, looking between me and my sister, burrito hovering in front of his mouth. “No.” He waves his food from Athena to me. “Whatever drama is about to happen, no. We’re officially drama free. Ding, dong, Daddy DLP is gone. We won the war. We don’t have room for fuckery right now.” He takesa bite, satisfied that he’s stopped potential drama from coming anywhere near him.
“I’m ready.” I pull out the chair and sit next to Xavier while Athena sets up her phone. I take his hand, and he regards my face with a curious intensity that warms my skin. His thumb rhythmically brushes the inside of my wrist, like he’s primed for whatever comes next.
“Ready for what?” It’s a whisper, his quiet breath laced with uncertainty.
“Ready to set myself on the path I should have been on for a while now.”
His brows climb, but he nods like he trusts me.
“I did an interview last week after I left the boardroom, and I’d like for you to see it before it goes live tomorrow. So, you’re not caught off guard.”
With bees buzzing in my stomach, I look at my sister. Fear flickers inside me, then settles into something firmer. This is the right choice—even if it costs me everything I thought I wanted. “Play it.”
CHAPTER 55
Xavier
I’m going to throw up. Not because I think something’s wrong—I don’t think Artemis would blindside me like that in front of people—but because it feels like whatever’s about to happen is going to change everything. It feels… big.
Athena’s screen lights up with Artemis sitting with a woman I vaguely recognize. What’s going on?
“That’s Claudia. Aka Tabitha.” Athena’s steady voice does little to settle the raging nerves fluttering under my skin.
My stomach drops. Great. The woman who tried to bury the man I love is now sitting across from him like they’re doing brunch. Mimosa anyone?
I don’t know what this performance is about, but it’s clearly important to Artemis, because he keeps casting cautious glances my way. Glances which honestly, serve only to make me even more nervous.
On the screen, Claudia’s hands tremble just enough that she clasps them together on the table. “Thank you for agreeing to this.” Her voice is as shaky as her hands. “I know I’m… not your first choice.”
