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“There’s no doubt; I’m loved and surrounded by family,” I tell him. “And I’m so much stronger now, I don’t need…” I allow my words to taper off because I don’t need to tell Cassian anything more; he knows. He always knows what’s on my mind, sometimes even before I know it.
“I know,” he whispers before he turns back to the table and we dig into the delicious meal. The rest of dinner is filled with laughs, chatter about gifts and opening them, and of course, the Thorne Haven party that will ring in the new year.
I didn’t think I’d be so excited about the future.
There’d been a long time where I was lost, where I thought I needed a high to get through it. But even then, even when I was at my lowest, it was Cassian’s support that got me through.
“I’d like to make a toast,” Mr. Thorne says before pushing his chair back, he rises in one fluid motion. Lifting the flute of bubbly golden liquid, he smiles at each person. “This is a time for family. It’s always been our wish to have everyone at one table. Long after the boys’ mother died, I spent so much time alone; I didn’t think a happy family was possible, but now, we’ve only grown, and I’m so proud of all three of my sons. Welcome to the family, Kalyn and her mom, Astrid.” He offers a smile as everyone lifts their glasses in a cheer to us.
By the time Cassian and I head to bed, I’m exhausted from the long day. He slides under the covers beside me and pulls me closer, his arms wrapping around my waist, which immediately warms me.
“I have something for you,” Cass whispers, which makes me laugh because I can feel his hardness pressing against my ass. “Not that, little liar.” His growl sends a shiver down my spine.
“Then what do you have, handsome?” I question, rolling over in his arms to face him. His expression turns serious when he takes me in, and for a moment, panic twists in my gut.
“I’ve had this for years. I bought it for your birthday before you left, but that night, I never got to give it to you,” he murmurs, his words making my chest ache when I remember that night.
Cassian grabs a box from the drawer beside the bed before handing it to me. Scooting up, I take the item, a sleek velvet box. I snap the lid and find a gold necklace resting on the cushion inside. There’s a pendant hanging from the chainin the shape of a large, shimmering gold star. There’s a diamond in the center, shining as I lift it against the dim light in the bedroom.
“This is… this is incredible, Cass.” My voice is a whisper of awe. I’ve never seen anything like it, and when I turn it over, there’s a small inscription—For my North star. I love you—with the date below it. My seventeenth birthday.
As I blink, tears fall easily down my cheeks. I fucked up so much when I lied. I should have been stronger that night. I should have listened to Cassian and stopped with the drugs and alcohol.
“Hey,” he says, drawing my attention to him. “I love you,” he whispers, causing my heart to leap into my throat at his admission.
“I love you too,” I tell him earnestly. It’s the most honest thing I’ve ever said. “I’ve loved you since I first saw you; I just didn’t realize it then.”
“Now you do?” he quips playfully as he takes the chain and laces it around my neck. Once the clasp is in place, I turn to press my lips to his in a gentle kiss.
“Now I do, and I’ll never let you forget it.” I smile, rolling him onto his back and straddling his hips. “I don’t ever want to lose you,” I murmur as I lean in and steal his lips.
Cassian deepens the kiss, his hands gripping my ass, squeezing until I whimper into his mouth. I don’t think we’ll get much sleep tonight, but I’d rather be losing precious minutes of sleep with Cassian than doing anything else.
Cassian
One year later
I’m pacing in my office when the door opens, and Finn saunters in, looking like he’s just been told his puppy died. The corners of his mouth have dipped in a frown as he settles in one of the wingback chairs opposite my desk. I stop, look at him, and arch a brow in question.
“Did I ever mention how much I hate Dad?” he complains as he leans back in the chair, his hands behind his head as he looks up at the ceiling.
“What’s happened now?” With Damien and I handling Thorne Industries, Finn has decided to leave the family business. When he told our father that he was no longer interested in being a suit, it didn’t go down well, but finally, Dad agreed and gave Finn the option of doing his own thing.
