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I turn away from him, feigning sleep though slumber remains elusive. I can't forgive him, not yet. Can't give in to the urge to melt into his embrace and let him make everything better.
Because he can't. Not this time. He has to grow up and I can't help any more than I have already.
Dare sighs, his hand gently squeezing mine before he slips from the room. My fingers curl into a fist, clinging to the memory of his touch.
I'm no longer sure it's enough, though.
When the first rays of dawn filter through my window, I'm still awake. Still wrestling with emotions too complicated to name, a future too frightening to face alone.
ChapterTwenty-Six
DARE
Felix saunters into the little office I have set up in the loft, a smug grin plastered on his face. My fingers instantly curl into fists beneath the desk.
"How did you get in here?" I hiss.
He chuckles, leaning against the door frame. "You really need to invest in better security, nephew. Those security guards you have posted let me just breeze in."
"I doubt that very much."
I stand up, feeling the need to contain Felix's toxic ooze to one room. I usher him in, pointing to a seat and closing the door. Felix saunters over to the seat and crosses his arms, deliberately defying me.
I grit my teeth. "What do you want, Felix?"
He shrugs, still grinning. "Just checking in on my nephew. And his new wife, of course." He emphasizes the last word, his gaze flickering to the door. "How is Talia doing?"
I tense at the mention of Talia, my grip on the desk tightening. "That's none of your business."
Felix shrugs and looks around my office, as though bored with the conversation. "You know, Dare, I never thought you had it in you to marry. Let alone force a woman into being your wife. But I have to admit, it's quite a scandalous story."
I feel a muscle tic in my jaw. "My patience is wearing thin. What is it that you have gone out of your way to commit felony trespass to say?"
He spreads his hands and gives me a pacifying smile.
"Have you reconsidered my offer?" His voice drips with false charm.
I clench my jaw, grinding my teeth. "There's nothing to reconsider. You're not getting part of the company. Remy has made several conditions for me to take over the company. And I plan to abide by them."
That's a lie. Remy also demanded that I divorce Talia and give her to my brother. Which will happen approximately when there is an icy day in hell.
Felix's eyes narrow, the congenial mask slipping. "You always did have to make things difficult." He prowls closer, looming near. Trying to intimidate me with his height, though he's close to my own stature. "But you'll come around. You always do."
My heart pounds as I click my tongue, refusing to be intimidated. "Get out."
"Or what?" He laughs, a harsh bark. "You'll throw another tantrum? We both know you don't have the spine to—"
I slam my fist onto my desk. "Enough! I will not give you an inch of Morgan Drilling. Now get out before I have you removed."
Felix's lips peel back, rage twisting his features. "You always were a smug little bastard. You'll regret this."
He reaches in his pocket and pulls out a folded sheaf of papers. Making aggressive eye contact with me, he drops them on my desk and then storms out, slamming the door behind him.
Ignoring the papers he left, I whip out my phone, texting my bodyguard that he's in the building.
Then I slip down the corridor to my bedroom, where I open the door an inch. Talia is sprawled out across the bed, blankets and hair askew, sleeping like a dead thing. Watching her for a few minutes is comforting to me, even though I've just come to watch over her while Felix is lurking around.
She is so peaceful. I almost want to join her, but I decide against it after a moment. It's better to let her nap. Returning to the office, I sag into my chair, dragging a hand over my face. My mind turns back to the situation at hand.
