Chapter 54
Artemis
(ONE WEEK LATER)
He looks like a chaos goblin even in his sleep.
A week ago, my chest still felt like it was caving in on itself, every decision another fire to put out. Now—just watching him breathe—I can finally tell the difference between urgency and background noise.
He’s cuddling a pillow so tightly it makes me grateful that it’s not my head he’s got his arm wrapped around. I’m not sure I’d wake up from sleep if it was.
It’s funny, now that I’ve stopped trying to fight all the fires in my life, everything has come into a sharp focus, decisions are being made with ease, and for the first time in a long time, my clenched jaw isn’t giving me a headache.
Sleeping Beauty is largely to blame. His chaos, his warmth, the lighthouse he has become over the last couple weeks is the anchor I didn’t know I needed. While I was chasing things in all directions, what I needed wasn’t in fact a what, but a who.
“You know watching people sleep is creepy, right?” His mumbled voice is adorable. And teasing seems to be becoming our love language.
“If I climbed into bed with you, I wouldn’t be watching anything other than your cum coating the bed.”
That wakes him up fully. “Why is that not happening right now?” He swings the quilt back then pats the bed with a firm hand.
I can’t help it, the man makes me laugh with his openness. “Company is coming.”
He groans, then speaks directly to his rock-hard cock tenting his PJ pants. “Maybe we should text his sister to wait an hour before she arrives.”
I open my mouth to reply, but a sharp knock on the front door precedes my sister’s voice piercing the air. “We’re here. Put your dicks away.”
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 takes a 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.”