Chapter 49
Shannon
“Why are we here?” she asked as the Mustang slowed to a crawl.
Rolling green fields stretched in every direction, fenced paddocks dotted with glistening horses.
A large sweeping stone wall announced the entrance: Unity Equine Facilities .
Jamie’s hand tightened around the steering wheel. “Because I own this place.”
She blinked. “You’re kidding. You own Unity? The Unity? One of the most prestigious racing yards in Europe? I didn’t even know there was a site in Fermanagh.”
“It’s the original,” he said, eyes locked forward.
“It’s called Unity because we’ve built facilities all over Europe. Each one feeds into the brand. But this—” he nodded at the view beyond the windscreen, “—this is where it all started. Every major trainer and investor in the industry wants in here. ”
The car rolled up a long, pristine lane lined with white fencing and manicured hedgerows, ending at a sprawling stone barn conversion and a cluster of expansive, high-end outbuildings at the rear.
“Jamie…” her voice trailed off as she looked around in wonder. “This is crazy. All this time…you never said a word.”
His grip on the wheel tightened, knuckles whitening. He parked the car, then turned toward her, gaze dark and intense.
“Our first meeting didn’t go well when I offered you money, remember? You told me you weren’t some damsel who needed rescued or bought. I respected the hell out of that, but it also meant I held back.”
He reached out, his fingers threading through her hair before trailing down to her jaw.
His thumb pressed beneath her chin, the rest of his fingers framing her face with a firm, possessive grip. He tilted her head until her eyes were on his. No room to hide.
“I never needed you to match my income. That was your boundary, not mine. And even now— especially now —you’re the mother of my kid. The woman I worship. I’ll give you the world, love.”
Her lips parted, but he was already leaning in, his voice dark and low.
“You fell for me before you knew any of this. Don’t pretend otherwise.”
“Who said I fell for you?” she challenged, brows lifting playfully .
He arched a brow, gaze narrowing as his hand moved to her thigh.
“Oh, you can play coy all you want, but there’s no denying it.”
Shannon smiled, a hand flying to her mouth to hide it.
“Fine. I like you. A bit.” She joked. “That’s not the same.”
His dimple deepened with the smirk that followed. “I like you too, love. A fucking big bit.”
She glanced out the window, her voice fragile.
“It’s so much to take in. Life’s been a whirlwind since we met. I know you said Trixie was in good hands, but I miss her. Can l see the horses at Meadow Dawn before someone takes them away from the yard?”
“Don’t be scared of losing them, love,” he said, before his hand slid down, splaying across her belly.
“You still trust me, don’t you?”
“Yes,” she breathed, eyes locked on his.
“Then don’t get mad when I tell you something I probably should’ve told you sooner.” His lips quirked with a trace of smugness. “I bought Meadow Dawn for you. Every acre. Every horse.”
Her brows drew together. “What? I don’t understand?—”
“The only thing on my mind when I thought they’d lock me up was you.
What you’d lose. I needed to give you something of your own.
Something no one could ever take from you.
Even if I couldn’t be there. I had the best legal team in the country working around the clock to secure it for you. That yard is all yours.”
Emotion welled in her throat, thick and overwhelming.
“Jamie, you’re more important to me than Meadow Dawn…more than anything. You know that, right?”
He leaned in, his hand firm against her bump, his voice gritty and rough as gravel.
“We’re building our future together, love.”
She blinked fast as tears burned her eyes, unable to respond.
Jamie flung open the car door and climbed out. “I have a surprise for you.”
Before she could question him, he was rounding the hood with long strides and opening her door like he owned the world, and in her eyes, he did.
He held out his hand, palm up, like a silent order laced with intimacy.
“Take my hand, love.”
She slipped hers into his without hesitation, the familiar jolt of heat travelling up her arm.
They walked through the sleek, glass-fronted office building, shoulders brushing. Phones rang, staff murmured into headsets, and every head turned the moment Jamie entered.
He didn’t nod. Didn’t need to. His presence demanded attention. Respect followed him like a shadow.
“Everything in order?” he asked the man stationed at reception .
“Yes, sir. The vet’s ready for you.”
Jamie didn’t break stride, leading her out through a back door with that same confident grip anchoring her to him.
The sunlight hit them as they stepped into a sweeping courtyard flanked by pristine, white-rendered stables.
At least ten thoroughbreds hung their heads over the doors, ears flicking at their arrival.
Her mouth parted in awe. “How big is this place?”
“Only about fifty-nine acres,” he replied. “Smallest yard we own. But it’s my favourite, especially now, after a few important upgrades.”
“Upgrades?” she echoed, heart quickening.
“You’ll like this.” His tone was a low promise. “Hydro pool. Gallops. Round pen. Horse walker. Full-time on-site vet clinic. We’ve just partnered with a guy who externally maps the horse’s skeletal structure for rider alignment. Thought it might be useful when you’re training at Meadow Dawn.”
Her breath caught.
“There’s a horse in the clinic now, getting a check-up. Wanna meet the team?”
She nodded, letting him lead her across the yard, past parked staff cars and a massive horse transporter.
When they reached the door, he paused, twisting the handle.
“In here.”
The cool blast of antiseptic hit her nostrils. She stepped in—and froze .
Her lungs stuttered. Her heart cracked open.
Trixie.
The first love of her life stood in the centre of the exam room, glossy-coated and radiant under the overhead lights.
A young man in a white coat hovered beside her, scribbling notes.
“She’s not hurt, is she?” Shannon surged forward, hands trembling as she cupped Trixie’s warm neck, kissing her muzzle, burying her face into the soft silk of her coat.
“She’s perfect,” the vet said with a smile. “Fit as a fiddle.”
Tears spilled over her cheeks. She turned to Jamie. “Does this mean she’s yours now? You bought her?”
Jamie leaned against the doorframe, arms folded, exuding command. “I don’t own her.”
Her chest caved. “Then who—? Jamie, don’t tease. Who owns her?”
“You do.”
She blinked. “No, I—what?”
“She was always yours, Shannon.” His voice dropped to something more intimate. “Harry registered her in your name the day she was born. Harry kept the papers locked in his safe. I found them when we started negotiating the purchase.”
Her lip wobbled. “Harry never told me…”
Jamie stepped closer, towering and calm, his hand brushing a tear off her cheek with a knuckle.
“I’ve made sure she stays yours forever. The dust needs to settle at Meadow Dawn before you go back,” Jamie said, watching her.
“I want to upgrade the place to mirror Unity’s setup. State-of-the-art. A legacy you can build on. All this,”—his hand swept across the yard—“belongs to us now, Shannon. But until then, I figured you’d want her close.”
She blinked at him, her voice quiet. “All this is yours, Jamie. Not mine.”
His jaw tightened, the muscle ticking once. He didn’t argue. Just kept stroking Trixie’s neck with slow, grounding sweeps of his palm, letting the silence speak for him.
A soft sigh slipped from her lips. “It’s such a shame I can’t ride her.”
“I know,” he agreed. “That’s why I’ve arranged for Mitchell Ashfield to ride her on your behalf. You’re listed as the owner and trainer. He’s already agreed but wants to discuss the next steps with you personally. Are you happy with that setup?”
Her mind spun. “Uh-huh.”
Joy and grief crashed together, knotting in her gut. Trixie was finally hers. Safe. But Harry was still dead. And now his yard was in her hands like he wanted.
Jamie noticed the shift in her energy. His hand settled on her lower back, his touch firm and reassuring. “Walk with me, love. I’ll show you her stall.”
He guided her out of the clinic, across the concrete yard. They entered a vast barn, the scent of fresh hay and leather thick in the air. Open-fronted stables lined the walls, many still empty .
They passed three. Then Jamie halted.
Her eyes drifted to the door where someone had fitted a gleaming nameplate that spelled
Venatrix Meadow Dawn—the name engraved in elegant script on brushed metal.
Slung over the top rail was a hand stitched, tan leather saddle bag.
“The stall’s for your girl,” Jamie said. “The saddle bag’s for you.”
She raised an eyebrow. “You do realise they called me saddle bags at school, right?”
His grin flashed, dimple and all. “Yeah, I know. They were idiots and now you’re embracing it. Go on, open it up and see what’s inside.”
Her fingers hesitated before lifting the flap. Nestled inside was a small, navy velvet box.
No…way.
With trembling hands, she pulled it out and flipped the lid open.
Inside sat a smoky grey diamond, round and glinting like storm light. Black and white diamonds framed the centre stone, trailing down either side of the platinum band in a perfect balance of wild and refined.
She stared. Frozen. Speechless.
Jamie’s voice dropped behind her, deep and low.
“It’s not just about my love for you. It’s about building a life together. Fulfilling your dreams and desires. Protecting what’s mine. I hope you like it. I had it made by a designer in New York because I want to marry you, Shannon. ”
Her heart pounded as she stared at the ring. “Are you asking me to marry you because I’m pregnant?”
His deep chuckle rumbled through his chest as he stepped into her.
“I’m good, love, but I’m not that good. Jewellery like that takes time to make. I ordered it long before we even knew about the baby.”
His palm settled on her belly, and she swore his whole body softened at the contact.
“You belong beside me as my partner, my equal, the woman I want to build a future with.”
His hand framed her face, thumb brushing her cheek. “But when it’s just us, love…when I’ve got you trembling for me…”
His mouth curved, eyes burning into hers.
“That’s when you’ll be my good girl. And I’ll take care of you like you deserve—every inch, every time.”
Her breath caught, the world narrowing, her focus on the heat in his eyes.
Partner. Equal. Good girl.
She should’ve rolled her eyes. Teased him. But instead, her skin tingled, her legs turned soft beneath her, and something warm bloomed behind her ribs.
“God, I love you,” she whispered, trying to smile but failing when her voice cracked.
“All the money, the businesses… When you agree to marry me, love, it’s not just me you’re taking on. It’s the whole fucking empire. Whether you want it or not, it becomes yours, too.”
Her hands slid under the hem of his polo shirt, fingertips brushing his abs like she needed to anchor herself to his truth.
“You love me, too, right?”
His brow dipped, voice thick. “You know I do.”
“Then that’s all that matters.” Her voice trembled, but her eyes held steady. “We’re already a family, Jamie. You, me, and this little life we’ve made. With or without a ring.”
He dropped his forehead to hers, his voice a gravelled growl against her mouth.
“Say it. Say yes, and I’ll spend the rest of my life making you smile. I’ll give you everything, love. You won’t lift a finger unless it’s to touch me.”
“Yes.” She nipped his lip, slow and teasing. “I’ll marry you. But I’m not marrying you for your bank account. I’m marrying the man who held my broken world together. I’m honoured you picked me to be the last woman to ever have your dick in her mouth.”
His eyes flared with heat, and that signature devastating smile spread across his face. “Christ, woman. You know exactly how to wreck me.”
“I love you more than I ever thought I could love anyone, Jamie.”
Jamie’s hand slid into hers, slipping the ring onto her finger with a reverence that made her heart thump louder.
He stepped back, arms wide, as if presenting himself. “You like this too, right? Comes as part of the package.”
She gave him a mock-considering look, then grabbed the front of his jeans and rubbed her hand over the fullness behind the zipper.
“Mmm… Your looks are a solid bonus. But what I really love is this thing right here…”
His groan was pure sin.
“Get in the stable,” he growled. “Drop to your knees. I want to see that ring on your finger when you suck my dick, owning me.”
Her mouth parted with a gasp. “Jamie…”
“Shannon?”
“Thank you,” she whispered.
He smiled, slow and lethal. “No, love. Thank you for being mine. From this day forward, you’re not just my woman, you’re my entire fucking world. And I’ll protect you with everything I’ve got.”
He gripped her chin, tilting her face to his. “You carry my child, wear my ring, take my dick like my good fucking girl, and belong to me in every way that counts. There’s no going back now, love.”
His mouth crashed onto hers for a fast, hard kiss, and when he pulled back, his eyes burned with heat and devotion.
“I’m going to love you, ruin you and own you until the day I die.”
The End .