CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR #3
“Because I needed that confirmation. Zara and I have been jumping into one rabbit hole after another.” He stalls for a laden beat, the heaviness of it drifting through the phone.
“There’s a lot we need to discuss, and I will approach this in a manner that is best for everyone, including Sylvie.
Don’t take her off property. It’s probably best not to even let her out of your sight here.
And you have to stay the fuck away from Danny Gordon. ”
I grunt a noncommittal response, adding, “We can discuss that further in your office.”
“I’ll be busy this afternoon, following some leads. We’ll talk after family dinner tonight.”
He sounds like he’s going out of his mind, which means the rabbit holes he’s referring to must have to do with KORT and this shit with my sister’s family.
His warning not to let Sylvie out of my sight has my stomach twisting with the notion of her being in danger.
Even here. At least she hasn’t been fighting me when I ensure she wears her bracelet each day.
I wish we could blow all this off, but Axel is obviously eager to fill us in and move forward.
I’m just not sure my plans align with anyone else’s. Not even Sylvie’s.
After the call ends, Bernard swiftly makes an excuse to leave. He welcomes a hug from her and smirks at me above her head—undoubtedly remembering my teen years and all the times he caught me using his access card to break into areas I wasn’t supposed to be in.
“Don’t go easy on him, Miss Palmer, and enjoy the massage.” With that, Bernard leaves, and Sylvie sashays back to her seat.
She clocks my arched brow and fills me in. “He arranged for me to get a massage anytime I’d like as a late birthday present since I gave the spa days away. Sweet, right?”
All I can think about is how irate it makes me to imagine anyone else’s hands on her—even a masseuse’s—but that’s probably a thought I shouldn’t share right now.
“Bernard is a thoughtful guy.” I swig my whiskey and push my cards aside, which catches her attention. “I’d like to cut a deal with E, where you turn over the keys and he can have someone else complete the final task.”
“No.” She locks her jaw, her fierceness rising.
“There is no way he’d go for that. And he shouldn’t.
It’s too risky. I’ve been at that resort before.
I have at least some idea of what to expect.
He can’t get someone else trained and up to speed in time.
And even if you could cut a deal, I don’t want this hanging over my head for the rest of my life. Or my mother’s or Flora’s.”
I knew she’d react like that, and I don’t want her to be someone she isn’t, but even the breadcrumbs Axel alluded to tell me this is nothing like her typical jobs.
“There are ways to work around that.” I get up and round the table, taking the chair next to her and lacing our fingers together. “Regardless, this will not be hanging over your head. I will never let that happen.”
“Okay,” she breathes, picking up on my unease. She brushes some hair off my forehead and cups my cheek. “I feel safe with you, and I can handle this. So, what’s going on?”
It’s just like her mother claimed. Sylvie is most comfortable being the anchor, even if she’s sinking.
“You can conquer anything, Sly, but … I think Axel has a vested interest in how this goes down.”
She hums, like she expected that. “And what will that mean?”
“Whatever you need it to.” I lift her from her hips and drag her onto my lap, and she wraps her arms around my neck. “We’re meeting with him later, but I’ll be there for you.”
“Your family means everything to you, Cash. And I like that they do. It reinforces what an amazing man you are, someone I’m proud to be with. This is my mess. I don’t expect you to—”
“You mean everything to me.”
She stares at me like she can’t quite believe that, but manages to say, “Thanks.”
I know she’s bracing herself for the moment I don’t choose her. It will take every ounce of self-control I’ve ever possessed not to lynch every goddamn person who has let this woman down.
“You’ve got walls up, and for now, I’m going to keep being patient about tearing those down because you’re mine.
And I have no doubts about where you belong.
” I palm her head and nip at her jaw, heeding every caught breath as I travel to her neck.
“But this is not a layover, Palmer.” I sear a trail of kisses up the hollow of her throat until I reach her chin.
“You are my destination. And I am yours.” My teeth sink into her plush lower lip with a sting to punctuate my point.
“Nothing will taint that.” I latch my eyes to hers.
“Certainly not my family, who is prepared to be your fortress as soon as you let them in.”
Her ambers well with tears, turning almost copper in the dim lighting. Whether that emotion is for gratitude or grief, I’m not sure.
“It’s you and me.” I swipe my tongue across the seam of her lips, drawing out a seductive moan from her. “Us and them. Whatever happens, we face it together.”
“Sylvie and Cash,” she whispers with a wry grin.
“It’s more than that, baby. Sly and Noire. This is your empire now. And Noires always win.”