Chapter 10
“You should sleep,” I murmured.
He let out a low chuckle, slid in beside me, and wrapped an arm around my waist, careful not to press on the bruises.
“Then I’m sleeping with you.
My body healed up little by little, but Clark still wouldn’t let me leave.
“Simon’s locked up, yeah, but the Muttries are still out there. I’m not taking chances.”
His fingers skimmed over the faint scars on my wrist. His eyes darkened.
I exhaled. “You gonna keep me locked in here forever?”
He dipped his head and bit my earlobe, voice dropping. “If I could, I’d keep you all to myself.”
That surge of possessiveness had my heart thudding, but I couldn’t resist poking at him.
“Mr. Johnston, sounds like illegal confinement.”
He laughed, threading his fingers through my hair, hand cradling my head as he kissed me.
“Then sue me.”
The kiss hit hard–like he was trying to steal every breath I had.
He didn’t let go until I melted in his arms. His thumb skimmed my lips, eyes dark.
“Pretty sure the judge’d let me off.”
“Yeah? Why’s that?”
He leaned in, voice all gravel. “Because I love you too damn much.”
Three months later, Muttrie Corp tanked.
Simon and Nancy got slammed with ten years for corporate espionage.
Word was, in court, Nancy cracked first–ugly crying, throwing Simon under the bus, saying he tricked her.
And Simon? Snapped. Went after her right in front of the judge.
The courtroom turned into total chaos–until the bailiffs stormed in and tore them apart.
Their charges got bumped after that mess.
But honestly? I stopped caring.
+25 Bonus
1/2
Chapter 10
Clark had taken care of me so well, I was fully healed.
That morning, sunlight spilled across the bed.
I blinked awake to find Clark watching me, eyes soft.
“Hey, you’re up.”
He kissed my forehead. “Check–up’s today, remember?”
I nodded, heart warm and steady.
This time, the guy who once died for me–we’d actually get forever.
“Oh, almost forgot.”
Clark grinned, pulled a velvet box from the nightstand.
Inside? A diamond necklace.
The same one Simon once faked giving me.
My eyes flew wide. “Wait–how do you have this?”
J
Clark snorted. “Simon had to sell everything to cover legal fees. I made sure this one ended up with you.”
Then his look softened. “Hope you like it.”
I smiled, letting him clasp it around my neck.
And then–he dropped to one knee, pulling out a massive diamond ring like it was straight–up magic.
“Heidi Wynn,” he said, voice shaking, “I didn’t get to marry you last time. Let me fix that. Will you marry me?”
The cool, collected CEO? Blushing.
I laughed and held out my hand.
“Yeah. Of course I will.”
This time, we finally got our forever.
+25 Bonus
