Chapter 340
Irene trembled in Adam’s arms her tears soaking through his shirt a distant shouts bounced off the abandoned factory matic. The headlights painted their shadows against the dusty ground. “The air isted of metal and dust, but all frene could feet was Adam’s heartbeat against her cheek, his warmth melting away the terror of the past few hours,
Her fingers slowly unclenched from his shirt, though she couldn’t quite let go. Not yet, Adam rubbed small circles on her back, saying more with that touch than words ever could. The raw fear in his eyes softened to relief.
In the distance, his security team rounded up her kidnappers, Police Sirens grew louder, wailing through the night.
“Boss,” a security guard called over, “Got those guys who were after her. They’re acting weird–like they’re druzzed or something One keeps babbling about some spray,”
Adam’s eyebrows shot up as he looked down at Irene. She managed a shaky smile,
“After what happened in M Country,” she whispered, “I swore I’d never be caught off guard again.”
A flask of admiration crossed his face.
“Thomas, Adam called out, his tone leaving no room for argument, ear. Now. We’re heading to the hospital.
Irene lifted her head, something clicking into place inside her. The shaking in her limbs stopped.
“No,” she said, looking straight at Thomas. “You go deal with this mess. I need to talk to him.” The steadiness in her voice didn’t match the butterflies in her stomach.
Thomas darted a glance between them, his lips twitching. “Right. I’ll take care of everything here.” He backed away quickly.
Adam blinked at her, thrown by the change in her voice. The chaos around them seemed to dim. The night air tousled her hair, sending a shiver through her that had nothing to do with fear.
Irene sucked in a breath. “I was going to tell you something tonight anyway, before all this happened.”
She looked up, dropping the careful mask she always wore. “When they had me tied up in that chair, I wasn’t scared of dying. I was scared I’d never see you again, never get to tell you what’s been eating me up inside.”
Her voice found its footing with each word. “I’m done dancing around this, Adam. I love you. Not doctor–to–patient love. Real, messy, can’t–eat–can’t–sleep love.”
Adam’s breath caught in his throat, his eyes going wide.
“After Richard, after everything, I never thought I’d feel this way again, she continued, words spilling out. With three kids in tow, I figured that ship‘ had sailed… and then you crashed into my life.”
She wiped her eyes, a shaky laugh escaping. “Look, I know people will talk. Your family’s gonna flip, the Silver City gossip mill will have a field day. But I couldn’t care less if you don’t. The kids are crazy about you already. And Joseph–that old fox sees right through everyone, and he’s team Adam all the way.”
Adam’s face changed completely, surprise melting into something tender. His hands came up to cup her face, thumbs brushing away
tears.
“I had this whole thing worked out in my head,” he confessed, voice rougher than usual. “Thought I’d wait till I could stand up on my own two feet, walk up to you like a normal guy, and do this right
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Chapter 340
His hands trembled slightly. But tonight, not knowing if you were okay… God, Irene, it felt like someone ripped my heart out. I can’t wait another day.”
His eyes darkened. “When I signed Victor’s damn contract, it hit me like a ton of bricks. Nothing–not Haven, not the company, not any of it–means a thing without you.”
He leaned in until their foreheads almost touched. “I don’t give a damn about your past. I don’t care what anyone thinks. I love you, Irene. You and those three amazing kids of yours.”
Something unraveled inside Irene’s chest–not pain, but sweet relief. All this time, they’d been tiptoeing around each other, both feeling the same thing but too scared to say it out loud.
“You flipped my whole world upside down,” Adam admitted. “Before you walked in, all I had was Haven Enterprise. Nothing else registered.”
Irene’s mouth curved into a smile that felt almost shy. “That night on my porch when I said whoever marries you hits the jackpot? I was basically writing myself a want–ad.”
The air between them changed, crackling with something that had been building for months. Adam’s hand drifted to her cheek, his fingers not quite steady.
“I’ve been dying to kiss you,” he said, his voice dropping low, “since the first day you bossed me around in treatment.”
Then he did something that made Irene’s heart kick against her ribs. He grabbed the armrests of his wheelchair and pushed himself up. The muscles in his arms corded with effort as he stood. His jaw clenched tight, eyes locked on hers the whole time.
Irene automatically reached out to steady him, but he gave a tiny headshake. “Let me do this,” he breathed. “For you.”
Standing in front of her, Adam seemed to fill the whole world. Moonlight caught the sharp lines of his face as he looked down at her. Irene tilted her face up, the space between them vanishing breath by breath.
When their lips finally touched, everything else just… disappeared. The kiss started soft–careful, questioning–before hunger took over. Irene’s arms went around his neck, half–supporting him, half–pulling him closer. Adam cradled her head in one hand, his other arm wrapping around her waist, pulling her against him.
The wind caught her hair, whipping dark strands around his fingers. What started gentle quickly turned hungry, months of looking- but–not–touching finally boiling over. Their hearts raced in sync, breath mingling in the cold air.
That kiss said everything words couldn’t–his need to protect her, her complete trust in him, their shared hope for something neither had let themselves want until now.
Irene felt the small tremors in Adam’s arms. Reluctantly, she pulled back, though her hands stayed on his shoulders.
“As much as I’m enjoying this,” she said, lips curving into a teasing smile, “you’re gonna hurt tomorrow if you keep standing.”
Adam’s mouth quirked up, voice rough. “The car’s right there.”
He eased himself back into the wheelchair, but their fingers stayed laced together, neither willing to let go.
“The kids are probably climbing the walls,” Irene said. “What are we going to tell them? And Joseph?”
Simple truth, Adam said. “We’re in love.”
He caught Thomas’s eye. “Back to Emerald Garden. I’m sticking to her like glue tonight.”
Irene squeezed his hand. “Wouldn’t have it any other way.”
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Chapter 340.
In the backseat darkness, Iren nestled against Adam’s shoulder. C was their home now, in a way t hadn’t been before.
“Victor won’t ever come near you or the kids again,” Adam promis
Irene smiled against his shoulder, picturing the scene waiting at h dropping hints about yon being perfect for me since, like, week tw
Adam’s thumb traced lazy circles on her hand. “Kid’s got good tast
As the car turned into Emerald Garden, Irene felt something click belonged, with exactly the right person. Whatever tomor
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Chapter 340
In the backseat darkness, Irent nestled against Adam’s shoulder. City lights flashed across their faces as they headed home–and it was their home now, in a way hadn’t been before.
“Victor won’t ever come near you or the kids again, Adam promised his voice soft but with an edge. “That’s a guarantee.
Irene smiled against his shoulder, picturing the scene waiting at home. “The kids are gonna flip out. Lucas especially. He’s been dropping hints about you being perfect for me since, like, week two
Adam’s thumb traced lazy circles on her hand. “Kid’s got good taste.
As the car turned into Emerald Garden, Irene felt something click into place–that bone–deep certainty of being exactly where she belonged, with exactly the right person. Whatever tomorrow threw at them, they’d handle it together.
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