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“He won’t.” But even as I say it, I know she’s right to be scared. Men like Vega don’t operate on evidence. They operate on instinct and paranoia.

“He could ruin you, Reign. Your business, your brother’s career, everything you’ve built.” Tears stream down her face. “Maybe I should just marry him. Maybe it’s not worth?—”

“Stop.” I cut her off, my voice fierce. “Don’t you dare say that. You’re not sacrificing yourself for him. Not now, not ever.”

“But if he destroys you because of me?—”

“Then that’s my choice to make.” I thumb away her tears, my touch gentle despite the rage burning in my chest. “I’d rather lose everything and have you than keep everything and lose you.”

She stares at me for a long moment, something shifting in her expression. “You mean that.”

“Every fucking word.” I brush my lips against hers, soft and reverent. “Audrey, there’s something I need to ask you.”

Before I can second-guess myself, I drop to one knee beside her bed, pulling out the ring I’ve been carrying for weeks. Her gasp echoes through the room.

“Reign, what are you?—”

“Audrey Elizabeth Worthington,” I say, my voice rough with emotion. “I love you. I’ve loved you from the moment you let me see the real you. Will you marry me?”

She stares down at me, her hand pressed to her mouth, eyes wide with shock. For a terrifying moment, she doesn’t speak, doesn’t move.

“Are you insane?” she finally whispers. “Right now? With everything falling apart?”

“Especially right now.” I take her left hand, the one that still bears the indentation from Vega’s ring. “Because I want you to know that whatever happens, whatever he tries to do to us,you’re not alone. You’re mine, and I’m yours, and nothing he does can change that.”

Fresh tears spill down her cheeks, but she’s smiling now. “You beautiful, crazy man. Yes. Of course, yes.”

I slide the ring onto her finger, then surge to my feet and capture her mouth with mine. She tastes like tears and hope, like every dream I never dared to have.

“I love you,” she says against my lips. “Even if we’re both completely insane.”

“Probably especially because we’re insane.” I back her toward the bed, my hands roaming over the silk of her dress. “I’m staying tonight. I’m not leaving you alone when you’re scared.”

“What if someone sees you?”

“Let them.” I help her out of the emerald dress, worshipping every inch of skin as it’s revealed. “I’m tired of hiding. Tired of pretending you’re not mine.”

She reaches for my shirt, her movements urgent now. “If we’re doing this, if we’re really doing this...”

“We are.” I catch her hands, stilling them. “But first, I need you to understand something. Tomorrow night, we leave. No matter what Vega suspects, no matter what threats he makes. We stick to the plan.”

“And if he tries to stop us?”

My smile is sharp, predatory. “Then he’ll learn what happens when someone tries to take what’s mine.”

She studies my face, seeing the danger there, the promise of violence if necessary. Instead of fear, I see something like relief in her eyes.

“You’d fight for me.”

“I’d kill for you.” The words come out flat, matter-of-fact. “Anyone who tries to hurt you, anyone who tries to keep you from me—they’ll answer to me.”

She kisses me then, fierce and desperate, her teeth catching my bottom lip. When we break apart, we’re both breathing hard.

“I need you,” she whispers against my mouth. “I need to feel you everywhere.”

I push her back against the bed, my hands working at the remaining fabric between us. Her bra comes off first, and I take a moment to appreciate the sight of her bare breasts, nipples already hard and waiting for my mouth.

“Fuck, you’re perfect,” I growl, leaning down to take one peak between my lips. She gasps, her back arching off the bed.