Page 94

“You think you’re untouchable, don’t you, Middleton?” he snarls.
“I think you’re definitely dying to touch me,” I reply coolly, though every muscle in my body is coiled with tension.
The smugness in his voice vanishes, replaced by venom. “I’m coming for your city.”
“It’s not mine to take.”
“You’re in my way,” he continues with his warnings. “But not for long.”
“Is that a threat?”
“You’ve seen a bit of what I can do,” he snarls. “How far my reach stretches. I’m going to take your city, your fiancée, and your goddamn life.”
My jaw tightens, and my voice drops, the calm tone masking the storm raging beneath. “Listen to me carefully, Fabre. I get threatened every day by half-ass gangsters like you. And I get why you want L.A.—it’s a business move. But what youwill not dois threaten my woman. Megan is mine. Mine to love. Mine to protect. Mine to kill for and mine to die for. For some ridiculous reason that only you understand, you’ve decided to make this personal, and if there’s one thing you should know about me, it’s that I handle personal shit better than anyone.”
Inside, I’m seething. My entire world is just a few feet away, blissfully unaware of the chaos that threatens to spill into their lives. And they should remain unaware—because it’smy jobto make sure they never have to carry the weight of my world.
Megan should only have to worry about simple things such as breastfeeding our son or painting her next masterpiece. My son should grow up in warmth and love, never knowing a damn thing about this petty gangster shit.
Fabre’s laugh cuts through the silence, grating and mocking. “Tough words for a man I could’ve taken out a million times today. I’ve had eyes on you and everyone you care about all week.”
His words twist in my gut, but I don’t falter. “And who’s watching Naomi?” I ask darkly.
The silence on the other end is immediate and suffocating.
“Leave Naomi out of this,” he finally says, his tone faltering.
“That’s not how this works,” I snap, my voice hardening. “You threaten what’s mine, I threaten what’s yours.”
“You know I could’ve hurt Megan a dozen times already,” he says, trying to regain control.
“And yet you did hurt her,” I growl. “You kidnapped her.”
“She’s back with you safe and sound,” he replies dismissively.
“She’s home now, not because of you—but because she got away. Did you really think I’d let that slide? That I’d forget? I’m going to fucking destroy you, Fabre. You, and every single person in that backwater town you call home. You fucked with the wrong one.”
I end the call without waiting for his reply, my hand trembling with rage. But beneath the fury, there’s relief. The lines have been drawn. No more games, no more passive threats.
This is war.
I glance back at the hospital room door. Inside, my family sleeps peacefully, unaware of the storm brewing just outside their sanctuary. I take a deep breath, forcing the tension to drain from my shoulders. For them, I’ll be the shield that never breaks.
Because no one touches what’s mine.
In fact, no one should even consider it.
Chapter 31
I Can’t Wait
MEGAN
There are countless advantages to being engaged to one of the wealthiest men I’ve ever met, and at the top of the list right now are thesedamn sheets.Soft as clouds, cool against my skin, they’re a luxury I never knew I needed. Wrapped in their embrace, it feels like the world outside doesn’t exist—just me, Hunter, and the gentle quiet of the early morning.
If it weren’t for our precious baby boy, I’m not sure we’d ever leave this bed. But life has changed in the best way possible. Every few hours, I’m up to feed him, change him, and, of course, perform the obligatory millionth check to make sure he’s still breathing. Motherhood has turned me into someone I barely recognize, but I can’t say I mind.
“Don’t move,” Hunter murmurs from his side of the bed, his voice low and commanding as his strong arm snakes across my waist, pulling me close. His touch is firm yet tender, sending a shiver down my spine.