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He took a step toward the senator, and I really thought he was going to swing at him. Maybe if we hadn’t been where we were, or if I wasn’t there, he would have. Larson had the good sense to look nervous, the ice clinking in his glass giving away his hand tremor.

“I’ll be in touch,” Theo growled at him before taking my hand and walking away.

“Maybe now I’ll get my meeting,” the senator said to our retreating backs.

Theo whipped around and said something, his voice so low I couldn’t hear. Finishing whatever it was, he turned and we continued our exit.

“What was that about?” I asked.

“Larson is the kind of asshole who gets into politics for the power and the benefits, both of which he abuses. Often. He’s been trying to use his influence to push into my business, but I don’t want him anywhere near me. My resistance has made him even more adamant. I don’t have, nor need, stocks or shareholders. For the other companies, sure. Not my own.”

I nodded. “So he wants to hand over money, have you do the work, and then hand more back to him.”

“Exactly. But, like I said, that’s not how I work. Amaric isn’t publicly traded and doesn’t have a board. It’s Luca and I, and we don’t answer to anyone, which is exactly what I’d have to do if I had shareholders or a board.”

“Amaric is Amato and Ricci, isn’t it?” I said, the meaning of the name suddenly dawning on me.

“Yes. It’s been Luc and me since the beginning, and I’ll be damned if some asshole thinks he can buy into that.”

Walking out into the cool summer night, I saw the outside was almost as busy as the inside. People stood around, chatting and smoking. The sidewalk was busy as groups of people walked to the bars and clubs in the area, and traffic was worse than it had been when we’d been dropped off.

Shaking his head, Theo surmised, “Obviously, he must have thought going through you would get better results.”

“Why?” I asked.

Theo stopped and looked down at me. “Because, about that, he’s right. Everyone knows I love you. That it’s never,everbeen like this.” Tucking my hair behind my ear, his fingers skimmed the exposed skin of my neck until they were curled around the back of it. “That I’m addicted. Obsessed.” Lowering his face into mine, he blocked out everything else. His eyes were so dark, his voice a low promise. “There’snothingI wouldn’t do to keep you, Dahlia.”

My lips parted, my shallow breaths coming out in little pants. Theo’s eyes dropped to my mouth before returning to my eyes as he waited, gauging my reaction.

If I’m supposed to be scared or freaked out by any of that, I’m not.

All I see is another layer of unbreakable material being added to our bond.

“Good,” I whispered. When he grinned, I returned it. “Ready to go home?”

His grin grew wider still, making me pull him down and go up on my tiptoes so I could kiss one of his dimples.

“Yeah,” he said. “Let’s go.”

By the time we reached the curb, Ben and the SUV were waiting. “Mr. Amato. Miss Kincaid. Good evening?”

I rolled my eyes at Ben’s formalness. It’d taken him a while to drop it with me. “Yes, quite pleasant,” I returned, my voice snooty.

Theo just shook his head at both of us, following me into the backseat. Once he sat, he hauled me up against him so my back was tight against his side, but I was still buckled. His phone dinged a few times.

“Need to answer those?” I asked.

“It’s just Luc.”

I nudged him. “Go ahead. Ben and I will start planning our cake.”

“Cake? Is it going to be as good as those cookies?”

“Better,” I bragged, though I had no clue. But knowing Ben’s skills, I didn’t doubt it.

For the rest of the ride, Ben and I discussed flavor options while Theo answered his messages, chiming in occasionally with his opinion.

Through it all, Theo’s words floated through my head.