Page 68 of Cherished Lands

Don't say it. Don't say it. Don't?—

"Want to tell me what's going on in that beautiful head of yours?"

"Thank you. For bringing me here." The words were whispered against his chest. I didn't trust myself not to blurt it out.

He pulled me closer. "For once in my life, I didn't have a plan. I just... wanted to be with you."

"No checklist?"

"No checklist." He kissed my nose. "Just us."

The wind picked up outside, whistling through the old lighthouse walls, but in our cocoon of blankets, winter felt far away.

"We should do this again," I said softly.

"What, break into buildings?"

I poked his ribs. "Go on dates, you dork."

"Yeah? Where should I take you next?"

"Surprise me." I snuggled closer, breathing in his scent. "I trust you."

It wasn't the three words I wanted to say. But as the snow fell outside and the lighthouse beam swept endlessly across the dark water, it felt like enough.

For now.

Chapter Twenty-Four

TESSA

The conference roomat Ashford's most prestigious law firm was aggressively modern—all glass, chrome, and sharp angles. Nothing like the worn wooden tables and mismatched chairs at Hank's office in Sable Point.

My mother sat ramrod straight in her Italian wool suit, hands folded perfectly in her lap. But I caught the slight twitching of her fingers when Dad's attorney spread the documents across the table.

"As you can see, Ms. Belmonte's actions constitute a clear breach?—"

"Mrs. Everton." Elliot's hand gripped mine under the table.

The lawyer blinked. "Excuse me?"

"Her name is Mrs. Everton now." His voice was steady, but I felt the tension in his grip.

Dad's laugh was soft and mocking. "Ah yes, the... hasty marriage." His eyes flicked to mine, cold as Lake Michigan in January. "Tell me,Daughter, did you really think a quickiecourthouse wedding would circumvent a legally binding contract?"

"Ray," Mom's quiet voice held a thinly veiled plea.

"Not now, Margaret." He didn't even look at her, but I saw her flinch. Just like I used to. "This little rebellion has gone on long enough. You will cease all involvement with the Everton venture immediately."

"Or what?" I blinked, surprised by my own boldness.

"Or I'll be forced to take more... decisive action." His frosty gaze shifted to Elliot. "I'm sure Ever Eden could afford a few minorsetbacks, no?"

Mom's sharp intake of breath was muted, but I heard it. Saw the way her shoulders curved inward, like she was trying to make herself smaller.

"You're threatening my family now?" My voice shook with suppressed rage.

"I'm protecting mine. Something you seem to have forgotten how to do."