Page 85 of Kinks of a Billionaire

“You’re my gift.” She had no idea how much she meant to me. She was my friend, my lover, my woman. “Now open it.”

With trembling fingers, she ripped the paper. She remained staring at the velvet box until I pushed the little button. Her gasp rang out, and her fingers came up to touch her lips.

“Ohhh, Royce. It’s beautiful.” A single tear rolled down her cheek and I wiped it with my thumb.

“Then why are you crying, baby?” I rasped, my chest twisting with so many emotions. The bracelet had the date of our first kiss engraved on it, with tiny, colorful gems dangling.

“Because I love you.” Her voice softened. “So fucking much.”

“Even if we’re Bonnie and Clyde, living it up?”

She let out a shuddering breath, the emotions I felt myself staring back at me through her green eyes.

“For betterandfor worse.”

Chapter 41

Willow

When we emerged from the bedroom, the moon was high up in the sky, the table was set, sparkling cider chilling and rum sitting in a bucket of ice.

“A pirate with a sensitive streak,” I teased him. “And you even thought of a non-alcoholic beverage.”

Asher tilted his head, his attentive eyes not missing my new bracelet. I didn’t think this man missed much, so the fact he knew about my pregnancy didn’t shock me.

“I live to serve,” Asher answered, his gunmetal eyes shining with amusement. Royce’s hand was still in mine, unwilling to let go, and I didn’t mind it one bit.

My gaze darted around. “I wish Kian had stuck around. I wanted to thank him before he took off. It’s the second time now that he’s helped me.”

He introduced himself once the threat was neutralized, right before Royce rushed me to the vehicle with Asher in tow. Kian stayed behind to clean up the scene and then disappeared.

“He couldn’t stick around,” Asher answered vaguely. “By the way, Winston called.”

Royce’s eyebrow lifted. “Yeah?”

“He told me to tell you to ‘stay lost’ a bit longer while Byron cleans up the mess.”

My gaze flicked to Royce curiously. “They’re working on having all charges dropped. I told you, there’s no evidence. Especially not now. Besides, Stuart started this shit. He hurt you. But with him and his parents gone, they can’t stir shit up and influence authorities.”

My brows furrowed. “Everyone saw us go into the hotel and come out, leaving him beat up. How can there be no evidence? I’m sure our fingerprints were all over that hotel room when you—” My eyes darted to Asher, before returning to my husband, worried about saying too much. “Beforeyou know.”

“You mean before he castrated him?” Asher added. “There was no evidence.”

“But how?” I asked, bewildered.

“I sent my crew in to clear the room of all fingerprints. Had them wipe the surveillance footage.”

“Didn’t Stuart see you?” I wondered.

“He was… drugged. Best you don’t ask me to elaborate on that.” He tilted his head at me, brows arched, and that was all I needed.

“Why help us?” Royce said, a pensive look on his face.

Asher shrugged. “Maybe one day, when I need help, you’ll step up for me.”

Royce extended his hand. “I owe you, Asher. You have my word—when you need me, I’ll be there.”

That evening, Royce had me sitting on his lap as we shared a meal with Asher.