Page 67 of Cowboy's Healing Heart

I nod, hating the resignation in her voice. "I'm sorry. There's an emergency at Innoventis. I'll be back as soon as I can."

She forces a smile that doesn't reach her eyes. "It's fine. We'll be okay. What time will you be back?"

"Dinner."

I cross the room in three strides, pulling her into my arms. She stiffens for a moment before melting into my embrace. I kiss her deeply, trying to convey everything I can't say in words.

When we break apart, I rest my forehead against hers. "I love you," I murmur.

"I love you too," she whispers back.

"You too, Rocky." I pull her in for a hug, wrapping my arms around her small frame and kissing the top of her head.

"Ha ha ha… You taught me the moves." She holds me tight, and we pause for a second.

"Do me a favor."

Ashanti pulls back and looks up at me. "Sure."

"Text me when you see your surprise. And take care of your mother for me."

Her wiggles with excitement. "What did you do?"

"It's a surprise." I return her contagious smile.

"Got it!" she replies with a decisive nod, a serious expression crossing her face that makes me chuckle.

"Okay. I gotta go." I kiss the top of her head again with my gaze on Krystal, knowing they'll need a little extra love and support.

I mouth,love you.

"Get going. The sooner you leave, the sooner you'll get back."

"Yes, KD."

Krystal wags her head and smiles. The first real smile I've seen since we boarded the private plane.

As I turn to leave, I catch sight of my reflection in the mirror. The man staring back at me is a stranger—polished, professional, every inch the CEO my father wants me to be. I barely recognize myself.

With one last look at Krystal, I stride out of the room, already feeling the weight of expectations settling on my shoulders. This is my world now, whether I like it or not. And I have to make it work, for all our sakes.

The drive to Innoventis headquarters is a blur of city traffic and looming skyscrapers. By the time I step into the sleek, modern lobby, I've fully slipped into CEO mode. My stride is purposeful, my expression neutral as I nod to employees who scramble to get out of my way.

"Mr. Kennedy," my father's assistant greets me as I exit the elevator on the top floor. "They're waiting for you in the boardroom."

I give her a curt nod, straightening my tie as I approach the double doors. Taking a deep breath, I push them open, stepping into the lion's den.

My father stands at the head of the table, flanked by our top executives and a group of stern-faced men I assume are the DoD representatives. He looks up as I enter, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"Gentlemen," I say, my voice carrying across the room. "I apologize for the delay. Shall we begin?"

For the next several hours, I'm immersed in a world of contracts, specifications, and thinly veiled threats. It's a dance I know well, one I've been trained for since childhood. I find myself slipping back into old patterns, my voice taking on a harder edge as I negotiate terms and defend our company's interests.

It's not until the meeting finally adjourns that I realize how much time has passed. The sun is setting outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting long shadows across the city skyline.

"Well done," my father says, clapping me on the shoulder as the last of the DoD representatives file out. "I knew you still had it in you."

I force a smile, ignoring the knot in my stomach. "Thanks, Father. If that's all, I should get back?—"

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