Page 41 of Candy Cane Chains

And that terrifies me—because I'm falling for him. Not the dangerous fixer who made a room full of men look fearful at his mere presence, but the man who took me to get hot chocolate and look at Christmas lights. The one who's letting me see him wounded, trusting me to put him back together.

I hadn't planned on my heart getting involved. Neither had he, judging by the way his thumb strokes my knuckles - tender, uncertain, like he's as surprised by these feelings as I am.

But it has.

We fall into bed together, unable to let the other go. The silk sheets whisper against my skin as I curl into Julian's side, careful to avoid the worst of his bruises. His arm wraps around me, drawing me closer until my head rests on his uninjured shoulder. The steady thump of his heartbeat grounds me, a reminder that he's here, he's safe.

My fingers drift across his chest, tracing invisible patterns between old scars and new marks. The moonlight streaming through the windows turns his skin silver, highlighting every ridge and valley of muscle beneath my touch.

"I feel safe with you." The words slip out before I can catch them, quiet in the darkness. "I know that sounds crazy, given everything, but I do."

Julian's breath catches, his chest rising sharply under my palm. His fingers tighten on my hip, but he stays silent, waiting.

"With…others, I was always walking on eggshells, always worried about saying or doing the wrong thing." I follow a scar near his collarbone, memorizing its shape. "But with you... even when you come home looking like this, even knowing what you do... I've never felt more protected."

The realization hits me like a physical thing - how much I trust him, how deeply I depend on his presence. Weeks ago, I would have run from these feelings. After Travis's betrayal, after catching him with his secretary bent over his desk, I swore I'd never let anyone close enough to hurt me again.

But Julian... he's different. He doesn't demand trust - he earns it. In the way he holds me now, in the way he cares for me and gives me just what I need. In the thousand little ways he shows he cares without ever saying the words.

"I never thought I could have this." My voice wavers as I press closer, breathing in his clean shower scent. "Someone I can actually count on. Someone who means what they say and follows through. Someone who makes me feel..." Safe. Cherished. Whole.

"You will always have me," he answers, not needing to hear the words to know what I'm saying.

And I find myself hoping that that's true.

21

JULIAN

I'm reviewing financial reports in my study when my phone vibrates across the mahogany desk. The screen lights up with a number I don't recognize, but something tells me to answer it.

"Kane speaking." I keep my voice neutral, professional.

"You think you're so fucking smart, don't you?" Travis Porter's slurred words crackle through the speaker. Perfect timing - I catch movement at my study door where Ivy stands frozen, her amber eyes widening at the sound of his voice.

I motion her over with one hand, hitting the speaker button with the other. She hesitates for a split second before crossing the room in quick, silent steps besides the bells around her ankle. I pull her onto my lap, wrapping one arm around her waist to keep her steady. Her vanilla scent fills my senses as she leans close to listen.

"You've got nothing to say?" Travis continues, his words running together. "Think you can just take what's mine?"

"I'm listening." I keep my tone ice cold. Ivy's fingers dig into my forearm, but her breathing stays steady.

"I've got proof, you piece of shit. Pictures of you dragging her into your car that night. Security footage." He lets out a bitter laugh. "Kidnapping's a federal offense. How's that gonna look for your fancy security business?"

Ivy's shoulders tense. I trace slow circles on her hip with my thumb, feeling her gradually relax against me.

"That's quite the accusation." I examine my free hand, unconcerned. "I'm sure the police would be very interested in hearing about your cocaine habit while you file that report."

"You son of a-"

"And I imagine they'd want to know about that unfortunate incident with your father's business partner's daughter. The one you paid to keep quiet?"

Silence crackles over the line. Ivy turns her head to look at me, one eyebrow raised in question. I give her a slight nod - it's all true.

"You're going to regret-" Travis starts, but I cut him off.

"Let's discuss regrets while we're at it."

Before I can say more, Ivy's lips brush my ear. "Check the books from last March," she whispers. "He moved half a million to an offshore account right before the annual audit."

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