Page 216 of Before Dawn

I looked at him, speechless, then closed my eyes, silently thanking God for blessing me with this man.

He sectioned my hair with careful precision, spraying heat protectant and working it through with his fingers.

“Where did you learn to do this?”

“I’ve seen my mom dry Emilia’s hair,” he said with a fond smile.

I smiled, touched. “That’s sweet,” I whispered.

After blow-drying, he braided—well, did his best to—my hair into four cornrows, then oiled my scalp.

“All done,” he said, stepping back.

I looked at him, overwhelmed. “No one’s ever done this for me. I’m so grateful,” I whispered.

I kissed him, pouring everything into that moment. We spent the rest of the weekend on the couch, watching movies, wrapped in each other’s company.

Chapter Fifty

Mikkel

“Love is not just looking at each other, it’s looking in the same direction.”

~ Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Aday trip to Seattle sounded easy enough. Fly in, shake a few hands, smile for the cameras, cut the ribbon, then fly back. Simple. But by the time I wrapped up the office opening, handled back-to-back meetings, and sat through a dinner that lasted far longer than it should have, I was running on fumes.

Fun?Sure. But exhausting as hell.

The second I stepped off the plane in New York, my body gave up. I barely made it to my bed before I passed out, only to wake up to Abigail scolding me about pushing myself too hard. It would’ve been cute if I hadn’t felt like I was dying. Then she called my mom—who, of course, lectured me on self-careand rest.

Between them, I had no choice but to give in. So, I rested for two days, then got back to work—eating properly, flying to Los Angeles with Arnoldo, Morison, and Sapphire for market scoping, and returning to finalize the acquisition.

The board approved it without hesitation, calling it perfect timing. Photo ops were arranged, final meetings with Cortez were scheduled, and the launch was set for Christmas Eve. I didn’t see the need for a launch party, but Morison insisted it was the perfect way to close out the year and celebrate Elite Rides’ success.

Tonight, though, was a long overdue hangout at Arnoldo’s house. It was good to unwind with them for a change.

Arnoldo leaned back in his chair, one hand gripping his glass of gin, the other gesturing lazily as if the question wasn’t about to stir up some kind of debate. “How much money is too much to spend on your woman?”

The room fell silent for a moment, knowing this would be good. Alex leaned back, grinning. “Here we go.”

Dillon was first to speak, casual as ever. “I don’t put a tally on it. But it’s possibly the matching Bugatti Tourbillon for her and the twins.”

The guys chuckled, shaking their heads at the opulence. But that was Dillon—never shy to splurge.

Lucio, lounging with his usual smirk, raised an eyebrow. “Theunborntwins?”

Dillon grinned. “They’ll be born soon, and it was necessary.”

Laughter erupted at the thought of twins in luxury cars. Arnoldo crossed his leg. “You’re insane.”

“Insane or prepared?” Dillon shot back, pride in his eyes.

I shook my head, half-amused. “I’d probably do the same.”

Dillon grinned. “She’s my whole life. If she wants it, she gets it. Simple as that.”

The room grew quiet—not out of surprise, but because we’d all seen it before. Dillon didn’t play when it came to Azzaria.

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