Page 19 of Sold to the Titan

“I went after you and saw your bag on the roadside,” he replies, and I can feel some of the tension returning to his body. “I knew something was wrong, so I tracked your phone and it led me to Osla’s house. I called the cops on the way.”

“You tracked my phone?” I ask, blinking at him in surprise. “How? When?”

“The night you arrived at my house,” he says with a sheepish shrug. “I installed a software on your phone…just in case youwere ever in danger…like today.” He caresses my face, his expression firm. “I can’t say I’m sorry.”

I smile and shake my head. Why would I be angry at a man who’s done nothing but protect me from the very first time we met? “It’s fine. I’m glad you did. Thank you,” I say softly. “For rescuing me from the auction house, for coming for me today. Everything.”

I pause, slowly meeting his gaze, my heart pounding like crazy in my chest. “While Warren had me tied up, all I could think is that I wanted to belong to you again, be yours again. I love you, Cillian,” I whisper, my heart swelling with euphoria the moment the words slip out of my lips. I laugh, feeling silly. “I love you so much.”

Cillian doesn’t say anything for a while, his eyes boring into mine with an intensity that makes butterflies flutter wildly in my stomach. Then he lowers his head to mine and captures my mouth in a long, passionate kiss. When he pulls back, he drops his forehead to mine, a soft smile tugging at his lips.

“I love you too, my Aria. I have loved you from the very moment I laid eyes on you in that damned chapel.”

Epilogue

Cillian

Four Years Later…

Time is ticking away.

Four years of watching Aria flourish, of seeing her carve her own path and prove to everyone that her success isn’t just linked to her husband’s title as CEO of Cypher Co. Despite the gossip that she’s only risen because of who I am, she’s silenced every critic with her own skill, her own drive and style. I love her more with every passing day—her ambition, her strength, her never-dimming light. She fills every dark, hollow corner in me, and makes me whole.

I stand in the crowd as she finishes her walk on the biggest runway in Seattle. And she owns it. As usual. Pride surges through me as roaring applause ripples through the crowd of spectators.

“That’s your mommy,” I say to Lilian, our thirteen-month-old daughter, bouncing her playfully in my arms. “Aren’t you proud of Mommy?” Lilian beams, her gorgeous green eyes sparkling with mirth. I laugh, my heart filling up with a familiar rush of euphoria.

Lilian came as a beautiful surprise for us. We weren’t exactly planning for a child, but were very excited when we found out. With Aria, I felt complete. I didn’t think it was possible to be any happier, but Lilian’s birth proved me wrong. We named her Lilian after my sister, and sometimes when she smiles, I see Lily’s carefree spirit…just like now.

I still miss Lily, but I can now think of her without pain and bitterness, especially with Warren Osla rotting in jail. With his crime counts piled up to the sky, he’s going to be in there for a long time, possibly forever. I made sure of that.

I’ve made sure that the darkness of Aria’s past will no longer touch her. And in return, she’s made me the kind of man who wants to use my power to help others. The auctions and the sick men who run them are much more deeply entrenched in this city than I even imagined, protected by powerful politicians and elite security. But, I’ve begun to gather evidence against these powerful men in the hopes that one day their organization will fall.

“Let’s go get Mommy,” I say, juggling Lilian in my arms as I head backstage.

Aria’s eyes light up the moment we enter her private dressing room. She practically jumps out of her chair and runs toward us, excitement radiating from her as she throws her arms around my neck.

“You were amazing, love,” I murmur, my lips brushing against her ear before I kiss her, slow and deep, letting her feel just how damn proud I am.

She smiles, cheeks flushed. “Thanks, darling. Hey, baby…” she coos, opening her arms to Lilian who eagerly jumps into them. Aria laughs and hold our daughter close. “Oh, my baby…” Shelooks up at me over Lilian’s shiny black curls. “Thanks so much for coming. I didn’t think you’d be able to make it in time from Texas. How was your meeting?”

“Boring,” I reply with a roll of my eyes. “I don’t know why Daniel keeps insisting that I meet with the investors personally—something about solidifying our authenticity. I told him I won’t participate in those kinds of games again. I missed my girls too much.”

“I’m glad you’re back,” Aria says, her eyes glinting with amusement and that sweet look of adoration that’s only grown deeper over the years. “I missed you too.”

“I love that dress on you by the way,” I say, running my eyes over the exquisite red dress she walked the runway in. I lean in close, lowering my voice. “Can’t wait to get you home and show you how much I love it.”

She blushes, a deep crimson spreading adorably across her cheeks, and I chuckle, letting my hand drift to her lower back. “Red suits you, kitten,” I tease, enjoying watching her squirm under my gaze. “Let’s get out of here so I can tear that dress off you.”

“Cillian!” she berates halfheartedly. “Not in front of Lily!”

“She doesn’t mind,” I say, taking the giggling child from her arms. “Now, let’s get your sexy ass home.”

Forty minutes later, I get back from putting Lilian to bed to see Aria exiting the bathroom, a short towel knotted over her breasts, her hair tied up in a loose bun. I cross the space between us in two long strides, slide my fingers into her hair, and undo the knot, spilling those beautiful golden curls down her back and around her shoulders.

“Much better,” I murmur, brushing my knuckles over her cheek. “I wanted to take the dress off you, but I guess I’ll have to make do with this.” With one tug, her towel comes undone. I let it slide to the floor, and then move back a little to take in the wonder of her body.

“God, love, you’re so beautiful,” I say, not bothering to hide the awe in my voice. Even after bearing our daughter, Aria still has the most beautiful body I’ve ever seen.

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