Page 69 of The SEAL's Duchess
She had courage in spades. What she didn’t have was backup.
Until him.
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Ivy’s stomachhadn’t unclenched since Henderson said—ignite half the damn coastline.
She stared out of the passenger window. The landscape blurred past. Her mind was still in Henderson’s cabin with the damning images on his screen.
I’m going to have to tell George.
The thought was a lead weight in her stomach.
He’d spent months researching this investment, convincing the bank that BlackRock was sound. He’d staked their family’s reputation on this deal working out. And now she had to tell him it was built on lies.
She glanced at Ryder. His jaw was set, both hands on the wheel, eyes on the road. Just this morning, she’d woken in his arms feeling that this time things could actually work out. That she could have something good.
She shouldn’t have expected it to last. That was always the cue for everything to go to hell.
She turned back to the window, snow spiraling off heavy branches.
Everything slipping.
The wave power initiative she’d looked into could work as an alternative—sustainable, lower risk. But it wasn’t as immediately profitable as oil, and convincing George to pivot now? After he’d invested so much political capital in BlackRock? That conversation was going to be brutal.
Ryder slowed as they entered Aurora Cove. Snow blanketed the rooftops, softening the town into postcard stillness. She sensed a shift in him before it was visible. A quiet recalibration. As if just knowing Ellie was close changed something in him.
She followed his gaze as he slowed to park.
Sarah stood on the curb in full uniform, holding Ellie’s hand. Ellie bounced in place, a blur of pink parka and yellow hat.
The tension riding Ryder’s shoulders eased, and for the first time since Henderson’s cabin, something unguarded warmed his expression. He pulled to the curb and killed the engine.
Ivy buttoned her coat at the waist. She needed to leave and find George—figure out how to deliver the news that could blow up everything they’d worked for. But before she could move, Sarah had lifted Ellie to the window.
“Daddy! Daddy!” Ellie’s gloved hand hit the glass.
Ryder shot Ivy an apologetic smile and opened his door. Ellie launched herself at him, and he caught her, swinging her up into his arms.
“I missed you, bug. You have a good time with Auntie Sarah?”
“Me choc-lit marsha-mallow, Daddy.” She planted a wet toddler smooch on his cheek.
“That sounds delicious,” Ivy said softly, against the squeeze in her throat.
Ellie giggled. “Me miss Daddy.”
“Missed you too.” He nuzzled her hair, and Ivy had to look away from the naked affection in his expression. “You had hot chocolate with marshmallows with Auntie Sarah?”
Ellie ducked her chin in agreement. “Marsha-mallow, Daddy.”
Ivy had been invisible for so long she’d forgotten what it felt like to be seen. She was George’s sister. The family’s problem-solver. The person who handled crises so everyone else could breathe easier. She’d always been a function, not a woman who wasseen.
Now, watching Ryder blow raspberries against Ellie’s neck and make her shriek, something cracked open in her chest.
She could almost see it—Ellie perched on her lap with a hot chocolate mustache, Ryder across the table from them, grinning.
No titles. No responsibilities. Just a life where she belonged.
