Chapter 4 - The Terms of Possession
The reality of his words washed over Rowena, leaving her breathless, dizzy, and overwhelmed. The terrifying mafia boss wasn't a stranger; he was the ghost from her past, a silent guardian who had been orchestrating safety around her while her own husband was dismantling her soul.
"Julian..." she whispered, her hands instinctively coming up to rest against his broad chest. Through the fine silk of his shirt, she could feel the hard, unyielding muscle beneath, and the steady, rhythmic beat of his heart. "My grandmother... she's dying. She wants a great-grandchild. I don't have time for games, or revenge, or... or whatever this is."
"This isn't a game, Rowena," Julian said, his grip on her neck tightening slightly, pulling her closer until her body was pressed against his. "And I don't give handouts. You walked into this room asking for a child. I am prepared to give you one. A child who will bear the Vance name, inherit a billion-dollar empire, and never know a single day of fear or want."
"And what is the catch?" she demanded, forcing herself to look straight into his piercing gray eyes. "What do you want in return?"
Julian’s gaze darkened, a dangerous, possessive light flashing in his eyes.
"Marriage," he stated coldly. "You leave Dylan behind tonight. You sign the final divorce decrees, and tomorrow morning, you marry me at City Hall. You live in my estate under my protection. You become my wife in every sense of the word."
Rowena stared at him, stunned. "You want me to marry a mafia boss? To save my grandmother's peace of mind?"
"I want to give Cecile Carter the peace of knowing her granddaughter is cherished by a man who can tear the world apart to keep her safe," Julian replied, his voice laced with an undeniable, fierce sincerity. "I want to give you the life you were robbed of. And I want you, Rowena. Not for a night. Forever."
Rowena’s heart pounded against her ribs. She thought of Cecile lying in that cold hospital bed, clutching her hand, desperate for a sign that Rowena wouldn't be left alone in a cruel world. She thought of Dylan’s mocking laugh, his betrayal, and the six years she had wasted feeling small, unwanted, and inadequate.
She looked at Julian Vance—a man who could destroy her ex-husband with a word, yet held her as if she were made of delicate glass.
"If I say yes," Rowena whispered, her breath catching, "what happens to Dylan?"
A dark, lethal smile touched Julian’s lips. "Dylan Mercer will spend the rest of his life answering questions from federal prosecutors. He will never cross your path again."
May you like
Rowena took a deep, shuddering breath. The fear in her chest began to dissolve, replaced by a sudden, exhilarating surge of freedom and purpose. She raised her chin, looking Julian dead in the eye.
"Give me my baby, Julian," she said softly. "And make me your wife."
