“Malcolm here said that Rona’s Asterion account was corrupted by someone with admin access.” The senator’s already brittle smile turns predatory. I shiver at the thought of being on the receiving end of that woman’s anger. “From where I’m standing, there’s no other way this could have happened than someone working inside Asterion Media who gave Caroline that access.”
The senator glances at Malcolm. “Of course, if the great Malcolm Bridgeman would be willing to take the stand and testify to this at my committee, it would convince any jury.”
Malcolm considers the senator for a long moment before nodding. “You know this means implicating Cassius Roarkehimself, right? He’s a powerful man. Not one you want as an enemy.”
Senator Quinn scoffs. “Young man, I’ve dealt with worse men than Cassius Roarke in my career.”
And I believe it. But that's her battle now, not mine and not Rona’s.
I turn back to Rona, who's watching me with an expression so full of love and trust it nearly brings me to my knees.
"Ready to go home?" I ask.
"More than ready," she says, then looks past me to Malcolm. "Thank you. For everything."
Malcolm grins, looking pleased with himself. "Just doing my job. And hey—if you ever need someone to trace more bad guys, you know where to find me."
As we prepare to leave, Senator Quinn catches my arm. "Take care of her," she says quietly.
"Always," I promise, and I mean it with every fiber of my being.
We walk out of that sterile conference room together, past the security agents and the churning chaos of Caroline's arrest, into the hotel corridor that smells like industrial carpet and stale air. But all I can focus on is Rona's hand in mine, warm and real and choosing me.
Choosing us.
"So," Rona says, her voice light with barely contained laughter, "think that paint set is still waiting for me?"
"Every brush, every tube, exactly where you left them," I tell her, pulling her closer.
“I love you,” she says, her eyes shining bright with unshed tears.
"And I love you," I tell her, the words coming easier each time I say them. I bring her hand to my lips, pressing a kiss to her knuckles. "You are everything to me, Rona Quinn. Everything and more."
I'm looking forward to tomorrow and all the tomorrows after that.
Toward forever with my mate, my love, my Rona.
Home.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Rona
Theheavyroastingpansettles onto the farmhouse table with a satisfyingthunk, savory heat and rosemary blooming into the warm air like a benediction. I catch Jennifer's eye across the flickering candlelight as we all settle into our chairs, noting how she and Elga thread their fingers together with barely contained excitement that practically vibratesbetween them.
When Darhg frowns at Elga's announcement that "we have news," grumbling that he doesn't like surprises, I lean into his solid warmth and tell him with a smile that he'll like this one.
The cabin feels like something out of a fairy tale tonight. Snow feathers against the frost-etched windows while the fireplace crackles with orange flames that cast dancing shadows across the braided rug. Mason jar candles flicker on the long farmhouse table with its mismatched linen runner, creating warm pools of light that make everything golden and perfect. The platter of rosemary-garlic roasted meat and winter vegetables steams between us, filling the air with rich, earthy scents that mix with Elga's fresh shortbread cooling on the wire rack.
It's been three weeks since we returned to Saltford Bay, three weeks since Caroline's arrest and Mom's explosive press conference that sent Asterion's stock into freefall. Three weeks of peace, of waking up in Darhg's arms in our bed, of painting by the windows while snow falls outside like a blessing.
Three weeks of being exactly who I want to be.
"So," I prompt, lifting my mug of mulled cider and breathing in the cinnamon-spice steam. "What's this news that's got you two looking like you're about to burst?"
Jennifer's voice trembles with joy as she speaks. "We're expecting a baby."
The words hang in the air for a heartbeat before I squeal with delight, my eyes stinging with happy tears. Darhg blinks insurprise beside me, then breaks into one of those rare, soft grins that transforms his entire face.
