Ashford’s, begrudgingly, next.
Then Nathan raised his hand—slow, savoring it.
A wave of hands.
Five votes from his side.
Five from mine.
Unanimous.
Chapter 53
***
Emma
By the time I made it to Elion, the sting had settled into a low, simmering throb—manageable while standing, absolutely vicious the moment I lowered myself into the backseat of Harold’s car.
Damien had laid out a loose cotton dress and the softest pair of panties I owned, his last quiet act of care before bolting to Falkirk—exhausted, wired, but still thinking about me.
About my body.
About what he’d done to it.
He’d been incredible last night. Watching over me like a guardian angel.
And when I caught my reflection in the mirror this morning… something dark and delighted had twisted through me. Red welts shaped like his handprint were etched across my skin. Bruises bloomed in purple and brown like painted constellations along my hips and thighs.
I looked mangled.
Marked.
Claimed.
And I… liked it.
Every glimpse, every wince, every brush of fabric against tender skin pulled me right back to last night—to the rush, the surrender, the way he’d held me afterward like I was something precious.
Even now, as I walked through Elion’s lobby, I felt it. The strength. The confidence. The power I’d reclaimed in my surrender. It curled low and steady as I stepped up to Sarah’s desk.
“Morning,” I said lightly.
Sarah jolted like I’d startled her. Papers shuffled. Her glasses slid down the bridge of her nose.
“Oh—Ms.Sinclair! I—I just got off the phone with Damien Holt.” Her voice pitched higher, words coming too fast. “He said he’d like to meet with you and your leadership team in thirty minutes.”
I nodded once. Calm. Steady. “Thank you, Sarah. I’ll let them know.”
She blinked at me, eyebrows pulling together—like she couldn’t figure out how I was so composed.
Completely unaware of the secrets I wore at my neck and on my skin.
***
Jennifer was already in Conference Room 2 when I arrived, pacing the length of the room like a storm cloud in heels.
“Please tell me you know what this is about,” she hissed the moment I stepped inside.
