My hand slid down her side, and she shivered. “There’s my proof.”
She turned in my arms, eyes bright with that mix of mischief and love that always leveled me. “Good morning, husband.”
“Morning, wife.”
Six months and I still couldn’t believe it—couldn’t believe she was mine. Not because of a deal, not because of the family, but because she chose me. Because I convinced the coldest, most beautiful woman I ever met that I was worth her love.
The business had shifted since the wedding. I let Taiwan and my lieutenants handle the street work while I focused more on the legit shit. Don’t get it twisted—anybody testing me still caught the smoke. But my priorities were different now. Theempire mattered, but not more than the woman in my bed. Not more than this life we were building together.
“I can’t believe today is the day.”
Today was her grand opening. I’d watched her build that emporium from the ground up, pouring herself into every detail.
“I’m proud of you,” I said, because that was the truth. “You did that.”
“We did that. Your money made it possible.”
“Nah, baby. Your vision made it possible. I just wrote the check.”
She smiled, but I saw the nerves underneath. This wasn’t just business for her. This was proof that she could stand on her own, that being with me didn’t erase who she was. She came to me with her own, and I would never try to overshadow that. My job as her husband would always be to illuminate.
“You know what’s crazy?” she asked.
“What’s that?”
“Remember when you asked me what I’d want if I could snap my fingers and have anything?”
I remembered. She lit up just talking about it that night in the car.
“Yeah. I remember.”
“I thought it was just a dream. Something I’d never get to touch. And now… look.”
“Now look,” I agreed, sliding my hand over hers. “You got everything you dreamed of and more. And you almost ran instead of marrying me.”
She laughed, shaking her head. “Boy, shut up. I’ll forever be grateful you saved me.”
I locked on her gaze, voice dropping. “That wasn’t us. That was God lining shit up.”
Her smile softened, eyes glistening. “You’re right. I’m blessed. Not just with the business. With all of it.”
I pressed my forehead to hers, my voice rough. “Baby…”
“I know, I know. I’m being sentimental.” She chewed her lip, debating if she should even say it. “I spent so long protecting myself, building walls just to survive. I never thought about what it would feel like to actually live and love.”
I let out a low breath. I knew exactly what she meant. We’d both been surviving, hustling, keeping people at arm’s length like that was the only way to breathe. Then somehow, we ended up here.
Us.
Later, I watched her get ready for the night she’d been grinding toward. I used to think power meant keeping everybody at a distance. Control everything, trust nobody. Coco showed me different, real power’s letting the right one close, even when it scares the fuck outta you.
Her grand opening was flawless. Icy Co. Emporium had her stamp on every corner. The guests were impressed, and the press was buzzing. I stayed in the cut, arms crossed, just watching my wife run the room. She was sharp, unshakable, glowing.
My fuckin lady.
When the night wound down, it was just her and me. Surrounded by flowers and half-empty champagne glasses.
“How it feel?” I asked, pulling her close.
