Page 192

She is timeless. Powerful. Untouchable.

And standing here, radiant beneath the exploding lights, wrapped in crystal brilliance and serene confidence, there’s only one thought anchored deep in my chest—she’s mine.

It’s almost midnight, and I’m sick of the conversations I’m dragged into against my will—each carefully designed to pull my attention away from the only person who matters, Thalia.

She left my side a few minutes ago so Sierra could introduce her to an old friend, and now the guys and I are trapped in a conversation with a painfully dull business partner I’ve dealt with before. He owns a company that might interest me, and I could easily exploit his eagerness to talk business, but it’s the last thing on my mind. All I want is for the countdown to start for the new year to arrive, and to vanish with Thalia into our room.

“Ethan, what a pleasure to see you again,” a voice says somewhere to my left.

I turn to see Tatiana, the daughter of another business partner. Before I can react, she steps closer, looping her arm through mine, leaning in to kiss my cheek. I manage to pull away just in time, discreetly, without creating a scene, taking a step back and forcing a measured half-smile onto my face.

“Tatiana,” I say, giving a brief nod.

My brothers know that ever since high school, Tatiana has done everything to capture my attention. And the harder she tried, the more firmly I shut down every attempt.

Is she one of the women I’ve never had anything with? Yes. More than that—her presence irritates me.

Zayn steps in immediately, nodding to her before saying loudly, “Man, I think Thalia’s looking for you.”

He gestures toward the spot where Thalia stands, observing everything. I can’t quite read her expression, but I’m certain she saw it all, and I know she didn’t like it.

Without a word, I pat Zayn on the back and head straight for her.

I reach her at the exact moment Nick arrives at Sierra’s side.

“Kitten,” I murmur the instant I wrap my arms around her.

Surprisingly, she’s completely relaxed. She even looks up at me with a smile.

“Everything okay?” she asks softly, leaning into me.

“Yes,” I answer immediately. “I’m sorry. I didn’t see her in time to stop her from getting close,” I explain, serious.

She shifts slightly, taking my hand, and says, “It’s okay, Ethan. I could tell how tense you were when she approached you.”

“So you’re not upset?” I whisper against her ear.

Laughing softly, she presses her lips to my neck and murmurs, “Ethan, I’m jealous, that’s for sure.” A few more kisses trail along my skin. “But I’m not ridiculous.”

“Countdown’s starting any second,” a voice calls from somewhere in the hall.

Thalia remains motionless in my arms, and I tighten my hold on her, just a fraction, unwilling to let her slip even an inch.

Nick and Sierra are right next to us, she relaxed in his embrace.

“Let’s go outside,” Nick says, then steals a kiss from Sierra, unable to resist.

Hand in hand, Thalia and I follow them toward the exit, joining the rest of the guys. We wait for everyone else to step out first, then make our way onto the terrace ourselves. The other guests are scattered across the garden, while my family—my entire extended family—remains gathered close together.

The countdown begins on a massive display set up by the pool for the occasion, and everyone lifts their gaze toward the sky.

“You good, kitten?” I whisper against Thalia’s ear, her head resting on my shoulder, her eyes fixed above.

She turns to me with a wide smile and answers briefly, “Perfect,” before returning her attention to the sky.

“10, 9, 8, 7, 6…”

At three, I step back a few paces from Thalia, pulling out my phone and capturing the moment just as she turns, confusion flickering across her face when she realizes I’m no longer right behind her.