Chapter 101 Beg For It

Chapter 101 Beg For It
Their breath was still ragged as the kiss slowly broke. Ethan didn’t pull away he kept Emily trapped in his embrace, resting his forehead against hers while his fingers remained tangled in her hair.

“I won’t force you, not until you ask for it yourself,” Ethan whispered teasingly.

Emily glared at him, annoyed. She had been on the verge of losing control under that heated touch.

Ethan pulled back slightly, his eyes regaining their sharp, alert edge. His protective side was taking over again.

"You and our son won't be safe as long as they’re still out there," Ethan continued. "Tonight wasn't just a coincidence, Emily. Rudolf wouldn't dare move this far without help or a solid plan."

Emily took a long breath, trying to steady her racing heart. She straightened her slightly disheveled dress with hands that were still trembling.

"I know. Rudolf has been planning this for a long time, but he’s always stayed behind the scenes."

Ethan took one hand off the table and rubbed his face tiredly before locking eyes with Emily again.

"Tell me everything," Ethan commanded. "Who else do you suspect right now? I need names. Besides Rudolf, who else has a motive to destroy you or use Louei to bait me?"

Emily went silent for a moment, her mind racing through the strange occurrences of the past few years.

"Rudolf is a clear threat. He wants revenge because of my place in your life, and he knows I’m your weakness. But ..." Emily hesitated.

"But what?" Ethan pressed.

"Helena," Emily answered softly.

Ethan’s jaw tightened at the mention of the name. "Helena? She’s crossed the line plenty of times, but if she’s actually been working with Rudolf all this time ..." Ethan trailed off, his eyes narrowing dangerously. "Then she’s signed her own death warrant."

Ethan straightened up, giving Emily room to climb down from the table, but he immediately gripped her hand firmly.

"Ethan, is there anyone else? Someone from your past or within your business circle?" Emily asked.

Ethan shook his head slowly.

"Ethan, it’s impossible that those two are crazy enough to do this alone. Could it be ... your family?"

"Meaning who?" Ethan asked.

"Your father and your stepmother."

Ethan remained silent, but this time, he didn't dismiss her suspicion.

"I’ll investigate every move my father and Aunt Elsa make. And Rudolf ... he won't see the sun rise if he dares come near this house again."

Emily gave a touched smile, this time, she trusted Ethan completely.

Ethan pulled her back into a hug and looked deep into her eyes. "From now on, you and Louei don't go anywhere without my protection. Do you understand?"

Emily looked into Ethan’s eyes, seeing the sincerity and the suppressed rage held within. For the first time in a long while, she didn’t feel the need to argue. She nodded slowly.

"I understand, Ethan."

The nighttime silence of the study felt heavy, leaving only the sound of the wall clock ticking as if counting down to the next storm. Ethan released his hold gradually, but his eyes stayed locked on Emily, as if mapping every inch of fear that might still linger on her face.

"My father has always viewed my marriage to you as a threat," Ethan continued. "If he knows you and Louei are here, he’ll feel his position is compromised."

“Ethan, haven't you been suspicious of Rudolf all along?” Emily interrupted.

“What do you mean?” Ethan asked back.

Emily stepped closer, standing beside Ethan but not quite daring to touch him. She could feel the cold aura radiating from him the same aura he used to crush his business rivals in an instant.

“What if Rudolf has been working with your father this whole time?” Emily added.

Ethan went still. In truth, he had been thinking the same thing. “You’re right. I’ve been thinking that myself.”

"Then what's your plan?" Emily asked anxiously. "If we attack Rudolf openly, it’ll trigger an all out war. And if your father or Aunt Elsa are truly involved, they have ears in every corner of this city."

Ethan turned, a faint, lethal smirk playing on his lips. "I’m not going to attack openly, Emily. I’m going to let them feel like they’ve won for a moment. Let them think their plan actually has us cornered."

Ethan walked to his desk and pressed the intercom, connecting directly to River’s phone.

"Sir," River answered briefly. "Is Emily okay?" he asked with concern.

"Yes, your sister is fine," Ethan replied. "River, tighten security at every entry point of this house. I want everyone entering or leaving this estate checked twice. And ..." Ethan paused, his gaze sharpening. "Prepare a special team to watch both Louei and Emily. Understood?"

"Understood, sir."

"One more thing. Monitor every communication coming out of my father’s residence. If he makes contact with Rudolf or anyone from my father's side of the family, let me know immediately."

Click.

The line went dead.

Emily approached Ethan and gently touched his arm. "Ethan, promise me one thing."

Ethan looked at her intensely, his thumb brushing the back of her hand. "Anything."

"Don't let your anger cloud your logic. Louei needs his father, not a man blinded by revenge."

Ethan pulled Emily back into his arms, more gently this time, as if wanting to shield her from all the cruelty in the world. He kissed the top of her head with a deep sense of possession.

"I will do whatever it takes to keep you both safe," Ethan whispered in her ear. "Even if I have to burn this world to the ground to make sure you and Louei stay safe in the ashes."

The passion that had briefly cooled flared up again, this time with a more consuming intensity. Ethan no longer gave logic room to breathe. He swept his lips along Emily’s jawline, giving her small, demanding kisses before finally locking her lips in a deep, hungry kiss.

Emily let out a muffled moan. Her trembling hands slid up, gripping Ethan’s collar as if it were her only anchor in a world that was beginning to spin. Ethan’s touch at her waist felt like fire  his fingers slid down, lifting Emily’s thighs so she was once again sitting on the cold wooden table, creating a sharp contrast with their skyrocketing body heat.

Ethan broke the kiss for a second, his breath coming in short gasps against Emily's face. His sharp eyes were now completely dark with desire, staring at Emily, who looked disheveled yet captivating with her swollen lips and dazed expression.

“Ethan.”

"Beg me, Emily," Ethan whispered, his voice husky and low, thick with a maddening dominance.