Chapter 70 The Session
JEREMY
I woke briefly sometime in the night. Still against her. Still holding her.
Amelia's hand was in my hair. Gentle. Soothing.
She'd let me do that. Let me be vulnerable in a way I'd never been with anyone.
Let me show her the part of me that needed comfort, not just the part that provided it.
I should feel embarrassed. Should feel exposed.
Instead, I felt—safe.
Like I could be all of myself with her. Strong and weak. Protective and vulnerable. Everything.
I shifted slightly, finally pulling away from her breast. Pressed a kiss to her skin before pulling her shirt back down.
"Jeremy?" Her voice was sleepy. "You okay?"
"Perfect. Go back to sleep."
"Mmm." She curled against me. "Love you."
The words were barely a whisper. Said in half-sleep. Probably didn't even know she'd said them.
But I heard.
And my chest tightened so hard I could barely breathe.
She loved me.
Amelia loved me.
I held her closer. Pressed my face into her hair.
"I love you too," I whispered. Even though she was already asleep. Even though she couldn't hear me.
Even though I didn't know how to make this work. Didn't know how to keep her safe while keeping her mine. Didn't know how to navigate my father's warnings and Antonio's schemes and the impossible situation we were in.
But I loved her.
And somehow, I'd find a way.
I had to.
AMELIA
I woke to morning light—I could feel its warmth on my face—and Jeremy's arms still around me.
He was awake. I could tell by his breathing.
"Morning," I said.
"Morning." His lips pressed to my shoulder. "How are you feeling? Still sore?"
"A little. But better."
"Good." He shifted. "I have meetings today. All morning. I should be back by two."
Two.
My meeting with Alex was at noon.
"Okay," I said, keeping my voice neutral. "I'll probably just read. Maybe call Elena."
"That sounds nice." He kissed my shoulder again. "Amelia?"
"Yeah?"
"Last night—when I asked you—" He paused. "Thank you. For not making me feel strange about it. For just—accepting it."
"Of course." I turned in his arms to face him. "Jeremy, you can be yourself with me. All of yourself. The strong parts and the vulnerable parts. Okay?"
"Okay." His forehead rested against mine. "You make me feel—" He stopped. "Safe. You make me feel safe."
My chest ached. Because he felt safe with me while I was planning to betray his trust.
While I was planning to sneak out and meet his enemy.
I'll tell him, I promised myself. After. I'll tell him everything and we'll work through it.
But for now—
For now, I held him. Let him think I was trustworthy. Let him think his secrets were safe with me.
Even though mine weren't safe at all.
Jeremy left at nine. Meetings with suppliers. Territory discussions. Business that would keep him away until mid-afternoon.
Perfect timing.
I got dressed. Simple clothes. Nothing that would draw attention.
Called Luca at ten-thirty. "I'm going for a walk on the grounds. Just to get some air."
"Okay. Want me to come with you?"
"No, I'm fine. Just staying on the estate. I'll be back in an hour."
"Alright. Be careful."
I hung up. Grabbed my cane. My phone.
And walked out of the wing before I could change my mind.
The coffee shop on Fifth and Madison was exactly where Alex had said it would be.
I found a corner table. Waited.
Footsteps approached. "Amelia?"
"Alex." I smiled. "Hi."
"You came. I wasn't sure you would." He sat down across from me. "Ready to learn to shoot?"
"Yes."
"Okay. We'll go to the range after coffee. It's about twenty minutes outside the city. Private. No one will see us."
No one will see us.
Like we were doing something wrong.
Which we were.
But I pushed the guilt down. Smiled. Nodded.
"That sounds perfect."
And told myself, again, that I could handle the consequences.
When they came.