Chapter 327: The Reconciliation

David’s POV

When Holly came downstairs, I forgot how to breathe.

Not because she touched me. But because she didn’t.

She walked in beside Ava…calm, composed… like she hadn’t completely wrecked me hours ago.

My jaw tightened instinctively, my body already reacting before my mind could catch up.

She looked… lethal.

That black slip dress clung to her like sin…thin, soft, barely there. No bra. No panties. I didn’t need to check…I knew. I could see it in the way the fabric brushed against her, in the way her nipples strained against the silk, in the way she moved like she had a purpose.

Like she was coming for me.

The scent hit me next…vanilla. Sweet. Familiar. My grip tightened on the edge of the table.

Mine.

She didn’t look at me immediately. Just pulled out the chair beside mine and sat down like she belonged there.

Like she owned the space… Like she owned me.

And then almost immediately, her foot brushed mine under the table.

Light. Accidental.

Except it wasn’t.

My grip tightened around the glass in my hand. I didn’t react. Couldn’t.

Not with Orion sitting across from me like a loaded weapon.

Not with Ava right there.

What will they think of me?

Holly shifted slightly in her seat again.

Her foot slid higher slowly and my pulse spiked.

Good heavens.

I forced my attention forward, locking into whatever Orion was saying, even though every nerve in my body was suddenly on fire.

No one noticed. No one knew.

Except her. And me.

And the worst part? She didn’t even look at me.

Just sat there, nodding occasionally, talking to Ava like she wasn’t currently testing the limits of my self-control.

I had to get straight to the point, no need putting this off any longer. If Orion still wants to throw punches, fine.

I stood up suddenly, my chair scraping the floor and the room went silent.

“I want Holly,” I said, my voice rough but steady despite the storm inside me. “I want her more than air.”

Orion’s voice came out tight. “What do you want her for?”

I didn’t hesitate.

“I want her to be my woman. My wife whenever she’s ready. My everything. The mother of my future kids. The only person who makes the nightmares stop. The only one I’d bleed for again without hesitation.”

Every word was the unfiltered truth.

Tension snapped tight across the room. Orion looked like he was two seconds away from breaking something…or me.

Holly leaned forward, her fingers sliding into mine, grounding me. “See? He’s not running. He wants me.”

My chest tightened. What if Ava turns the proposal down?

Orion looked at Ava, a knowing look passing between them like they had already had a discussion about this, and then he exhaled slowly, and stood.

For a second, I braced myself…ready for another hit.

Instead, he yanked me towards him and pulled me into a crushing hug.

I was reluctant at first, but then, I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding.

Ava hugged Holly first, then moved toward me…but Orion stepped in, blocking her with a grunt. I almost laughed despite myself.

Does he still think I have a thing for Ava?

“We’re family now,” Ava said quietly to me. “Kind of. Messy. Complicated. But family…because Holly will murder me and my family if we send you away. But, if you betray us again…any of us, you’re dead. I’ll make sure of it myself.”

I nodded once. “Understood.”

And I meant it.

That word…family…settled into the room in a way that felt… unfamiliar and heavy…but real nevertheless.

For a moment, no one spoke again.

Then Ava exhaled softly, like something had just loosened inside her.

“The Jamesons…” she began.

The shift was instant and everyone in the room felt it.

Orion’s posture changed.

Mine did too.

Even Holly’s foot stilled for half a second before resuming…slower this time, more deliberate.

I leaned forward slightly.

“They won’t be a problem anymore,” I said.

Orion’s eyes snapped to mine. “Explain.”

I nodded once.

“Rachel’s been charged. Everything stuck…kidnapping, fraud, murder, conspiracy… all of it. She’s going to prison for life. No way out of that.”

Ava’s shoulders dropped just a little.

“And her brother?” She asked, voice low.

“He’s already in custody,” I replied. “Law enforcement tracked him down in China. He’s being escorted back.”

Orion’s eyes darkened with something sharp. “Good.”

I shook my head slightly. “It’s not that simple.”

That got his full attention.

“Their lawyers are pushing a mental illness defense,” I continued. “Hard. If it goes through, he won’t be sent to prison.”

Ava frowned. “Then where?”

“A psychiatric facility,” I said. “High security. Locked down. But not prison.”

Orion let out a quiet, humorless breath. “He deserves to spend the rest of his life behind bars.”

“I know,” I said. “But either way…he’s not walking free. Not now. Not ever. He’s still behind bars, just one with a fancy name.”

I let the words settle before finishing…

“Their entire network has been exposed. Every deal. Every crime. The Jamesons are finished.”

Everyone seemed to exhale deeply at that point, like the news somehow liberated them.

“They won’t terrorize us again,” Ava said, her voice steadier now, but there was heat underneath it. “All their petty, dirty tricks…”

Her hand moved instinctively, resting over her stomach.

“They kidnapped Liam,” she added, anger breaking through. “A little boy. My little boy. Just because of their greed. How could they bear to kidnap a child?”

The room tightened around that.

“I hope they rot in jail,” she finished coldly.

Orion didn’t hesitate. “If any of them gets out,” he said, his voice dropping into something lethal, “if they try anything again—”

His gaze hardened. “I’ll kill them myself and gladly go to jail for it.”

Ava turned her head slowly, eyeing him.

“Oh?” she said, one brow lifting. “And who exactly are you planning to leave me for when you go to jail, Orion?”

For a second, I almost smirked.

Then Orion leaned closer to her, his entire expression shifting, softer, but no less intense.

“I’m not leaving you,” he said quietly. “Not for anything. Not for anyone.”

Ava held his gaze.

“You think I’d let something like prison keep me away from you?” he added, a faint edge of something dangerous slipping into his tone. “I’d find my way back.”

Ava huffed softly, but there was no bite in it. “You’re unbelievable.”

“I’m yours,” he corrected and something in her expression softened.

And just like that, the tension eased…slightly.

I leaned back in my chair, exhaling under my breath.

Big mistake.

Because the second I relaxed… Holly’s foot pressed higher.

I stiffened but managed to keep my face neutral.

Didn’t move.

Didn’t react.

Didn’t even breathe like a normal person.

“I’d just like to say,” I started, my voice coming out tighter than intended, “that if anyone’s going to jail, I’ll be the one…”

“The one to do what exactly?”

Holly cut in smoothly.

I turned my head towards her slowly.

She was finally looking at me now.

Eyes calm. Innocent.

I swallowed. “…nothing,” I said flatly.

Orion snorted while Ava smiled faintly.

And Holly?

She just leaned back in her chair like she hadn’t just nearly gotten me killed at a dinner table.

Holly started talking…fast, animated, listing more instructions to Ava about Caden. I watched her, something in my chest loosening.

This…this was what I’d almost lost.

Something I had almost ignored because of my pride.