Chapter 82 On My Terms
Leitana stepped out of the car, Ravial’s strong arm wrapped possessively around her waist as they climbed the stone stairs to the grand double doors of the villa. Her eyes kept darting up to his face, searching the sharp lines of his jaw, the ever-present blindfold, anything that might reveal what he was truly feeling.
During the long drive home, after his calm acceptance of her confession, she had stayed silent, relief washing over her like warm island rain. He wasn’t angry. That alone felt like a miracle. So she had let herself sink against his chest, lulled by the steady, powerful beat of his heart, his fingers threading slowly, tenderly through her curls until she drifted into a light, exhausted nap.
But now, back in the cool night air, her mind wouldn’t quiet. She couldn’t stop thinking about Celeste—about the promise she’d made to a restless spirit. She believed Ravial when he said he was already investigating, but something deep inside her needed to help, to make sure that young woman’s soul found peace before it twisted into something dark and vengeful.
Lost in her thoughts, Leitana didn’t watch her steps. Her foot caught on the edge of a stone stair, and suddenly the world tilted. She pitched forward, a startled yelp escaping her lips as sharp steps rushed up to meet her face.
Strong hands caught her instantly.
Ravial’s arm locked around her waist, yanking her back and lifting her clean off the ground. In one effortless motion, he cradled her horizontally against his side, her body floating, held securely by his strength alone.
She squeaked, cheeks flaming with embarrassment at the undignified way he now carried her, like an indignant child.
“R-Ravial… d-dis…” she stammered.
He didn’t answer, just climbed the remaining steps with ease, turned her upright, and set her gently on her feet in front of him.
“You keep thinking about that,” he said, voice low and knowing. “I’m not going to change my mind, little lamb.”
He grasped her small hand in his much larger one and pulled her forward. The butlers swung the heavy doors open in perfect silence as they entered.
“W-why not, Ravial? Mi… mi jus’ wan’ help,” she pleaded, hurrying to keep up with his long strides.
“No.”
“Why not?”
“No.”
“Plis,” she begged, nearly jogging beside him.
“Welcome back, Master,” one of the staff said with a deep bow, stepping behind Leitana to help remove her coat.
“Do not touch her,” Ravial said sharply.
The man froze, eyes wide, then nodded quickly and retreated.
Ravial never broke stride, leading her up the sweeping staircase, her hand still captured in his.
“Yu worried mi not safe, right?” she tried again, breathless from the pace. “But mi will be safe. No one dare harm mi—mi wife of Ravial Ashbourne.”
He slowed immediately when he heard her ragged breathing, a faint smirk tugging at his lips, but he said nothing.
She took the smirk as encouragement.
“Yes—mi yu wife,” she repeated, leaning closer, gazing up at him with bright, hopeful eyes. “No one dare harm mi.”
He glanced down at her, expression unreadable, then guided her around the corner toward their bedroom. With one smooth push, the doors swung open. He stepped inside, pulled her in after him, and closed the doors with a soft, final click.
Leitana kept talking, standing in the center of the room, looking up at him with wide, earnest eyes as his hands moved to the buttons of the large coat still draped over her naked body. He began unfastening them, one by one, while she rambled on, words spilling out in her melodic rush.
“So… plis allow mi to help. Mi use power as yu wife—get close, look at contracts, listen when people talk. Nobody go suspect mi. Mi just curious new wife who wan’ know more ’bout yu business. Mi no confront nobody dangerous. Mi jus’… observe. Like Lafu dem say. Mi tell yu everything mi hear, every night. Mi promise. Mi no hide nothing again.”
Button by button, the coat parted and slipped from her shoulders, pooling in a dark heap at her feet. She stood completely bare before him—golden skin flushed, small breasts marked with faint bites, thighs blooming with red teeth prints and fingerprints, the faint outline of his grip still visible around her delicate throat.
She didn’t even notice.
Too caught up in her plea, gesturing animatedly, curls bouncing as she stepped closer.
Ravial’s blindfolded gaze roamed over every exposed inch, a slow, predatory smirk curving his lips—amused, aroused, utterly in control.
His hand rose, thumb tracing the perfect ring of fingerprints around her neck. Leitana shivered violently, a soft gasp escaping her lips, but she pressed on, voice trembling yet determined.
“Mi know yu already investigating… but mi feel her, Ravial. Celeste. She restless. She come to mi in dream, begging. Mi no want her spirit turn bad. Mi wan’ help give her peace. Plis… let mi do dis small thing.”
He stepped closer, towering over her, hand sliding from her throat to cup her jaw, tilting her face up to his. His thumb brushed her swollen bottom lip.
“You really want to help,” he murmured, voice laced with dark amusement. He was enjoying this—her naked vulnerability, her passionate rambling, the way she begged without realizing how deeply she already belonged to him.
Leitana nodded eagerly, eyes shining. “Yes. More than anything. Mi no wan’ break mi promise to her… and mi no wan’ hide from yu again. Mi tell yu everything. Mi promise.”
Ravial’s smirk deepened. He leaned down, lips brushing her forehead in a gesture almost tender.
“Very well, little lamb,” he whispered against her skin. “You may help.”
Her face lit up, a breathless smile breaking across it. “Tank yu! Mi—”
He silenced her gently, fingers tightening just slightly on her jaw. “On my terms.”
She stilled, listening.
“You will go to the company tomorrow, as planned. You will smile, be curious, listen. You will not confront anyone. You will not be alone in any room with Jim, Valentina, or anyone I haven’t cleared. You will text me every hour. You will come home to me every night and tell me every word, every glance, every suspicion—immediately.”
He pulled back just enough to hold her gaze, thumb stroking her cheek.
“And if I decide it’s too dangerous—if I sense even a hint of threat—you stop. Instantly. No arguments. Because your safety is not negotiable. Your life is mine to protect. Understood?”
Leitana nodded, relief and gratitude flooding her eyes. “Yes. Mi understand. Tank yu, Ravial.”
He released her jaw, only to slide both hands down her bare sides, gripping her waist and pulling her flush against him.
“Good girl.”
Then, voice dropping to that lethal calm:
“Now tell me their plan. Every detail. Leave nothing out.”
Leitana swallowed, but didn’t hesitate. Wrapped in his arms, naked and marked and utterly safe, she told him everything, Lafu’s voicemail, the muffled voice, Jim’s reassignment, Valentina the “green snake,” the request to plant curiosity with him, all of it.
Ravial listened in silence, face unreadable.
When she finished, he pressed a slow, possessive kiss to her forehead.
“Tomorrow,” he said quietly, “you will go. And you will be perfect.”
His hands tightened on her waist.
“But tonight… you’re mine. No ghosts. No plans. Just us.”
And before she could speak, he lifted her again, this time carrying her toward the bed, coat forgotten on the floor, ready to remind her exactly who she belonged to.