“Number one, I am not marrying you,” Emery said. She had just gotten out of a really toxic long-term rtionship. Why the heck would she jump into another confusing rtionship with this man? It just didn’t make any sense! “Two. What are these transfers of assets? Have you lost your mind? I already told you, I can take care of myself and my child.”


    “That is what you deserve for bearing my child,” he answered.


    Emery folded her arms, keeping her expression neutral as she stared at the documents on the table. “I don’t need any of this,” she said, flicking a hand at the thick file in front of her. “I’m not taking your properties. I’m not taking a house. And I’m definitely not taking your name.”


    Logan leaned back in the chair, one ankle resting casually on his opposite knee. His mouth curved into a small smile-not smug, just steady. “It’s not about need,” he said. “It’s about what you deserve. For bearing my child.”


    Emery tilted her head. “You keep saying that like it entitles you to rearrange my entire life.”


    “I’m not rearranging anything. I’m offering you stability. Security.”


    She scoffed. “I can take care of myself. And my child.”


    Logan reached forward and tapped a spot on the document. “Then don’t think of it as mine. Think of it as a legal arrangement that benefits you.”


    She raised an eyebrow.


    “If I don’t marry you, your father will try to marry you off to another man. To someone else. Some diplomat’s son from Vienna whose been married 4 times, or a businessman from Russia who’s 20 years older than you.” He pushed the file toward her. “This marriage stops that. And no, I won’t touch your business or your personal affairs. You do whatever you want. All I ask is that you let me put bodyguards on you and that you live with me.”


    Emery leaned back slightly. “Bodyguards?” She thought about how casually he had told her about Talia’s ident, the estate that looked like it belonged to royalty, and the staff who moved like trained soldiers. Was he some kind of Mafja boss? Is that why he was so protective of her child? That was the only thing that made sense. “That would make me look like some kind of important person.”


    Logan met her gaze. “You are.”


    She blinked.


    He didn’t flinch. “You’re carrying my child. That makes you a target. You may not realize it now, but


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    there are people who watch Bloodlines. Alliances. Names.”


    She opened her mouth to argue again, but he cut her off before she could say anything


    “I’m not giving you a penthouse to show off. The house in France? It’s not for you. It’s for the baby. A backup n. There’s a vineyard and a private medical facility an hour away. My people already swept the area for security risks.”


    Emery narrowed her eyes. “I told you, I don’t rely on anyone. Especially not a man.”


    Logan made a short, almost amused sound. “This isn’t you relying. This is me ensuring the child you’re carrying doesn’t sleep in some leaky apartment with a broken lock?”


    She stared at him, searching for an angle. Something to push back on. “You’re just buying your way into this.”


    “No,” he said, leaning forward now. “I’m protecting what’s mine.”


    Her jaw clenched. She looked back at the documents. Everything wasid out neatly-property transfers, legal guardianship uses, and non-disclosure agreements. A French vi, a Manhattan condo, a trust fund already ruing interest.


    Emery’s eyes snapped back to his. “So that’s it? You’re covering for me?”


    He didn’t move. “I’m making sure you’re not cornered.”


    “And what do you get out of this?” she asked. “Are you really doing all this because I’m pregnant?”


    He paused. His eyes flicked to her stomach for half a second, then back to her face.


    “Would you believe me,” he said, “if I told you it’s because you’re my mate?”


    Her breath caught. For a moment, she didn’t respond.


    Then she frowned. “What the hell are you talking about?” What mate?


    He tilted his head slightly. “Exactly. You wouldn’t believe it. So it’s easier for both of us if you think it’s


    all for the child.”


    She didn’t speak. Her eyes dropped back to the file. She flipped a few pages until one of the documents caught her attention. It listed Logan’s full title. The seal was real. So was the signature


    from the Pce Office.


    “Why the hell are you listed as an Earl?”


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    Logan shrugged. “Long story. It involved a hostage rescue, a scandal, and a Prime Minister’s idiot son. The Queen made it official two years ago.”


    Emery looked up again. “You’re serious?”


    He stood and crossed the room slowly, stopping just behind her chair. “I don’t joke about titles. Or


    children.”


    She could feel the heat of his presence now. Too close. Too still.


    She turned her head, barely an inch. He didn’t move back.


    “I don’t even like you,” she said tly.


    “I’m not asking for anything,” he replied.


    She hesitated. “I’ll consider the marriage. But not the properties.”


    He was right about one thing-marrying him would keep her father from trying to lock her into another arranged disaster. It gave her space, maybe even a bit of control. But the idea of being tied to someone she barely knew made her uneasy.


    Her thoughts drifted to Samuel.


    For years, she’d believed they had a future. They built a life together-or so she thought. But when it came down to it, he picked someone else. He left her without hesitation, as if the years meant


    nothing.


    And now here she was, about to sign herself into another agreement-this time with a man she didn’t


    even know.


    His hand brushed the back of her chair. “Toote. The transfers are already in motion.”


    She stared at him. “You can’t just—’


    “I can,” he said. “And I did.”


    ”


    Her fingers tightened around the edge of the table. “You’re insane.”


    “You’ll thank meter.”


    She looked up at him. He didn’t blink. Didn’t smile.


    And that was the problem. He actually meant it.