The car turned past the gates, and Emery stared out the tinted window, her eyes focked on the long driveway stretching ahead.


    It twisted through manicured trees and untouchedwn, a quiet stretch ofnd that separated the Be estate from the rest of the world. The gate had felt massive when they drove in, but the silence of the path felt worse. She could already see the distant lights of the main mansion, glowing against the evening sky.


    It felt like it took forever to reach the entrance.


    Her fingers curled tighter around her clutch. Her other hand rested on herp, stiff.


    Then Logan reached over and took it.


    She looked down. His hand was warm, steady. He didn’t say anything at first.


    “I can hear your heartbeat,” he said.


    Emery snapped her head toward him, eyes narrowing. “What?”


    She clutched her chest, as if that would stop whatever he was hearing. “That’s not funny.”


    “I didn’t say it to be funny,” he replied. “You’re nervous. Don’t worry, I won’t harm your family for what


    they did to you.”


    Her lips pressed into a line. “I’m not nervous about that.”


    He turned to her. “About what, then?”


    “Why would you even say something like ‘I won’t harm your family’?” she asked. “Why would that even be the first thing you say right now?”


    Logan smirked and leaned back. “Because it’s the first thing you’re afraid of.”


    “That’s not true,” she muttered.


    He didn’t answer. Instead, he kept her hand in hers. The car slowed slightly as the main entrance


    came into view.


    “Behave,” he said, ncing toward the door. “Let me handle your father.”


    Emery bit the inside of her cheek. She looked away from him and focused on the approaching mansion. “You’re awfully confident.”


    12:59 Tue, 9 Sept


    “I have to be.”


    Her jaw tensed. “And what exactly are you nning to do in there?”


    He looked at her again. “Convince him you’re not making a mistake.”


    She pulled her hand away this time and folded her arms. “Right.”


    “You’re still doubting me.”


    “Of course I am,” she said before she could stop herself.


    Logan chuckled. Then he leaned forward slightly, his body shifting toward her.


    “Are you scared of me?”


    GK 70%8


    Her eyes snapped to his face. His brown eyes were fixed on her-too sharp, too steady. They always looked a little golden under the light, but in the dark interior of the car, they looked deeper. Warmer


    And for a second, she couldn’t look away.


    She didn’t answer.


    He tilted his head slightly.


    Emery shifted in her seat, her fingers tightening again. “I’m not scared of you.”


    “You flinched.”


    “I didn’t.”


    He smirked. “I can smell fear, mydy.”


    “Stop-stop calling me that,” she said, stumbling over the words. Emery never stuttered. Ever. She forced herself to meet his eyes, keeping her gaze steady, hoping it would hide the chaos behind it.


    Scared wasn’t even the right word.


    It wasn’t the wealth-she was raised in privilege. Penthouse parties, art auctions, and private boarding schools didn’t impress her. The jet, the estate, the staff that moved like military-none of it


    shook her.


    What did?


    Him.


    This man sitting beside her wasn’t just wealthy. He was built like a secret. Everything about him was


    12:59


    Tue, Sept


    precise, calcted, controlled.


    His portfolio alone read like the Fortune Global 500-tech, defense, aviation, holdings in countries


    with names she hadn’t seen on travel itineraries. The kind of man who didn’t just ownpanies he operated behind them.


    But why hadn’t she heard of him before?


    No social profile. No board meetings photographed. No glossy magazine covers, Just silence, followed by power that moved without needing to announce itself.


    Who was this man?


    No-what was he?


    A CEO wouldn’t carry that kind of presence. A hedge fund manager wouldn’t need that many private security clearances.


    Triad? Russian bratva? An arms dealer with a clean face and a fake business front?


    Her mind spiraled with theories. None of them were normal. None of them wereforting.


    All she knew was one thing-this wasn’t just a man who yed with money.


    This was a man who made kings look like chess pieces.


    “I said I’m not nervous,” Emery muttered. “Why would I be scared?”


    Logan didn’t look away. “Then tell me-how certain are you that I wouldn’t threaten them?”


    She hesitated, just for a beat.


    Then she straightened her shoulders and met his gaze. “Because you wouldn’t.”


    His eyes flicked over her face, reading more than she wanted to give away.


    “And I’m not scared that you would touch them,” she added quickly. “You might be a lot of things, but


    I don’t believe you’re cruel.”


    Even if everything about him suggested otherwise.


    He let out a surprise chuckle but didn’t argue this time. He just kept looking at her, like he already knew the truth. “You are not a very good liar, are you?” he smirked just as the car rolled to a stop.


    Emery swallowed hard and looked away again.


    Chaphy 6


    This wasn’t fear. Not exactly.


    But it wasn’tfort either.


    It was standing too close to a fire, aware of the heat, knowing you could burn, yet unable to step back.


    Slowly, her hand moved to her stomach.


    Logan stepped out of the car first. Without a word, he turned back and extended his hand.


    Emery hesitated for half a second, then ced her hand in his and stepped out. Her heels hit the stone driveway, and the cool air brushed against her skin as she straightened her posture.


    The sight ahead made her stomach tighten.


    Her grandmother stood near the front steps,posed but watchful. A few feet beside her, Adam loomed his expression unreadable. Next to him was his wife Deana. James was there too, standing still, his brows slightly pulled together.


    Seeing all of them at once sent a wave of emotion through her chest. She blinked fast and swallowed. It was the hormones, she told herself. The pregnancy. Nothing more.


    Logan released her hand and ced a hand gently on her lower back as they walked forward. It was subtle but grounding. He didn’t rush her.


    When they reached the steps, Mary opened her arms.


    Emery stepped forward and hugged her.


    It was brief but firm, and she held on just long enough to breathe in the familiarity before stepping back. Then she turned slightly and gestured to Logan.


    “This is Logan,” she said. “My fiance.”


    Logan stepped forward and shook Mary’s hand first, then James’s, then Adam’s. His movements were polite, measured. Emery noticed he never looked away from them as he did.


    “I’d be honored if you thought of me as part of your family and not just a fiance,” Logan said. “After all, the wedding is in three days. We’ll be family then. Right, my love?”


    He slid his arm around Emery’s waist.


    She gave a short, awkwardugh and nodded. “Right.”


    Her eyes flicked toward her grandmother, looking for any kind of reaction.


    ON-70%曲


    In response, Mary gave a tightugh of her own. “Well,” she said. “We should continue this discussion


    inside.”