Page 104 of Say You're Mine

"Yeah, baby," I say, tears burning behind my eyes. "It's me. I'm so sorry, Cara. I'm so fucking sorry for everything."

She makes a sound, half-laugh, half-sob. "Where are you? Are you okay? June, I thought-"

"I know," I cut her off, acutely aware of the seconds ticking away. "I know, and I'm so sorry. I can't explain everything now, but I promise, I'm coming home to you. To both of you."

"June-" There's fear in her voice now, and it kills me. "What's going on? Why did you-"

"I love you," I say, pouring every ounce of feeling into the words. "I love you so much, Cara. You and our baby. Just hold on a little longer, okay? It's almost over."

"June, wait-"

But I can't. Can't bear to hear the pain in her voice, the questions I can't answer. Not yet.

"I love you," I say again, then force myself to hang up.

For a long moment, I just sit there, the phone clutched to my chest like a lifeline. Then, slowly, I look up at Judith.

"Let's finish this," I say, my voice steady despite the storm raging inside me. "Let's bring Elaine down."

Judith nods, a fierce pride in her eyes. "That's my boy," she says softly. "That's my June."

We work through the night, putting the final pieces into place. By morning, we have everything we need. Financial records, witness statements, DNA evidence linking Elaine to the breeding program. It's enough to bury her ten times over.

As the sun rises, painting the sky in shades of pink and gold, I stand at the window of our safe house, looking out over the city. Somewhere out there, Cara is waking up. Touching her belly, feeling our child move beneath her hand.

Soon, I promise silently. Soon, I'll be there with you. Soon, we'll be a family.

"You ready?" Judith asks, coming to stand beside me.

I turn to look at her, at the sister who's stood by me through everything. Who's risked everything to help me bring Elaine down.

"Yeah," I say, a slow smile spreading across my face. "I'm ready."

Together, we walk out of the safe house and into the dawn of a new day. Into a world where Elaine Deveaux is about to learn the true meaning of fear.

Watch out, Mother Dearest. Your prodigal son is coming home.

And this time, I'm not playing by your rules anymore.

Cara's brownstone rose before me, a lighthouse in the darkness, guiding me home to safe harbor. Every fiber of my being screamed to turn back, to stick to the goddamn plan and keep her safe. But I was a man possessed, reason drowned by the siren song of her siren call.

The lock yielded to my touch, muscle memory from a past I'd tried to bury guiding clever fingers. As I eased open the door, Cara's scent hit me like a punch to the gut - jasmine and honey, undercut by that indefinable essence that was pure her. My body reacted viscerally, a Pavlovian response to the woman who owned me, heart and soul.

I ghosted through the house, a wraith in black, identity obscured. Part of me loathed the subterfuge, skulking like a thief in my own home. But the hungry beast in my chest, starved for a taste of her, relished the forbidden thrill.

A whimper floated down from above, faint but unmistakable. I knew those breathy little noises, knew the way she sounded lost in pleasure, desperate for release. The knowledge that she was up there, alone and aching, turned my blood to molten lava.

I shouldn't. God fucking knows I shouldn't. But my feet were moving of their own accord, carrying me to her like a moth to a flame, like an addict to the needle.

The bedroom door stood ajar, moonlight painting a stripe across the floor. I edged closer, muscles coiled tight, breath shallow in my lungs. One look. Just one look, then I'd go, I'd leave her in peace-

The sight of Cara sprawled across our bed punched the air from my chest. Fuck. She was a vision, a goddess, her nightgown rucked up around her hips, one hand moving between her thighs. The other cradled the growing swell of her belly, our baby. She was ripe with secrets, lush with forbidden fruit, and I wanted to devour her whole.

"June," she breathed, my name a broken plea on her lips. "God, June, please..."

My control snapped like a brittle bone. I was across the room in a heartbeat, my hand covering hers, stilling her desperate movements.

Cara's eyes flew open, a scream rising in her throat. I caught it with my palm, my gaze burning into hers, willing her to know me even in the shadows.

---