Page 38 of Sweet Conviction

But he's already there, those strong arms closing around me from behind, pulling my back against the solid wall of his chest.

I choke on a sob, the sound tearing from my throat.

"I can, Tempest. I will," he growls, his breath hot against my ear. "Don't you get it yet? You're my entire fucking world, baby. I love you."

"Dalton," I whimper, his name a plea. Tears spill down my cheeks, hot and shameful. "He's m-my b-best friend."

And he tried to destroy everything.

"I know, baby. I know." His voice gentles, his hold tightening as I shatter in his arms. He turns me to face him, tucking my head beneath his chin.

I burrow into him, violent sobs wracking my frame as I mourn the man I thought I knew. The man trying to destroy everything I have—my marriage, my trust in Dalton, everything.

And god, I almost let him. All this time, all those little seeds of doubt he's been planting have been taking root, growing, sprouting. They turned into bands of poisonous ivy, trying to jerk me from Dalton's arms.

"I'm sorry," I gasp, clinging to Dalton like he's the only thing keeping me from drowning. "I'm so sorry."

He scoops me up effortlessly, cradling me to his chest as he carries me back to the bed. As he lowers us, he shifts me onto his lap.

I bury my face in the crook of his neck, wrecked, guilty.

"Never apologize to me, baby. You've done everything right. This is on me for not getting my head out of my ass sooner, and on him for being a manipulative, selfish prick."

"I'm so stupid," I mumble into his throat, my tears soaking his skin.

He cups my face, tilting my head back to meet his fierce hazel gaze. "No, you're not. It's not stupid to trust the people you love." His thumbs brush my wet cheeks, his expression hardening. "But he isn't fucking touching your company, Tempest. You're mine to protect, my world. I'll burn his to the goddamn ground before I let him hurt you again."

The conviction in his voice and the unyielding steel of his eyes send a shiver racing through me. In this moment, I have no doubt that he would raze everything Triton holds dear to ash and rubble.For me.

Because he loves me. Fiercely, wildly, in a way that steals my breath. Certainty fills me, burning hot as the sun as it brands it's way onto my soul. This man isn't incapable of love. It's been right there all along, beating in his chest like a thing alive.

He loves me. Enough to topple kingdoms and wage war for me.

Triton doesn't get to take that way. This man is mine, and I'm not giving him up. Not today. Not tomorrow. Not ever.

Chapter Ten

Dalton

"Open up, Triton!" I growl, pounding on the door to his hotel room. The sun is barely over the horizon, but I don't fucking care how early it is. Tempest cried half the night, devastated because her goddamn cousin is a manipulative prick. I'm not waiting for the asshole to make a move against her. Fuck that.

Jake and I have been compiling evidence against him for two fucking days. I know everything—the drugs, the women, the gambling. He's in deep with no way out. He thought Evernight would be his ticket. He's fucking wrong. He can crawl out of his hole himself because he isn't touching her company.

He rips the door open, shirtless and bleary-eyed, his hair all fucked up from the pillow. "What the fuck do you want?"

That's as far as I let him get before I grab him by the throat, shoving him back into his room.

"You manipulative son of a bitch," I growl, slamming him up against the wall so hard that a piece of framed art clatters to the floor.

He tries to buck me off, hands scrabbling at my grip, but I'm not having it. I squeeze tighter, watching his face redden.

"Get the fuck off me," he snarls.

I ignore him, not interested in anything he has to say.

"I'm only going to say this once, so listen carefully," I tell him, my voice a low rumble next to his ear. "I live and breathe for your cousin. If you don't want everyone you owe finding out exactly where the fuck you are, don't ever try to come between us again. Evernight belongs to her. Try to take it, and I will destroy you."

"I don't know what the fuck you're talking about," Triton lies, still struggling in my grip.

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