Page 67 of Ivory Legacy

The last comment hung heavy in the air, its implications lingering as everyone fell into a quiet contemplation. Jade’s hand in mine felt electric, the current of her anxiety radiating through her grip.

“We—,” Jade began, but stopped short, as if the words were clogged in her throat. She took a deep breath, her eyes flickering briefly in my direction before she turned to face Enzo with renewed resolve. “We’re still figuring things out,” she said finally, her voice steady despite the tremor in her hand.

“A wedding takes a while to plan, so you can have one after you give birth to my grandson,” Enzo said pointedly. “That way, you won’t have to worry about being exhausted during the day, finding a wedding gown to hide your body or, of course, drinking. Wedding days are meant to be fun.”

The words hung in the air like the low growl of thunder before a storm, quiet but ominous. I felt Jade stiffen next to me, her hand gripping mine tighter beneath the table. I could see the wheels turning in her head as she weighed her response. She had always been one for measured reactions, for finding the right words at the right time.

“Dad,” I cut in, my tone steady despite the tension knotting my stomach. “Your generosity is appreciated, truly. But let’s not rush into anything. We’re still navigating this...new situation.”

He waved me off, his smile never faltering. “We won’t be rushing. How long will it take to book a venue? To plan everything?”

“Given the circumstance, perhaps we should discuss this at a later date,” Jade ventured, her voice equal parts calm and firm. I had to admire her resilience in the face of Enzo’s overbearing presence.

“We have plenty of time,” she continued, offering Enzo a placating smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Right now, let’s just enjoy the meal. Have a good conversation, get to know each other better. We don’t want to be overwhelmed by planning a wedding before we’ve properly toasted to our first meeting.”

A murmur of agreement passed through the table. Enzo fixed Jade with a scrutinizing gaze, his icy eyes searching her face forany indication of deceit. After a tense moment, he nodded and reclined in his chair.

“Very well,” he conceded grudgingly. The edge in his voice didn’t escape anyone’s notice. “But let’s not forget what we’re celebrating here—a grandchild for me, and life anew for all of us.”

My heart pounded in my chest at his words—so heavy with expectation while teetering on a precipice of uncertainty. I could feel Jade’s unease as if it were my own, her hand still clasped tightly around mine under the table.

“Indeed,” Jade agreed, her measured tone a lifeline amidst the sudden swell of tension. “There’s much to be thankful for in the moment.”

“Here’s to the moment,” Tom chimed in, raising his glass with a cheer that seemed to chase away the shadows creeping at the edges of our gathering.

“To the moment,” we echoed, a chorus of glasses meeting in the center of the table, the sparkle of crystal momentarily blinding us to the unspoken questions and unwritten futures.

But when I met Jade’s gaze, I could see how afraid she was.

And that scared the shit out of me.

Chapter Thirty-Three: Jade

Isank into the plush leather of Dante’s couch, my mind still reeling from the evening’s events. We hadn’t had any time to talk, and now that we did…I had no idea where to start.

Luckily, Dante seemed to have some idea.

“I’m sorry about my father,” he said, his voice a low rumble that resonated through the quiet room. “He can be...difficult. I don’t want you to think I’m anything like him.”

Well, that was an understatement. But looking into Dante’s earnest eyes, I saw none of the cold tyranny that his father wielded like a weapon. “I know you’re not,” I assured him, finding truth in the gentle concern etched across his face.

“Are your parents okay with the hotel?” he asked, shifting closer so our knees brushed.

I pulled out my phone, showing him the message from my sister. “They’ve checked in. They’re safe.” He nodded, his expression unreadable as he processed the information.

The silence stretched between us, filled with unspoken questions and the weight of decisions yet made. “I still don’t know what to do, Dante,” I finally admitted as I tucked a strand of dark hair behind my ear. The BioHQ stocks were tempting—a token of security in the unstable world I’d stumbled into. And if it hadn’t been for Dante’s dad, well, I might have been more inclined to marry him. “I need more time to think.”

He nodded, his gaze steady on mine, and I could see the wheels turning behind those intense, dark eyes. “Take all the time you need, Jade. Whether it’s the stocks or...marrying me,” he paused, his voice barely concealing the hope that lingered there. “I’ll be here, and I’ll support whatever decision you make.” His hand found mine, strength and warmth enveloping my fingers.

“Thank you,” I whispered, grateful for the space he offered in the eye of a storm that was both of our lives. It was a rare calm, a momentary respite from the chaos that seemed to chase us relentlessly. “Dante, tell me you’re scared too.”

He pulled me close, his arms a fortress against the uncertainty. “Terrified,” he admitted, and in that instant, his voice cracked the strongman facade, revealing the vulnerable soul beneath. “I’ve seen too much, lost too much. And now, with you and...” His gaze drifted downward, resting on my barely-there bump, the future we never planned for.

“Jade,” Dante continued, his voice heavy with a gravity that sent shivers through me, not from fear but from the weight of his words. “If something happens to me—if we’re married—you andour son will inherit everything. It’s not just about love; it’s about protection.”

“Stop.” My hand pressed against his lips, stilling the cascade of worries. “Nothing is going to happen to you.” The conviction in my voice surprised even me, a defiance against a fate I refused to accept.

“You don’t know that,” he said, his voice low, almost a growl of protest. It was a reality check I didn’t want, a reminder that the world outside this room was cruel and unpredictable.

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