Page 91 of Temptation and Tyranny

Cooper helped me to my feet, keeping his body between me and my father. But when my father approached, his gun was already holstered.

“Allegra,” he said softly, looking older than I’d ever seen him. “I know I have no right to ask for your forgiveness. What I did...using you against Cooper...it was unforgivable.”

“Then why did you do it?” I demanded, tears threatening to spill over.

“Because I let greed run my life. And maybe, I thought I was protecting you from men like Cooper.” He glanced at Cooper, something like respect in his eyes. “But I was wrong. He came for you. Risked everything to save you. That’s more than I can say for myself.”

Cooper’s arm tightened around me. “What happens now?”

My father straightened his jacket, ever the businessman, even in this moment. “Now, I step back. You clearly love my daughter, Mr. Moreau. And she loves you. Who am I to stand in the way of that?”

“Just like that?” Cooper asked, disbelief coloring his tone.

“Just like that,” my father confirmed. “But know this, Cooper Moreau—if you ever hurt her, if you ever put her in danger again...” He let the threat hang in the air. “Learn from me—don’t let your quest for power ruinthe best things in life. It might be too late for me—but hopefully not for you.”

“I understand,” Cooper said quietly. “But you should know—I’d die before I let anything happen to her.”

My father nodded, seemingly satisfied. “Then we have an understanding.” He turned to go, then paused. “Allegra...if you ever need anything...”

“I know,” I said, surprised to find I meant it. He wasn’t a good man, my father, but he was still my father. And tonight, at least, he had chosen me over business.

We watched as he and his men melted back into the shadows, leaving us alone in the aftermath of the chaos. In the distance, sirens were beginning to wail.

“We need to move,” Colton urged, appearing beside us. “Local authorities will be here soon.”

Cooper nodded, pulling me close. “Let’s go home.”

The ride back to the city was a blur. I drifted in and out of sleep, the adrenaline crash and days of captivity finally catching up with me. Cooper never left my side, his hand holding mine, his thumb tracing soothing circles on my skin.

When we finally arrived at Cooper’s home, I was barely aware of being carried inside and brought up the elevator, and then laid gently on a bed. Cooper’s voice was a low murmur, reassuring me that I was safe, that he wouldn’t leave me.

I wanted to stay awake, to talk to him, to sort through the tangled mess of emotions that his rescue had stirred up. But exhaustion won out, and I slipped into a deep, dreamless sleep.

When I woke, sunlight was streaming throughthe windows. For a moment, panic gripped me when I didn’t immediately recognize my surroundings. Then the events of the past days came rushing back, and I relaxed. I was safe. Cooper had come for me.

Speaking of Cooper, I realized he was asleep in a chair next to the bed, his hand still holding mine. He looked exhausted, dark circles under his eyes and several days’ worth of stubble on his jaw. But he was here, and that was all that mattered.

As if sensing my gaze, Cooper stirred, his eyes fluttering open. When they focused on me, relief flooded his features.

“Hey,” he said softly, squeezing my hand. “How are you feeling?”

“Like I’ve been hit by a truck,” I admitted, my voice hoarse. “But alive. Thanks to you.”

Cooper’s expression darkened. “Don’t thank me, Allegra. This was all my fault. If I hadn’t pushed you away, if I’d just listened to you...”

I shook my head, wincing at the pain the sudden movement caused. “Stop. You can’t blame yourself for Viktor’s actions.”

“But I can blame myself for leaving you vulnerable,” Cooper insisted. “I thought I was protecting you by pushing you away, but all I did was put you in more danger.”

I could see the guilt gnawing at his insides, and my heart ached for him. “Cooper, listen to me. You came for me. You saved me. That’s what matters now.”

He looked at me for a long moment, his eyes searching mine. “How can you not hate me? After everything I said, everything I did...”

“Because I love you, you idiot!” I cried, surprisedby my own boldness. “I’ve loved you since...God, I don’t even know when. And yes, you hurt me. But you also risked everything to save me. That has to count for something, right?”

Cooper’s eyes widened, a mix of hope and disbelief on his face. “You...you still love me? Even after all this?”

I nodded, feeling suddenly vulnerable. “I do. But Cooper, if we’re going to do this—really do this—there can’t be any more lies. No more forcing me away because you think it’s for my own good. We’re in this together, or not at all.”

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