Page 65 of Between Dusk and Dawn

Our connection transcended the physical, stripping away my defenses and revealing my raw, vulnerable self. For the first time, I was open, unguarded, and exposed, just as I had been as a child. Yet now, I was with someone who showed me what protection felt like, even if I was too wrapped up in my own world to realize it.

The complexity of my emotions was a paradox—a simultaneous sense of fear and liberation, knowing I had bared my soul to a man who had the power to either heal or hurt me.

Reality crashed back, and I snapped out of my thoughts. With a deep breath, I lifted my hand to the door handle, my fingers grazing its cool surface. The door creaked open gently, revealing what could only be Walsh’s bedroom.

The bedroom had a modern, cozy vibe, similar to the sleek, clean lines of the little apartment above the barn. The color palette was soothing and understated, creating a calm atmosphere, with tasteful accents adding character. Soft lighting cast a gentle glow, enhancing the tranquility. The minimalist furnishings had a touch of luxury, showing meticulous attention to detail. It was exactly how I imagined Walsh’s bedroom would be.

I grazed a hand over the comforter. Part of me was calmed by knowing this was where he slept.

"My husband," I whispered. Leaning down, I buried my nose in the sheets, taking a deliberate inhale. The subtle scent of crisp pine and the lingering aroma of a crackling bonfire filled my senses. It felt like...home.

Collapsing onto the bed, tears welled in my eyes. I had been foolish, an utter idiot, for not recognizing that fear had been the sole obstacle holding me back. True, he had his fair share of apologies to make, and I wasn't blind to that. I had never allowed anyone to place me second, yet in the past weeks, the realization dawned upon me—everything he did was for me. He sacrificed the foundation of his hard-earned life to gain a little more time with me. For, in the realm of darkness ruled by Walsh Solis, I aspired not to be a mere consort, but his equal—his queen.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Isat in my hotel room, watching Enzo talk to her. She stormed upstairs, hesitating at my door before she threw it open and jumped into bed. When she leaned down to cry into the sheets, it struck me—I had never seen her so vulnerable, except when we had sex. She looked like a child who needed protection, yet she was all alone.

I could have been home in an hour on our jet, dropped to my knees, apologized, and finally kissed her. But I was terrified. Despite my reputation as the big bad wolf, I feared what the tugging in my chest meant. I was scared that my carefully controlled world would unravel. For years, I tried to control the uncontrollable around her. But seeing her like that, I knew I was screwed.

Yet, I was here, hiding out in my self-imposed fortress, terrified of facing my own unraveling.

My phone rang and my sister’s name flashed on the screen. This wasn’t the first time she’d called, which likely meant she talked to Dad about the news. I pressed ignore, not in any mood to talk to her.

Seconds later, Rain’s name popped up on my buzzing screen.

I grabbed the phone and answered it. "Hello, Ember."

I knew my sister’s tricks even though she thought I was ignorant to them. "You answer when Rain calls you, but not for me?"

"Get to it, Ember. I know why you're calling." I sighed, leaning back on the oversized chair inside my room at the Four Seasons in Seattle. The weather was about as gloomy as I felt inside.

"You got fucking married?" She squealed so loudly into the phone I had to pull it away from my ear.

"Yup." I was hoping my father hadn’t revealed who my bride was.

"To who?" And there it was. She had no idea. Thank fucking God.

"To a girl from college."

"Keeping secrets again?" my sister retorted, her tone going icy. A long time ago, my sister was dating someone who vowed me to silence until his death. He had planned on giving Ember his entire estate, bypassing his father who was the head of the Cartel. Before he passed away, he gave me all the documents to make sure Ember eventually got them, but I couldn’t tell Ember until she figured the puzzle out herself. I did as he asked, knowing it was important to keep her safe, but it almost cost us our relationship, so this was a low blow.

"No, Ember. I am just not ready to share her identity. There is a lot of stuff going on with the business that I need to take care of before I feel comfortable enough to deal with it." I had rehearsed this line over and over again, so when I finally told her, it came naturally.

"Dad said you're in Seattle and that I’d get to meet her after the holidays."

"That’s correct," I answered. Thank God for my dad not spoiling shit, knowing it would cause a big rift.

"But Christmas Eve is tomorrow. Will you be home by then?" I rubbed my temples. This was also something I’d thought of. My meeting wasn't until after the twenty-fifth, but I didn’t want to be home, unsure of what to do or say to Madison, so I chose to stay out here.

"I don't know, Ember. I am in Seattle trying to deal with…business." I huffed. My sister still was so naive when it came to the inner workings of our family. My dad granted her immunity to leave the business, but that meant shutting her out of a lot of conversations she couldn’t be privy to for her safety and ours.

"That’s fucked up. She’s all alone over at your house. Maybe I’ll stop by?—"

"No!" I sat up straighter in my seat. "You are to absolutely not go over to the house. You will not be allowed in to bombard her with your questions."

"I will not?—"

"You absolutely will. Even with your immense kindness, Ember, some people need a little space. She needs a little space, please respect me enough to give it to her." My voice quieting at the end so she knew I was serious.

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