Page 165 of Guarded King

And she never once looked at Dad the way she looks at Miles. Like she loves him, like she trusts him to love her back, to protect her from the hurts the world can sometimes inflict.

“We are,” I reply. “It’s been a long time coming, but it’s fully sold. We can’t ask for more than that.”

“The groundbreaking on the London Genesis-1 is happening next month too,” Cole says.

“We’ll have to get those VR units sent over quickly, then.” Tate smirks.

“How about you, Violet?” I ask. “Are you ready to expand True Brew internationally?”

She laughs, her eyes dancing. “Not sure I’m quite there yet. Let’s see how things go with two shops to begin with.”

Chloe has gone quieter, though her demeanor is relaxed and her expression is serene. I lay my arm along the back of her chair and run my fingers across her bare shoulder. She startles a little, but no one else around the table blinks an eye.

Being openly affectionate is new for both of us. Even with Katherine, I never behaved this way. Everything about this relationship is different. I’m beyond grateful that Katherine and I didn’t last, and now I can see why I had no desire to commit to anyone else in the years after the divorce. It was because I was waiting for this.

I was waiting forher.

“How’s your father doing, Chloe?” Mom asks. “I adore the painting Roman bought for King Plaza. I thought I might like something similar for the house. Has he started taking commissions?”

Chloe lights up the way she always does when she talks about her dad and his art. “He’s doing really well. He’s been sketching a lot, and just this week, he started his first painting. It’s slow going for now because he hasn’t done it for so long, and he has to make sure he doesn’t push himself too hard. But he’s so happy. I’m not sure when he’ll be ready to take commissions, but I can tell him you’re interested.”

“Please do.” Mom smiles, her normally piercing eyes warm.

Violet leans forward, head tilted. “And what about your own painting?”

When I had Chloe’s dad’s piece hung in the lobby of King Plaza, I told my brothers what it meant to me, and I may have mentioned Chloe’s own aspirations. Apparently, at least Tate has passed that on.

I raise my brow at him, and in return, he gives me an unapologetic grin.

Chloe doesn’t seem bothered, though. “I’ve done a couple of pieces recently, but I’m rustier than my dad.” Her carefree laugh ripples over me. “I’m hoping to eventually find an apartment with a space with natural light that I can dedicate to painting.”

I tense. Before now, she hasn’t mentioned moving. I have some serious thoughts about that. But I’ll have to wait until after lunch to broach the topic.

“You know,” my almost sister-in-law says. “I’ve started featuring local artists on the walls of True Brew. I’d love to display some of your work once you’re ready.”

“Really?” Chloe’s cheeks turn pink. “That would be amazing. Although I’ll need more practice before I’ll have something worthy of showing anyone.”

“Of course. Just let me know when you want to go ahead, and we’ll make it happen.”

As lunch continues on, I sit back and drink in the moment. For the first time I can remember, I’m completely relaxed while being surrounded by my whole family. There’s no distance, no resentment, no regret. Mom, Cole, Tate, me—we’re all exactly where we should be, with people we actually want to be with.

Chloe’s words come back to me. Shared blood may mean two people are related, but love is what makes a family. We may not say it out loud—and in some cases it may even be layered under years of neglect—but right now, I feel it. Love binds this family together.

She also said that love means doing what needs to be done, even if it’s hard. Even if it’s giving up something important.

She was right about that too. Giving up my obsession with proving myself different from—better than—Dad was as easy as opening my hand and letting go. Because I couldn’t hold on to her while holding on to it.

I wrap my fingers around the back of Chloe’s neck and when she turns to me, her warm, bright expression heats my whole body. She mouthsI love you, the silent words powerful enough to still my heart.

Somehow, despite all my past mistakes, I have her. I never believed another person could make me smile or laugh or show me what true happiness feels like the way she has. I’ve spent my whole life keeping people at a distance, guarding my heart. But she breached my defenses without even trying.

There was never any guarding against her.

CHAPTER SIXTY

CHLOE

Roman’s quiet as he drives back to his place from Westchester.

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