Page 140 of Jett

I think I’m going to faint. The room erupts into whispers and gasps. I’m afraid to breathe. I don’t want to give away the maelstrom of emotions inside me—happiness, and shock swirl in a sea of disbelief. I feel giddy. Like this isn't real. Like I'm in a dream and I'm scared I'll wake up to cold reality.

Jett Knight just declared his love for me in front of his family, in front of his tyrannical father. My parched mouth turns even drier. I'm going to choke soon if I don't get any water.

Paul leans back in his chair, slow and deliberate, his gaze narrowing. “What are you playing at?”

Jett’s jaw tightens, but his eyes stay locked on mine, steady and unyielding. “I’ve loved Cari for a long time. I’m done hiding it.”

Dex breaks the tension with a low whistle, and walks over. I feel like he’s about to give Jett a bear hug, but shifts back a little, as if he’s remembered where he is. “Well, damn. That’s … cool, brother.” His eyes turn to me and he gives me a smile. An approving smile. Not that I need his approval, but it feels nice. Like he’s on our side. Jett squeezes my hand tighter, and I squeeze it right back.

Zach gets up, grinning as he saunters over. “Yeah, you didn’t have to go fullTitanicdeclaration, but good for you, man.” He pats Jett on the back, and I think he whispers a soft “Hey,” to me. I manage a smile, but feel uneasy on account of the other eyes on me.

This show of support from his brothers gives me a sense of relief for Jett’s sake. ?The Italian Knights exchange intrigued glances. Rio smirks as he leans back in his chair. With his Mafia energy, and jet-black hair swept back to show off his sharp features, it’s clear that he’s enjoying the drama. Matteo casually watches us, looking unfazed and bored. He carries the magnetic charm of a rockstar and looks out of place at this table of suited men. Next to him sits the debonair Enzo, a man of few words. The youngest of the entire bunch, he seems wiser than his years.

Paul claps, slow and mocking. “Well, this is touching. Truly.”

“Let’s sit down,” Jett tells his brothers, his tone firm.

Sit down?

What am I supposed to do? Jett makes his brother shift down a seat, and where he was next to his father, he’s now sitting at the end, with me at his side. The table has only been laid for the seven of them, but I’m so thirsty, I quickly reach for a glass of water and drain it dry, not caring who it belonged to.

“Love doesn’t run empires, Jett. Strategy does. Loyalty. And smart decisions.” His father picks up his utensils and casually continues eating.

Jett’s expression hardens, and under the table, he takes my hand, his grip tightening. “You tried to pay me off. Ten million dollars to marry someone I don’t love. Do you really think that’s loyalty?”

Paul’s face stiffens, his composure slipping.

“Ten million dollars?” Dex cries. “Hell, for that much, I’ll marry her.”

“Oops,” Jett says. “Was that meant to be a secret? Guess what? I’m not for sale. And neither is Cari.”

“But, tenmilliondollars? Just to marry someone, on paper?” Dex seems intrigued by the idea.

“Why don’t you consider it?” Our father asks. “You are the next in line.”

The Italian Knights chuckle amongst themselves. They must find this highly amusing. Then, Rio asks, “Why the hell would you do that—marry someone just for the money?”

Dex shakes his head. “I wouldn’t. I control my future. I don’t have it dictated to me.”

My insides are in freefall now. Not only has Jett declared his love for me, but he’s fighting for us. “Unlike you,” Jett continues, his voice raising, “I hold myself to a higher standard. Love can’t be bought. And fake love? It’s not worth the time or money.”

Paul’s gaze darkens, but he says nothing.

Jett turns to me, his voice softening. “Cari has stood by me through everything. She’s been my anchor, my confidant, my partner in every way that matters. I love her, and I’m not going to let anything—oranyone—come between us.”

Emotion swells in my chest, my throat tightening as I try to hold back tears. This is too much, he didn’t need to do this, in front of them, but I realize in that moment why he did.

He did it for me.

“Isn’t she too young to be a mother to Brooke?” His father’s question riles Jett, because I feel him stiffen beside me.

“She’s amazing with Brooke, but that’s not why I love her. I’m not with her because she serves a function. I’m with her because—” He scoffs. “You wouldn’t understand. All you think about is commodities and how you can benefit. How you can make more millions, even when you already have more than you’ll even need, even if you lived forever.”

He stands up, and instinctively, so do I. We’re still holding hands, and I notice the way Paul Knight’s beady eyes fixate on them. “If you’ll excuse us.” Jett turns to leave.

Dex leans back, smirking. “You’re really leaving? Dinner’s not even over.”

Zach shakes his head. “Bold move, bro.”

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