Page 10 of Unholy Nights

He might have the audacity to eye fuck my stepdaughter, but he’s not stupid enough to return to Madeline without removing any trace of evidence of his misstep.

Or maybe he really is that stupid. Either way, I’ll deal with him soon enough.

“We exchanged pleasantries,” I say, sounding as bored as I feel, pushing away from the wall to close the distance between us. “It wasn’t exactly the time or place for deep conversation.”

Madeline raises an eyebrow, clearly pleased with herself, her power. She thinks her success is in prying information from me when, all along, I’ve been withholding far more than she will ever understand.

“Well, be careful.” Her voice softens, dropping into that fake sweet tone, something close to an order creeping through, though none of Madeline’s orders work on me. Or maybe it’s a warning. “He likes to play with his food.”

A laugh almost escapes me. She’s warning me aboutEmmitt? The mid-at-best businessman hanging around begging for ascrap of her attention when the real danger is me? I’ve been the only one she’s ever needed to watch out for. But like every other idiot, she’s been too wrapped up in her ambition and self-obsession to see the truth hiding in her own home.

I cover a grin with another shrug. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

Just as I’m about to make an excuse to get the hell out of here, my phone vibrates in my pocket. I slide it out, glancing at the screen, and I suck in a sharp breath when I see what popped up—a notification from the app. The one I’ve been using to track Emerald’s cycle.

Ovulation window begins today.

A dark surge of arousal and satisfaction rush through me that I can barely contain. I refuse to let Madeline see even a hint of emotion on my face, but I have to dig my nails into my palm to keep from reacting.

Emerald’s ready—herbodyis ready for me. For what I have planned.

For our child.

Perfect timing, right when everything else is falling into place. I slide the phone back into my pocket, biting back the urge to let the smirk spread across my face in front of Madeline.

“Something important?” she asks, focused on me like if she glares hard enough, she can rip the information straight out of my brain. She’s always prying. Always trying to find leverage, even when she’s clueless.

“Business,” I say, already stepping back. Before she can respond, I retreat quickly down the hallway, heading toward my office. The excuse couldn’t have come at a better time. I’ve got a mountain of work, but my preoccupation with Emerald has taken priority, so I need to play catch up.

The click of the lock behind me is a small relief. I let out a slow breath, my mind still buzzing with that notification. With what I plan to do tonight.

I lean back against the door for a second, letting out a long exhale as I finally let go of the tension that's been gripping me since I left that damn boutique.

Paying off the household staff to report on Emerald’s cycle had been one of my better moves. Discreet inquiries, generous payouts—ensuring that I’d always know exactly when her body was primed and ready. Each update fed into my app, allowing me to keep meticulous track. All that planning, all that patience, and now it’s finally paying off.

There are no prying eyes here in my office. No interruptions while I finalize my plans. I’m careful to scan for recording devices and cameras every time I step foot in here, and this time is no exception. I wouldn’t put it past Madeline to plant them and spy on me, but this is my sanctuary. I may allow her to think she’s in control of many aspects of my life, but this isn’t one of them.

After the scan comes up clear, I pour myself a drink and move to the window, watching as Madeline’s lackeys set up her precious photoshoot on our snow-covered lawn.

I do a quick scan for Emerald, but she’s not outside yet.

For now, maybe I can have a minute to gather my thoughts.

I sink into my chair, resolving to get some work done, but it’s not long before my mind is drifting toward my pretty little stepdaughter again.

Toward what I plan to do tonight to tie her to me forever.

It’s not hard to picture her in my bed, her dark hair tangled on my pillow. Or round and growing our children. Looking up at me with those wide, innocent eyes of hers like I’m the sun her world spins around.

Emerald’s face flashes in my mind: standing in the boutique earlier today, unaware—fartoounaware—of how easily she could have been tainted. The way she fidgeted with the sleeve of her tight sweater dress, biting on her lip as Emmitt’s gazecrawled all over her. Emmitt is an idiot, but he’s not oblivious. He knows how special she is. How pure.

She’s a beacon drawing all the monsters toward her.

I’m the worst monster of them all.

This thing between us… it’s inevitable. The gift I’m giving both of us this Christmas. And despite every shred of self-control I’ve cultivated over my lifetime, it's slipping. The need to possess her feels dangerous in a way nothing else ever has. It’s getting out of hand, building every single day, and the patience I’ve always relied on—my weapon, my shield—is fraying, stretched impossibly thin.

Tonight, I’m going to let the thread snap and take what’s always belonged to me.

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