Page 37 of Kissed and Missed

“I understand if you would like my employment contract to be terminated. If that is the case, I request you allow me to stay on until a new firm is in place, so there are no gaps in your safety.” His expression is wooden, a man determined to take whatever is coming his way, no matter how little he likes it.

“Grey.” I laugh weakly, still thrown off by the news. “I ignored you when you told me to give you twenty-four hours to get ready for this trip. It’s on me. You did your best with what you had given the circumstances.”

He looks reluctant to accept this, but nods tightly, his eyes turning to Honor. “I’m sorry, Miss Vogel. Truly. I’ve developedseveral new systems which will be implemented team-wide to close gaps such as these. If you have any concerns about your personal safety in my?—”

“I have no concerns,” she interrupts him, looking a little startled at his words. Her hold on my hand tightens. “People make mistakes. I know you wouldn’t allow that to happen again.”

His chin lifts, and with a sharp nod, he starts for the door. It’s only when his hand is resting on the knob that he pauses, looking back at us. “Your legal team wanted me to ask if you wanted to pursue legal action. Against the maid.”

Now, it’s my turn to look to Honor. “It’s your decision, Valentine.”

She doesn’t need time to think about it. “No.” A tight smile pulls at the corners of her lips. “No, I don’t want to do that.”

I can’t say I’m surprised.

“We need to get downstairs,” I remind her gently, and she nods. The two of us follow Grey out into the living area, where most of the staff is packing up, and Honor’s sister and friend are preparing to leave. Both of them were invited tonight but declined. Sophie mentioned something about a Valentine’s Day date with their father. Leni told us she would rather chew rocks than put on a dress.

“I’m sorry I haven’t been around the last few days,” Honor tells her sister, who is fitting her crutches under her arms. “Things should be dying down now.”

Lenora waves her off. “Don’t worry about it. I’m doing better. Onward and upward, right?” Her wry smile doesn’t reach her eyes. “You can’t put your life on hold because I fucked up mine.”

Honor’s expression falls. “You didn’t fuck up your life, Len. You got hurt.”

Lenora ignores her, already heading toward the door with Sophie on her heels. “You look gorgeous!” calls the latter, waving at us as they duck out the door and out of sight.

“Are you ready?” I ask, turning my gaze back to the stunning woman at my side, my heart thudding unevenly as she turns her eyes to meet mine, smiling in her soft, reassuring way that always seems to remove my doubts or worries.

“I’m ready,” Honor confirms, curling her hand over my arm. With her wearing heels like this, we’re nearly the same height, and I smile when we take our first step toward the door and she wobbles slightly, her hold on me tightening.

She makes a face. “If I trip and fall in front of everyone at that gala, you have my permission to buy an island for me to hide out on until the end of time.”

“I already own an island,” I report promptly, “so we can leave immediately.”

The woman on my arm sighs heavily, shaking her head. “I’ll take unnecessary purchases for ten million?—”

I chuckle, leading the way out into the hall, which is empty apart from several members of my security staff. “Maybe I’ll have to sell it. I’ve recently entered into a relationship, and she’s exceptionally expensive. Fifteen million for one date, can you imagine?”

“She sounds like a gold digger,” Honor replies, not missing a beat as she hits the elevator button.

Have I ever been this happy? After a lifetime of doing what I thought was right, it seems so clear now that there is a tremendous difference between thinking and knowing, and right now,I know. This woman is my future. I’m going to marry her, make a family with her, and someday, when I die, I’ll know I contributed something to humanity beyond several tech companies.

We step into the elevator, and a quick glance at Honor confirms her expression is still relaxed. Though I’m nearer, I let her hit the button that will take us to the hotel lobby.

“I love you,” I tell her, feeling so full as the floor beneath our feet starts to move.

Honor looks over at me, and the hand she still has on my arm tightens briefly, a show of reassurance. She isn’t afraid. “I love you too.”

When the doors to the elevator slide open with a gentle chime, the photographers waiting on the other side greet us in a flurry of camera flashes. There’s no going back now.

22

HONOR

I’ve never had this many eyes on me.

The ballroom is packed with people I’ve only ever seen on the news or on the magazine rack while waiting in line at the grocery store, and every one of them wants to talk to Julian.

He keeps his hand on the small of my back, guiding me deeper into the room, shaking hands, and making polite small talk with the assembled guests.

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