Page 79 of His By Contract

“Of course, we’ll need to address the… current situation.” Vincent’s lip curled. “These unfortunate headlines. The boy’s background.” His gaze slid over Georgia once more like she was a stain on his pristine world. “Time and distance solve many problems. Accidents happen every day.”

A spike of cold ran through her as Adrian’s voice sliced through the air, each syllable carved with cold purpose. “You’re right about one thing, Vincent. Accidents do happen. Strange how cleanly the car failed. The mechanic said it was like the steering gave out intentionally—right at the turn near Alderwood.”

Vincent’s Italian leather shoes whispered against the carpet as he shifted. His lips twisted into that signature sneer she’d seen countless times in financial magazines, the one that spoke of old money and older contempt. “If it had been handled properly, it wouldn’t have made it as far as Alderwood.”

The temperature in the room plummeted. Georgia’s blood rushed in her ears, each thundering beat marking the weight of Vincent’s fatal mistake.

Adrian remained motionless, and Georgia recognized that deadly stillness, like a viper waiting to strike. His voice maintained that silken quality that always preceded his most ruthless moves. “Handled properly? Interesting. The official report never mentioned the turn at Alderwood. You seem unusually familiar with the exact spot where the steering failed.”

Something dark flickered across Vincent’s eyes before his features smoothed into that practiced aristocratic mask. The muscle in his jaw jumped, betraying a crack in his composure. He released a short, dismissive breath that didn’t quite hide the tension in his shoulders. “You always were imaginative, Adrian. Careful where you point that imagination. Some accusations come with consequences.”

The threat hung in the air, sharp as a blade. Georgia felt Adrian’s fingers brush his cufflink, the movement so natural it appeared unconscious. Her peripheral vision caught shadows shifting beyond the doorway, dark suits gliding with clockwork efficiency.

Vincent leaned back in his chair, satisfaction softening his features as he interpreted Adrian’s continued silence as submission. “You’ve finally learned, haven’t you. The Adler name demands certain sacrifices. Certain… eliminations.”

Georgia kept her face carefully blank as she noticed the smallest change in Adrian’s expression, a flash of something cold and dangerous in his eyes. But Vincent, drunk on his perceived victory, missed it entirely. He was too busy detailing Theo’s future, each word another brick in the wall he planned to build between Georgia and her son.

Vincent’s lips curved in a thin smile, satisfaction dripping from every word. “The family estate has excellent security. Nounauthorized visitors, no… unfortunate influences.” His gaze cut through Georgia like she was less than nothing. “The boy will learn his place in the dynasty.”

The door opened.

“I believe we’re discussing roles, Mr. Adler.” Chief Inspector Langford’s crisp British accent sliced through the room. “Yours, specifically, will be rather confined for the foreseeable future.”

Vincent’s fingers tightened imperceptibly, but his expression remained carved from marble. He didn’t even turn his head as officers positioned themselves around his chair. “Whatever game you think you’re playing?—”

“Tax evasion. Money laundering through shell companies in the Cayman Islands.” Langford’s polished shoes clicked against hardwood as he approached. “Conspiracy to commit vehicular homicide. The targeting of a minor child.” He placed a thick folder on the table. “Your associate was quite forthcoming.”

Blood drained from Vincent’s face, leaving his skin waxy under the chandelier light. His knuckles whitened against the chair’s arms as photographs spilled across the mahogany table: surveillance shots, bank statements, transcripts of damning conversations.

“You dare.” Vincent’s voice dropped to arctic temperatures. His eyes locked onto Adrian, hatred crystallizing in their depths. “You orchestrated this? Your own blood?”

Georgia watched Vincent’s face transform, aristocratic composure cracking to reveal something ancient and venomous beneath. His stare fixed on Adrian like a serpent’s, cold calculation replacing his earlier satisfaction. The shift sent a chill down her spine. Even in defeat, Vincent emanated danger.

But Adrian remained unshaken, a steadying anchor at her side. His face remained impassive as officers moved forward with handcuffs, neither gloating nor speaking. The click of metal against Vincent’s wrists echoed through the room.

As Vincent rose, his shoulders straight despite the restraints, Georgia felt years of accumulated fear begin to dissolve. The man who’d threatened her son, who’d wielded his power like a blade against her family, was being led away in chains. His carefully constructed world of influence and control crumbled with each step toward the door.

The room settled into silence after Vincent’s departure. The crushing force that Vincent carried with him had drifted away like smoke. Georgia’s shoulders relaxed as she released a long breath.

Adrian’s fingers found hers, his touch gentler than usual. The warmth of his hand grounded her in the moment, in the reality of their victory. She glanced up to find his eyes on her, satisfaction glinting in their depths. No words were needed—Vincent’s reign was finished.

The living room at her mother’s house lay quiet, shadows stretching across the hardwood floor like ink spilled from an overturned bottle. The couch seemed to pull her in, her body sinking with the kind of exhaustion that came only after surviving something unthinkable.

The floor creaked softly as Adrian entered. He took up the space with a gentleness she hadn’t seen in weeks, his shoulders relaxed, the hard lines of anger melted from his face. He driftedacross the floor and lowered himself onto the cushion next to her, his thigh pressing against hers as he sank into the couch. His hand found hers, fingers sliding between her own.

Georgia looked down at their joined hands, watching as tremors ran through her fingers despite Adrian’s steady grip. The adrenaline was wearing off, leaving behind a bone-deep weariness mixed with something lighter, the first taste of true freedom. She lifted her gaze to his face, searching for confirmation that this wasn’t just another temporary victory.

Adrian’s fingers tightened around hers, warm and sure. “It’s over,” he said, his voice low but carrying absolute certainty. “Vincent’s done. Our family’s future is our own.”

The breath Georgia had been holding rushed out, her shoulders dropping as days of accumulated tension began to unwind. Adrian had done more than just stop Vincent—he’d shattered the power structure that had threatened their family. The fear that had lived in her chest since that first circling car began to loosen, making space for something new: hope, cautious but growing stronger with each passing moment.

Adrian pulled her closer, his lips brushing her temple with a gentleness that made her breath catch. “We’re safe now.” The words settled into Georgia’s bones, carrying the weight of truth she’d been afraid to believe. She sank against him, drawing strength from the warmth of his body against hers. The sharp edges of survival softened, making space for something sweeter. Possibility bloomed in her chest like a flower reaching for sunlight.

Night crept through the windows, wrapping the room in velvet shadows. Georgia rested her head on Adrian’s shoulder,breathing in the familiar scent of his cologne. Her mind wandered forward, past the darkness they’d escaped.

Adrian’s thumb traced lazy circles on the back of her hand, the rhythmic motion anchoring her to the present moment. Her thoughts drifted to Theo, his bright eyes and infectious laugh. She could picture him growing tall and strong, carrying himself with his father’s confidence, but tempering it with his own gentle spirit. The warmth in her chest expanded as she imagined building something lasting, not just a business or a name, but a family forged in love rather than obligation.

A faint smile curved Georgia’s lips as possibilities unfurled in her mind like silk ribbons. She felt Adrian’s attention shift, his gaze studying her face with quiet intensity. Meeting his eyes, she let her voice carry the certainty blooming in her chest. “I think I’m ready to start again. My designs—custom work, on my terms.”

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