Page 141 of Emergence and Ascendance

When she was gone, Alex frowned at me, looking concerned. "Is my sister okay?"

"She's good. Better than good actually." The smugness of my voice had his brows slamming in and his jaw tightening. "I'm here because I'm in love with your sister."

He grunted and leaned back in his chair, lifted his glass, and tossed back what was left. "I hope like hell you're not here asking me if you can marry her."

I smiled arrogantly. "No, I'm not, but only because I don't ask for permission. Whatever I want is mine, and if I want to give Scot my last name, that will happen with or without your approval."

Alex glared at me like he was calculating how hard he would have to swing to reach me across the table but I decided to ease his mind.

"But the point is, I respect your position in her life. So I'm here to let you know she's good with me. I'm giving you my word as a man,herman, that she comes first. There's nothing she wants or desires that I won't provide or make happen."

"That's very ambitious considering you barely even know her."

"I know her better than her own fucking family. Trust me when I say she's good with me. Scot loves you, so I'm going todo my part and be respectful with how I deal with you, but if you want to complicate shit? Then we can go that route too.”

The server approached with my drink, placed it on the table, and hurried away. I lifted the glass and enjoyed the smooth blend. I leaned back in my chair before I continued.

"The last time I was here, things were tense because of the stuff going down with your father. Timing wasn't great but the sentiment is still the same. I figured since I was in town, I should at least pull up to meet with you on better terms, but please be clear… Whether you trust me with your sister or not, nothing with us is changing. Scot is happy, in a good place, and I'm the reason for a lot of that."

"I don't trust you but I also know my sister. If she wasn't happy, she wouldn't be with you. Regardless of how I feel, she does what the fuck she wants. I'll stay out of the way… unless I feel like you're a problem."

I smirked and nodded. "I respect that."

"I also hope you can respect that I have no moral compass when it comes to my family. I can't stop her from wanting you, but if you hurt my sister, I will fucking end you, Devereaux."

I smiled cockily. "I fuck with that because it seems like we understand each other more than you think. I just had a similar conversation about my sister."

I extended a hand across the table and Alex glared at it for a minute before he accepted. We shook on the fact that we would drop bodies for the ones we loved.

I stood, removed cash from my pocket, and tossed it on the table. "I have a plane to catch, drinks are on me."

“Your loyalty to my sister better be on you too or we’re going to have a problem.”

I nodded, amused. "The last thing you need to worry about is my loyalty to Scot. I worship her in ways you don’t want to know about."

Alex's glare intensified but I only laughed, tossed my chin, and walked away from the table. I left Meridian knowing we were in a decent place. He still didn't trust me with Scotlyn but understood being with me was her decision to make, not his. As long as we could agree to disagree, things would be good.

An hour later, I was back on my jet heading home. In the middle of checking emails, a text came through from Scotlyn that had me growling my annoyance and ready to tell the damn pilot to find a shortcut. She was naked in my bed holding the camera over her body, providing a clear view of what I left this morning. She was also next to the bouquet of roses I left in my absence. I had them delivered the night before and kept them tucked away until this morning. A few seconds later, a response followed.

Scotlyn: The roses are beautiful but I would have rather woken up to your mouth on me instead…

Me: Had something to take care of, unavoidable. I’ll make it up to you.

Scotlyn: Good because I woke up alone. You owe me.

I smirked as I responded.

Me: Your best friend is there.

Scotlyn: She is but she also doesn't know how to make me cum, and since you denied me last night, I'm not a happy girl.

Me: You came in the shower last night.

Scotlyn: With my hands not yours!

Me: You know the rules. When we play, you have to be fully aware. You enjoyed your evening but with one too many drinks.

Scotlyn: I wasn't drunk.

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