Page 114 of Royal Deception
Liam leans forward, brows furrowing. “And Aleksey… he agreed?”
I nod, my gaze hardening as I recall the conversation. “Reluctantly, yeah. He knew I wasn’t bluffing anymore. But here’s the kicker—he told me that Callie’s stalker had nothing to do with the Russians. Apparently, he was one of their former men. They’d sent him away when his mental health became too unstable. He’s been fixated on Callie ever since, and it’s all been of his own accord.”
Clary’s hand finds mine again, squeezing tight as she listens, her face a mask of concern. “So… they didn’t have anything to do with it?” she asks, her voice tight with the weight of the truth.
I shake my head. “No. But it doesn’t make him any less dangerous. I’ll take whatever I can get, and we’ll deal with this bastard ourselves.” I glance at Lucky and Liam. “This isn’t over. Not by a long shot.”
Liam's face hardens. "No way in hell we let that guy go free now."
Lucky nods in agreement. "Not a chance."
Clary looks between us, eyes wide, as if finally processing everything that’s happened in one go. "What does this mean for me? For Callie?" Her voice is quieter now, vulnerable, and I feel a pang of guilt for all the chaos she's been pulled into.
"It means we’re keeping our eyes open," I reply, my tone firm but reassuring. "We’re not going to let our guard down. And we’ll get to the bottom of this stalker mess. But right now, the focus is on making sure you're safe and that no one gets to hurt you again."
I pull her closer, needing the reassurance that she’s still here, still with me. There’s so much left to handle, but for now, I just need her in my arms.
Clary looks up at me, her eyes filled with both awe and something else—something I’m not sure I deserve. “You werereally willing to burn everything down for me?” she asks, her voice barely a whisper.
I don’t hesitate. “I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you and the baby safe. You’re mine, Clary. And nothing, not even Aleksey, is going to change that.”
I look at Lucky and Liam, my expression softening as I gesture to the door. “You two can give us a minute. I need some time alone with Clary.”
Lucky raises an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at his lips. “Oh, sure. Because you’ve been so subtle about how you feel.”
Liam chuckles under his breath. “Yeah, wasn’t it just a few days ago you were telling us there was nothing going on?”
I roll my eyes, but I can’t help the smile that pulls at my lips. “I was an idiot. Now get out before I throw you out.”
They both laugh, stepping back. “Glad you’re alright, Rory,” Lucky says, his voice softening just a bit. “We’ll be around if you need anything.”
Liam claps me on the shoulder. “Take care of her, Bro. And, uh, don't make us come in here to kick your ass later, alright?”
I grin at them, but they’re already heading for the door. “Get out of here,” I call after them. “I mean it.”
With a final chuckle and a nod of relief, they leave, closing the door behind them.
The apartment is quiet again, and I turn back to Clary, my heart hammering in my chest. She's still here. Safe. And I’m not letting anyone take her away from me.
I walk toward her, my eyes soft as I hold out my hand. "You okay?"
Clary gives me a small smile, her eyes filled with a mix of relief and exhaustion. She nods, then lets out a shaky breath. "Yeah. Just… a lot to process."
I step closer, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "I know. But I’m here now. I won’t let anyone hurt you ever again."
Clary looks up at me, her gaze steady, but there’s an unreadable emotion in her eyes. "I don’t know what I would’ve done if something happened to you, Rory."
I hold her tighter, feeling her breath against my chest, but it’s not enough. I need to say this—no more holding back, no more pretending I’m fine. I can’t lose her again, not after everything.
I pull back slightly, my hands resting on her shoulders as I look down at her, my heart pounding in my chest. “Clary… I need to say this.” My voice is rough, the words feeling heavy, but they need to be said.
She looks up at me, her eyes wide, waiting, and I can feel the weight of the moment settle between us. This is it. I almost lost her. I could have lost her, and it doesn’t matter how many businesses or battles I’ve fought in my life. This woman, right here, means more than anything.
“I’m sorry,” I say, my voice low but steady. “For the way I treated you, for the way I kept you at arm’s length. I was too scared to admit what you meant to me. Too fucking proud, too caught up in who I thought I was. I convinced myself that keeping you at a distance, keeping everything with us about power and control, was enough.”
I shake my head, frustrated with myself. “But it wasn’t. It’s never been enough. I almost lost you, Clary. And I don’t know if I could’ve come back from that. You’re… you're everything to me. The thought of not having you in my life, of your being taken from me, it…”
I pause, swallowing the tightness in my throat.Focus, Rory. No more hiding behind walls.
