Page 31 of Chloé

Oh.

My.

God.

“Yes. He had a son, my father, so he called his first store Holt-son.”

Chloé blinked up at Ethan, trying to wrap her head around the fact that— “So now you’re thesonin Holtson?”

“That’s right.”

She took a couple of steps back and sat down on the couch, the photo still clutched firmly in her hand. This was insane. Completely and utterly insane.

“You’re… You ownHoltson’s?”

“Technically I own seventy percent of it. I sold some of the company’s stock a few years back. But yes, I own it.”

Putain…How many times had she shopped at a Holtson’s store? At least once a week her entire life. They sold anything and everything, and usually at the best price.

“I… I don’t know what to say.” She looked back at the picture again, completely flabbergasted. “When do you run it? How do you—”

“I don’t.” Ethan took the seat beside her. “When my parents died, I was the only heir that remained. Everything was left to me, contingent on my finishing school and university. With no one to claim me, I was placed at Kings until graduation, per their will. As you know, I was only eight. So a board of fifteen members were in place to look after all of the business comings and goings. I saw no reason to change that, but I do attend those board meetings once a month. There’s one tonight, so you and Zayne will have the house to yourselves.”

Still reeling from everything he’d just told her, Chloé blinked up at him.

“You okay,petite fille?”

“Uh, yes? I’m just trying to process everything you just said.”

“I know it’s a lot.”

“No, I mean, I’ve only shopped in your family’s store most of my life.”

Ethan twirled a lock of her hair around his finger and shrugged. “Small world, isn’t it?”

“I don’t know about that. More like you own a good chunk of it.”

“The world? No.” He chuckled. “Just the biggest corporation in the U.S. And speaking of owning things, I wanted to talk with you about something. I meant it when I said what’s mine is yours and Zayne’s. I’ve been given more than any one person could ever need, but none of it means a thing without you both. So when you’re ready, I’d like to put you on the titles to our homes.” Ethan looked at his watch and then gestured to the door. “I’m sorry, but I have to get going. Feel free to look around some more.”

“Are you sure? This is your office. I don’t want to—”

“Chloé? How many times do I have to tell you? What’s mine is yours. I mean that. I don’t have anything to hide.” He leaned in and pressed a kiss to her lips. “I’ll be back soon. I love you.”

She stared at him with eyes full of awe and wonder. Not over everything he’d just told her, but the simple and easy way he’d just said he loved her. She never could’ve imagined that from their first encounter.

“I love you too. Be safe.”

“Always.” He headed to the door, and as he slipped out, Chloé turned back to the photo in her hand.

This confession of his felt like the biggest of all. The trust he was showing unparalleled.Holtson… Holy shit.

“Red? Red, you in here?”

Chloé whirled around as though she’d been caught rifling through the filing cabinets. But when Zayne stepped inside the office, she instantly relaxed.

“What you got there?” He crossed the office and took the picture. “So, he finally told you, huh?”

“That he’s the son in Holt-son?” A sound of disbelief left her. “Yeah.”

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