Before I could respond—
A hand wrapped around my waist.
Firm.
Unmistakable.
“Careful,” Liam said quietly behind me. “You’re standing too close.”
Ethan’s smile didn’t falter.
“I was just discussing business.”
“With my partner?” Liam asked.
Partner.
The word hit like a spark.
“I didn’t realize she’d agreed to that title,” Ethan replied smoothly.
I turned slightly, looking between them.
The tension was electric.
Dangerous.
“I can speak for myself,” I said sharply.
“Then do it,” Liam said.
His eyes were on me now—not Ethan.
Challenging.
Trusting.
Terrified.
Ethan waited.
The city lights shimmered behind us.
Three players.
One choice.
“I’m not standing with either of you,” I said slowly.
Silence.
“I’m done being the prize in someone else’s war.”
Ethan’s brows lifted slightly.
Liam’s grip on my waist loosened—but didn’t disappear.
“You both underestimate me,” I continued. “If there’s a vote coming, I won’t be a symbol. I’ll be a decision-maker.”
“You don’t hold shares,” Ethan pointed out.
“Not yet.”
Understanding dawned in Liam’s eyes.
“What did you do?” he asked quietly.
I met his gaze.
“I called in debts.”
Ethan’s expression sharpened.
“My father may be facing prison,” I said, “but loyalty doesn’t evaporate overnight. I’ve secured proxy votes from three minority shareholders.”
Shock flickered across Ethan’s face.
“And?” he asked carefully.
“And I haven’t decided where they’ll go.”
The silence that followed was razor-thin.
“You’re playing a dangerous game,” Ethan said.
“I learned from the best.”
Liam’s thumb pressed slightly into my waist—a silent warning.
“Why tell us?” Ethan asked.
“Because I want you both to understand something,” I said calmly. “If you want my support, you don’t threaten. You don’t manipulate. And you don’t send old photos to test loyalty.”
Ethan’s jaw tightened.
“And you,” I added, turning slightly toward Liam, “don’t make unilateral decisions about my life and call it protection.”
The words hung heavy.
A muscle flexed in Liam’s cheek.
“Then what do you want?” he asked.
The question was raw.
Real.
I held his gaze.
“I want partnership,” I said. “Not possession. Not protection. Partnership.”
The vulnerability in his eyes hit harder than any argument.
“And if I can’t promise that?” he asked quietly.
“Then I’ll promise it to myself.”
Ethan studied us both, calculating.
“You’re stronger than I anticipated,” he said finally.
“I know.”
A slow smile curved his lips.
“This just got interesting.”
He stepped back.
“But understand something,” he added softly. “When the vote happens, there won’t be room for sentiment.”
“Good,” I replied. “I don’t plan to bring any.”
He left us there on the terrace.
The door slid shut behind him.
Silence settled.
Only the distant hum of music and the city below.
Liam didn’t release me.
“Proxy votes,” he said finally.
“Yes.”
“You didn’t tell me.”
“You didn’t tell me about my father.”
A beat.
“That’s fair.”
I turned fully toward him.
“This can’t be another secret war, Liam.”
“It won’t be.”
“You can’t sideline me.”
“I won’t.”
“You can’t decide for me.”
His jaw tightened.
“I’ll try.”
Not a promise.
But honest.
“Try harder,” I said softly.
He searched my face like he was memorizing it.
“You terrified me tonight,” he admitted.
“Why?”
“Because you looked like you didn’t need me.”
The confession was barely above a whisper.
My heart stuttered.
“I don’t need you,” I said gently.
His expression shuttered.
“But I choose you.”
Everything stilled.
“You’re not my weakness,” I continued. “You’re my risk.”
“And you’re willing to take it?”
“Yes.”
His hand tightened on my waist.
“And if it costs you?” he asked.
“It already has.”
Lightning flickered in the distance.
The storm hadn’t ended.
It had only moved further out.
“Then let’s stop pretending this is about business,” he said quietly.
“It never was.”
He leaned down, lips hovering just shy of mine.
“Say it,” he murmured.
“I’m not your pawn.”
A breath.
“And?”
“And I won’t let you fight alone.”
His control snapped.
The kiss was fierce. Claiming. Not ownership—but alignment.
When we finally pulled apart, the ballroom doors opened behind us.
Applause echoed inside.
The charity auction was beginning.
The real war was next week.
And for the first time—
I wasn’t standing behind him.
I was standing beside him.
Equal.
Dangerous.
Unbreakable.