Page 126 of The Villain
“Yes, I’m sorry,” Culross said, not at all sorry. “It has already been settled.”
“Campbell will hate this,” Meghan whispered.
A meeting with him on the pavement shouting up at the youngest McQuoid brother inside was, well, precisely how Culross anticipated it would go.
Or some variation.
Culross fetched the folio from the ground, and then gathered Meghan back to his side.
Never again would they be apart.
“This is for you,” he shouted.
“What is that?” Meghan asked quietly.
“What the hell is that?” Meghan’s brother, who’d thrashed Culross within an inch of his life, demanded.
“Your shipping alliance is so important to all of you,” Culross said.
“It is important to you too,” McQuoid called down. “Need I remind you that is why—”
“Well, it is yours.” The rest of Culross’s announcement silenced them. “I don’t care a farthing about any of it.” Culross slashed the folder back and forth. “It is yours. And it’s more than your lot deserve. You wanted an alliance with me years ago, and you had this woman, perfect for me in every way, who laughs at my jokes, and who makes me laugh more than I’ve ever laughed, and you almost married her to Hartwell?”
Rage tightened his gut. And also horror at how close he had come to losing her.
His throat worked convulsively. “I love you with all I am, and all I want to be, Meghan.”
Delicate fingers smoothed his cheeks. “I love you,” Meghan whispered. Tears fell. He wiped them away. “But, August.”
She paused mid-stroke.
“You are not giving your shipping line to my family.” Muttering to herself, Meghan grabbed up the folio and waved the packet at the gawking McQuoids. “He will be my husband. I love him, and you will love him, and you will include him.” Meghan dropped the paperwork he had spent nearly a fortnight preparing and dusted her hands together.
The ‘or else’ didn’t need to be spoken.
“Now,” she said lightly, “where were we?”
Grinning, Culross pulled her into his arms—
And showed her.
The End
