Page 41 of Forbidden Forget-Me-Not

Kaylani held his gaze. “Freedom to do what?”

Julian spread his hands. “To be who you are. To keep your passions. Your work. Your horse.” He said horse like it was a mere hobby.

Kaylani didn’t give anything away. “And what would you want in return?”

Julian’s eyes remained calm. “Loyalty and obedience. No more outbursts like last night, for example.”

There it was again.

Loyalty and obedience. He wanted her to take what he offered, pretend to be happy, and in return, her family would get richer, while she was trapped in her own personal hell.

Kaylani laughed as the waiter returned with their drinks, disappearing just as fast.

“Let me make sure I understand. You want me to look pretty on your arm and sit by your side. Give you however many children you desire, all so that I have the privilege of knowing I tied my freedom to you and your decisions. Sounds like trading a demon for a devil.”

“You misunderstand. I’m offering you the chance to do as you please. I’m offering you an exit, an out, an open door to the freedom you crave.”

Kaylani’s voice was light. “That’s a lot of pretty words.”

“Loyalty and freedom go hand in hand. They are the only words that matter in this world. You give me one, I give you one. Simple trade.”

“And what about trust?”

Julian’s smile thinned. “Trust is what you sell to people who can afford to believe in it.”

Kaylani’s eyes narrowed. “So, you don’t believe it’s necessary?”

Julian shrugged. “I believe in reality.” His gaze slid toward me, then back to Kaylani. “And the reality is that some people are born to lead and some are born to serve. There’s nothing wrong with either, as long as everyone knows their place. You and I, well, we were born to lead.”

My pulse jumped.

Kaylani’s posture stayed perfect, but I felt it. The contained rage.

Julian watched her reaction like a man who had never seen a match catch fire.

He smiled again, softening. “Forgive me. It’s not a popular way to phrase it.”

Kaylani’s voice was cool. “No. It’s a disgusting way. It’s the same way my father would phrase it.”

Julian chuckled. “I appreciate your honesty. And the compliment.”

“Do you? It wasn’t meant that way.”

“I have never met a woman quite like you, Kaylani. You’re…unique.”

Kaylani took a slow sip of her wine, eyes never leaving Julian.

“Tell me, how do you see your wife wielding power?”

Julian’s smile widened like he had been waiting for the question. “Publicly? With grace, elegance, and composure.”

Kaylani scoffed. “And privately?”

Julian’s eyes darkened ever so slightly. “Support.”

“Support for what?”

“For my decisions.”