Chapter 159
The request isn’t unexpected, but it still makes me hesitate. “But… Arthur, I just got the residency.” I gesture around us, at the apartment I worked so hard to get, the apartment I only just moved into with Miles. “I can’t just walk away from that. And I can’t keep moving Miles all over the place, uprooting him every five minutes.”
Arthur sighs, clearly trying to be patient. “Iris, once your identity gets out, reporters will be camped outside this building. Photographers will follow you everywhere. People will try to get to Miles just to get a picture of the Alpha President’s son. It won’t be safe for either of you.”
I know he’s right, but I still resist. “What about my residency? This is important to me.”
“You can still do your residency,” Arthur assures me. “I’ll have a security detail accompany you to and from the gallery every day. But please, Iris. I need to know you’re both safe when I’m not with you.‘
His concern seems genuine, and I find my resistance wavering. But it’s all happening so fast. “I need time, Arthur. To think about us, about what happens next. This is… a lot.” I sink down onto the armchair behind me, dragging my hand over my braid.
“I understand,” he says, and I can see him trying to hide his disappointment. “We can take it as slow as you need. I’m not
expecting us to just pick up where we left off five years ago. But the security issue isn’t negotiable, Iris. Not anymore. Let me at least assign you a security detail until you decide whether to move in with me or not.”
I nod slowly. The idea of having bodyguards watch my every move doesn’t exactly fill me with joy, but Arthur has already told me
how low–key his security team is, so low–key that I’ve only ever seen Ezra follow us around. I know it’ll likely be the same with
us, so Miles and I won’t have to feel uncomfortable. And I need Miles to be safe, too.
“Alright. I’ll accept the security detail. But I want to finish out the residency here, at least. Give Miles some stability before we make another big change.”
Arthur doesn’t look particularly happy about the compromise, but he nods. “Alright. But with round–the–clock security, and if
there’s any hint of a threat, any at all, you move immediately. Deal?”
“Deal,” I agree, feeling even more dazed than before.
“And the custody case?” Arthur asks, taking a hesitant step forward. “I’ve done what you asked. I’ve acknowledged you publicly.
Does that mean…?”
I take a deep breath, although it has a shuddering sound to it. I can’t believe what I’m about to agree to, but I know it’s the right thing to do. Arthur has met my demands. I feel like I can trust him more now. A lot more. “Yes. I’ll drop the custody case. You kept your word, so I’ll keep mine.”
The relief on Arthur’s face is palpable. He steps closer, close enough that I can smell his familiar scent. My body responds
instinctively, leaning toward him before I catch myself.
“Thank you,” he says softly. “For giving me another chance.”
1/2
“Don’t make me regret it,” I warn him, but there’s no real heat in my voice. We’re standing impossibly close now,
that I could kiss him if I wanted to—and I do want to.
+20 Bonus
close enough
But I don’t just yet. Instead, I grin and throw my arms around him, so overwhelmed with joy that I just want nothing more than to feel him lift me from the ground.
D
