Chapter 61

Their eyes locked and the air between them sparked with a thousand tangled emotions.

For a moment, time just stopped.

Steven's voice came out rough, full of frustration and command. "Come on, be good. Come home with me."

Lucie shook her head, her jaw set. "No. I'm not going back, Steven, and I'm not changing my mind. I told you before we even got married-if you ever fell for someone else, I'd let you go. I meant it."

Steven's frown deepened, his face dark and serious. "I've told you already. I'm not interested in anyone else. I would never cheat on you. Why do you keep thinking I would?"

The truth was, cheating had never even crossed his mind. He'd been mixed up in the underworld of New Amberton since he was barely more than a kid. Twenty years ago, the city was crawling with gangs-everyone wanted a piece of the gambling business because it was easy money. Only the most cunning and ruthless managed to survive and thrive. The Heath family climbed to the top, controlling the industry and keeping all the other sharks in line. That kind of power didn't come without a price.

As the only son, with his father's health fading, Steven had been forced to step up early. Before he turned twenty-six, his life was a nonstop cycle of meetings, parties, and backdoor deals. He had to rub shoulders with shady characters and high society alike. Every night was a blur of bright lights, champagne, and beautiful girls-celebrities, models, pageant winners-throwing themselves at him. If he wanted anyone, they'd be delivered straight to his hotel room before midnight.

He'd gotten sick of it all ages ago. To him, girls were just after money or status. They were nothing but pretty distractions.

That's why, when he married Lucie, it wasn't out of love. He didn't trust her, not really. He saw their marriage as a business arrangement, and he guarded his heart.

However, after the wedding,

something changed. Marriage wasn't the prison he'd expected. Having a wife like Lucie was actually kind of nice. She lived a healthy, disciplined life and somehow got him to do the same. He stopped going out at night started acting like a proper husband. Lucie was focused on her own career and never clung to him or interfered in his business. For the first time in his life, it felt like he could breathe-like he had something real.

Lucie's voice was weary, edged with frustration. "Steven, I don't want to talk about this right now. You know the truth, whether you admit

not.

it or

She tried to push him her

away

hands shaking. "Let me go. I'm not coming back."

Steven only tightened his grip, his eyes stormy. "When I say I won't cheat, I mean it. I keep my word, Lucie. I love you. I don't want to see our family fall apart Please just come home with me. Lets stop fighting, okay?" sŵnovels

He leaned in, losing control, and kissed her with a desperate intensity.

"Let go," Lucie gasped, panic rising in her chest. She was afraid he'd go too far, so her hand shot to the small fruit knife she'd stashed in her pocket before leaving the house—just in case something happened.

Steven's hold only got stronger. Lucie couldn't break free, so she whipped out the knife, hoping to scare him off. "Don't touch me, Steven. If you try anything, I swear I won't just stand here."

Steven looked up, surprised, a hint of a smirk on his lips. "What, you're really going to pull a knife on your husband?"

Lucie's hand shook as she waved the blade between them. "Let me go. I mean it, Steven. I'm not going back. If you keep pushing me, I—I really would do it..."