Page 103 of He Knows When You're Awake

That startles a laugh out of me. “They were very passionate about their opinions. I think Boris is still mad that Vladimir prefers Grey Goose.”

“I assume those aren’t their real names.”

“Probably not. But they seemed to enjoy it when I started using them.”

The Bloody Mary arrives, garnished with enough vegetables to count as a small salad. I take a long sip, feeling some of the tension start to ease.

I reach across the table and take his hand. His fingers tighten around mine immediately.

“I thought my surveillance and security measures would be enough.” He looks down at our joined hands. “I never imagined he’d be bold enough to take you from our home. That’s on me. All of it.”

I study his face, seeing the genuine regret in his eyes. The man who plans for every contingency, who anticipates every move, is torturing himself over the one possibility he didn’t see coming.

“You’re right. It is on you,” I agree, my voice firmer than Iintended. “You put my face in a biometric system that could access Claire’s designs without telling me. You made me Julian’s target without giving me the chance to understand what I was walking into.”

His face pales. “The biometrics—I never thought he’d try to use you to access the case. That was meant to be a safeguard, a way to protect Claire’s legacy by giving access to someone I trusted completely.”

“But you didn’t trust me enough to tell me about it.” The hurt in my voice is clear. “How did you even get my biometric data? When did that happen?”

“The security system in the penthouse,” he admits, looking ashamed. “The first week you moved in. I... I told myself all the cameras, all the viewing, all the control... it was for your protection. To be completely honest... I forgot I even did it or I would have told you when I came clean about everything.”

I pull my hand back and take another long sip of my drink.

His voice breaks. “There’s no excuse. None.”

I sit with that for a moment, then sigh. “I forgive you,” I say softly, meaning it. “We both made it through. And maybe now we can actually build something with no more secrets between us.”

His eyes meet mine, relief washing over his features. “No more secrets,” he agrees, his thumb tracing over my knuckles. “I promise.”

The cinnamon rolls arrive, still steaming, drowning in icing. Cole’s entire focus shifts, and I have to bite back a smile at his obvious delight.

“I’m starting to think you only brought me here for the pastries.”

“I brought you here because—” He stops, reaching out to brush something from my cheek. “Because I want us to start a Christmas tradition. Cinnamon Rolls at Rivers.”

“Tradition means more than one time, you know...” I’m fishing for more. No doubt about it.

“I know exactly what tradition means.” He leans back, his eyes serious. “I never want to feel that helpless again. Not being able to reach you, to protect you—”

I offer a soft smile. “Hey. I’m here. We’re here.”

He presses a kiss to my knuckles, his lips warm against my chilled skin. “You’re right. We’re here. And I plan on keeping it that way.”

I raise an eyebrow, trying to lighten the mood. “Is that your way of saying you’re never letting me out of your sight again?”

Cole laughs, a real one that crinkles the corners of his eyes. “I suppose that’s too much to hope for.”

Cole’s cell buzzes and he takes a minute to read the text. A smile on his face tells me he received good news. “Maya’s found. She managed to get away and was laying low with her family in Jersey, but she’s safe and returning home as we speak.”

I release a breath. “Oh thank god.” I take another long drink.

“Knox says she’s unharmed.”

The waiter appears then, refilling my drink and leaving a fresh carafe of coffee for Cole. We place our breakfast orders—Eggs Benedict for me, steak and eggs for him.

As the waiter departs, Cole’s gaze turns serious again. He reaches into his coat pocket and pulls out a small box, placing it on the table between us.

“Okay, enough of the dark stuff. We need something lighter.”