It was Dad’s voice I heard first. His tone was eerily calm. “You don’t need to do that, sweetheart. Now that we know who bought the stock, and even without your and Skylar’s marriage, Marlin and I will move forward.”

“Forward? With what?”

“We came up with a plan. We can combine our stock under a legal umbrella. Together, we and the Butlers can fight whatever Sherman does. Forget about working for him or for God’s sake, marrying a man you don’t know—”

“I do know him, Dad. I know him, and I trust him, more than I trust Marlin. Do not combine your shares with him. Those are my shares. I don’t want you to do that.”

“Little girl, it’s the only way to show the banks and investors that we’re strong and withstand this attempted coup.”

“I’m not a little girl, Dad.” I stood and paced by the fireplace and windows. “It’s not a coup. Van is talking to his press secretary right now. Tomorrow before the markets open, the world will know that he bought the stock and that despite his history, he wants Wade Pharmaceutical to succeed because he’s marrying me.”

“Julia,” Mom said, “I texted the pilot. He said we can fly directly to a small airport in Ashland. He needs to get the plane ready and file a flight plan. Once we take off, we can be there in an hour and a half.”

I shook my head. “I don’t want you to come here.”

Mom’s voice lowered. “Has he hurt you?”

He left a hickey on my left breast. I didn’t say that. “No, Van hasn’t hurt me. He’s helped me. He’s listened and now he wants to help with Wade.”

“Marlin,” Dad said, “will never agree to this.”

“It isn’t Marlin’s decision.”

There was a soft knock before the door to my suite opened. I spun toward him. Van’s green gaze was filled with concern and inquiry, questioning my conversation. His hair was wet and his suit was replaced by a t-shirt that fit tightly over his wide shoulders and a pair of pajama pants. It was the first time I’d seen this casual attire. I lifted my hand to his chest, feeling the steadiness of his heartbeat.

“Do you want me to talk to them?” Van asked softly.

I shook my head and spoke into the phone. “Mom, Dad, I’m going to go now. Don’t come here, not yet. I’m spending the holidays with my fiancé.”

“Don’t—”

Disconnecting the phone, I didn’t hear the rest of their reply.

Van’s lips curled into a grin. “I like hearing that word from you.” He reached for my hand. “Are you okay? What did your parents say?”