My gaze snapped up to him. His stare was intense. Pushing the dishes away, he tugged me onto his lap, emanating a gasp out of me.

“And as you’re my queen, you have every right to order and deny me around, my Rosebud.” My breath hitched in my throat and heart pounded down my chest as I stared at him. Cupping my face, he said, “I’m sorry if anything I said displeased you. I didn’t mean it. I’d never do anything intentionally to hurt you.”

“I-I’m not your queen,” I mumbled, not knowing what to say.

Placing a kiss on my forehead, he peered into my soul. “You are. You can deny anything you want, you have the right to do it. But you don’t have the right to deny this one thing. So, get that into your beautiful head. You are my queen. My every fucking thing. My world.”

I let out a shaky breath as a fierce emotion slammed into my heart, making me breathless. His every word was like an arrow to my heart, breaking the bricks one by one of the walls I made around my heart all these years. I wanted to ask why. But I feared I wouldn’t be able to handle his answer.

“I-I want to ask something,” I said.

Kissing my eyelids, he nodded.

“How did you know Liza was the one who put the drugs into Caleb’s car?”

“Like you suggested at that board meeting. I had people look into the recent activities of the staff having a direct connection to the projects. And I just got the reports after we returned from the police station.” His features tightened. “Liza’s phone records raised suspicion. She was also one of those people who went to Caleb’s house this morning. So, it was pretty clear it was her. That plastic packet just confirmed it.”

Nodding, I took in the information.

“Are—are you okay?” I bit my lip.

A crease set between his brows. “Why do you ask that?”

Clearing my throat, I said, “You were disturbed regarding something since we left the police station. I can tell it’s not just Caleb, it’s something else. What is it?”

Silence.

“Your reaction was strange when I told you there were drugs in that packet.” I still remember how he flinched away from the packet.

His jaw clenched as his grip tightened on me. “It’s a very vile thing, Emerald. People should stay away from it as much as possible,” he replied. Tone hard.

What are you hiding from me?

“Any other questions you have for me?” he asked, brushing his fingers against my cheek.

My heart skipped. This is the chance, Em. Say it. Ask him.

“Will you tell me the truth if I ask?”

He watched me for a moment, then gave a slow nod.