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The next morning, my girl was preparing for war. She was ready to fight back, set the record straight.

“You’re right. I have nothing to hide or be ashamed of. I’ll share my story once, and then I’ll let it go. Whoever chooses to believe Kyle over me isn’t worth my time. I was hoping you would join me, though. If I’m going to do this, I want something good to come out of this. You can talk about The Little Finch Literary Foundation?” Shock ran through me, that she knew about the charity organization I had helped Mom open a few years earlier. She had dreams of a traveling book bus that went to schools, letting kids pick out free stories to take home with them.

“Is that…Would you be okay with that?” Lilah looked nervous all of a sudden.

“For you? I’d do anything.” I pressed a kiss to her palm before she cupped my cheek. If she wanted to claim me in front of the world, I wouldn’t fight it. Everyone would know that if they wanted to get to Lilah, they’d have to go through me first.

Chapter 31

Lilah

Standing in front of the mirror, I admired the final result. Hair, makeup, stylists, wardrobe, and everyone else under the sun had been running around me all morning, getting things ready for the interview.

I couldn’t complain. The woman looking back at me filled me with awe. It was me, but more. My long hair was twisted back into a chic updo, the black strands punctuated by the vibrant purple color I had added. Long, winged eyeliner highlighted my eyes, and deep lipstick tied the whole look together.

Charlie had found an incredible dress; it was cut high in the front and dipped in the back. The sheath-style hugged my waist before flaring slightly as it fell on my thighs. It was in a bold teal color, taking a classic silhouette and making it modern. I had on my favorite pumps, and all I needed was my grandmother’s necklace. It was a small chain, and I always had difficulty getting it on.

Stepping into the kitchen, it felt like I had walked onto a movie set. Lights, tripods, and cameras were everywhere. Camilla was bossing everyone around to ensure she had the shot set up perfectly. Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted Eliot. I froze, my breath caught in my chest.

In a black suit with a black shirt and tie, he looked like a bodyguard or an assassin. As much as he tried to blend into the background, disappear into the shadows he thought owned him, he stood out. His head turned, his eyes met mine, and I felt dizzy. My feet started moving without my control, carrying me across the room toward my demon.

“Angel. You look…stunning.” His voice sounded pained as he pulled me into his arms.

“Can you help me put this on?” I asked, remembering the reason I had finally left the safety of the bedroom. Turning in his arms, I tilted my head forward, the delicate chain looking infinitely fragile in his large hands. Far too quickly, he latched the necklace in place, letting it drop to rest in place against my throat.

Before moving away, though, he pressed a soft kiss to the back of my neck, sending a shiver down my spine. Turning my head, I pressed a kiss to his fingers before stepping away.

“You’re making me dizzy,” I told him, the chaos and strange people falling away, the magnitude of what I was about to do no longer pressing down on me.

“I won’t let you fall,” he said, the small twitch at the corner of his mouth almost a smile. I knew it was the most I would get, especially with that many people around. To the world, Eliot was cold and removed, emotionless.

That wasn’t my Eliot, though. And I liked that only I got to see the sweet side of him. I turned in his arms, resting my head against his shoulder as he pressed a kiss to my forehead.

“Perfect! Oh, you two are stunning together. Such a striking couple,” Camilla cooed, breaking the spell Eliot had me under. I felt him stiffen against me, but he didn’t pull away. Turning in his arms, I faced her but didn’t leave his embrace. His hand wrapped around my waist, gripping my hip and keeping me tight against him.

“Thanks so much for this, Cami. Have you and Eliot officially met?” Turning to him, I finished the introduction.

“Cami and I went to college together,” I told him.

“Nice to meet you,” Eliot replied, and Cami’s eyes widened. He reached out, and I froze, surprised by the gesture. It was a quick shake, perfunctory, but it was more than what I was expecting or ever imagined.

“We’re just about set up. Do you want to go over the talking points again? Not that I think you need to. You’ve got nothing to worry about here.” Turning to Eliot, she addressed him.

“I went home with Lil for Christmas break one year and got to really experience the whole Wright family in their finest form. Let’s just say this has been on my bucket list for a while.” Eliot snorted, a look of approval on his face at Cami’s admission.

“Alright. Let’s get this show on the road!” Cami cheered before marching off to give her last-minute directions to her team.

“Thank you. For doing this with me,” I told him, and he just shook his head, an indulgent expression on his face.

“Angel. I’d do anything you asked me to do.” Tucking me into his side, we walked into the kitchen, only separating when it was time for me to get seated in front of the camera, opposite Cami, who was in full news anchor mode. The questions started off easy.

“Tell us about your childhood. What was it like, growing up in the Wright family? That’s a big legacy to live up to.”

“It was. My grandparents, Edgar and Rose, started the family company shortly after they were married. They poured everything they had into getting Wright Co. up and running. It was their pride and joy. Growing up, I idolized my grandparents. Working at the company was all I ever imagined doing.” Those memories were easy, simple.

My grandma and grandpa were amazing people. For as big as the company got, as much money and changes they went through, they never changed as people.

“Growing up, your family were no strangers to the limelight. Your parents and sister were frequently photographed and featured in a variety of articles and interviews.” Pausing, Cami leaned over, her hand resting on mine.