My hand tightened around the phone. “How… how much are we talking about?”
Emma told me the figure, and I gripped the edge of the table, my knuckles turning white. It was far more than I had expected–enough to cover part of Jason’s gambling debts and my father’s medical bills.
“It’s already been transferred to your account,” Emma added. “You should see it now.”
My hands trembled as I opened my banking app. The amount was there, just as Emma had said. My throat closed up, making it hard to swallow.
“Emma, I… thank you. How are you doing, by the way? After everything with Steve…”
“I’m okay,” she said, her voice stronger than before. “Actually, more than okay. I’ve been promoted to store manager. Can you believe it? Mr. Sterling himself signed the paperwork.”
“I knew it. That’s wonderful!” I said, genuinely happy for her.
“I just have a small bruise on my arm from when Steve shoved me,” Emma continued. “Nothing serious. And now… well, now things will be different at Silver Collections.”
After we hung up, I stared at my phone, emotions churning inside me. Relief about the money. Gratitude toward Dominic. But also discomfort–was this his way of paying me after last night? After all, I was still essentially being paid to be his companion, wasn’t I?
I pushed the thought away, my stomach knotting. The money was for what happened with Steve, not for what happened between Dominic and me. I needed to focus on the positive–I could finally help my family.
With the financial pressure temporarily eased, I found myself drawn to Dominic’s study. I settled into the window seat, pulling out my design notebook.
I wanted to do something for the people who had helped me. Diana, Raymond, Sophia… I began listing ideas, my
hand moving quickly across the page.
As I sketched, my mind kept returning to Dominic. What could I give to a man who could buy anything? Last night when he’d returned home, I noticed he wasn’t wearing his suit jacket. Given how he’d described killing Steve- ripping open his throat–I suspected the jacket had been ruined.
I flipped to a clean page and began sketching a men’s suit jacket. One with subtle details that would suit Dominic perfectly. The cut would emphasize his broad shoulders and narrow waist. The fabric would be the finest wool. And there, on the inner cuff where only he would see it, I added a small embroidered design of a brown doe–his nickname for me.
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Chapter 73
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My fingers trembled as I added more detail. The man who would wear this jacket had killed someone for me. Had shown me his true nature. Had taken me so completely that I could still feel him on my skin.
I should be disturbed by it all. But the truth was, I felt safer knowing Dominic would go to such lengths to protect me. And after last night, there was no denying the power of whatever bond existed between us, whatever this “mate” thing truly meant.
After purchasing gifts for Diana, Raymond, and Sophia, I headed to an exclusive tailor Emma had once mentioned. The kind of place that made suits for CEOs and, I presumed, Alpha werewolves.
The shop was intimidating–all dark wood and hushed voices–but I approached the counter with my head high. The consultant raised an eyebrow at my design, but when I mentioned it was for Dominic Sterling, his demeanor changed instantly.
“Mr. Sterling is one of our most valued clients,” he assured me, examining my sketch with newfound respect. “This is quite good, actually. You have an eye for design.”
I was discussing fabric options when a familiar voice cut through the quiet atmosphere.
“Well, well. Look who’s shopping in the big leagues now.”
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