Lainey Fisher skidded to a halt, spinning around to face Aries Wilson, her eyes practically sparkling with excitement. "So does this mean we’re heading home?"

Aries gave a short nod.

"Oh, thank God!" she practically squealed, the dark cloud that had been hanging over her vanishing in an instant. She threw her arms around him, hugging him tight. "Thank you, thank you!"

Uncle Langston appeared beside them just then. "Sir, ma’am—are you both all right?"

Lainey pulled back, still beaming. "I’m perfectly fine, Uncle Langston. Sorry if I caused any fuss."

"No need to apologize, ma’am. I should’ve been right there with you outside—Mr. Wilson was worried sick," Uncle Langston said, visibly relieved she was safe.

Aries slid an arm around Lainey’s waist, tugging her closer. "Let’s get moving. Don’t wanna miss the flight."

"Oh, right! Got it!" Lainey chirped, darting into the open elevator.

Aries shot Uncle Langston a pointed look. "Uncle Langston, you’re quite the chatterbox, you know that? Get the car ready—we’re heading to the airport shortly." He strode into the elevator after her.

Back in the suite, Lainey tossed her clothes into a small carry-on in record time. She glanced over at Aries, who hadn’t budged from the sofa. "I’m all set. Need a hand with your stuff?"

"No need. I’ve got it covered," Aries said, effortlessly scooping up her tiny bag.

Confused but too excited to dwell on it, Lainey let it slide. The sheer thought of going home had flooded her with so much joy that the earlier jitters from the street were long forgotten.

Despite the mad rush, they made the plane. Inside the swanky first-class cabin, Lainey deliberately chose a seat a million miles away from Aries. He didn’t seem to care, just crossed his legs and leaned back, totally relaxed.

The buzz of going home kept Lainey wide-eyed all night long; she only managed to crash and fall asleep as the first hint of dawn crept in.

After more than ten hours, the plane kissed the tarmac at JFK. Aries glanced over at Lainey, still totally out, and reached over to tap her shoulder gently.

Lainey’s eyes fluttered open, and she rubbed them sleepily, squinting up at him. "We here?"

"Yeah," Aries said.

She scrambled to stand, but her legs had fallen dead asleep from sitting so long. Unsteady, she stumbled right into Aries’s arms. He caught her, one hand pressing against the small of her back to steady her.

Uncle Langston stepped into the cabin and froze at the sight of the cozy little scene. "Sir, ma’am, you can disembark now," he announced.

Once she’d found her footing, Aries tightened his grip around her waist. "You okay to walk?" His voice came out low, almost tender, and it threw her off for a second.

Then, without a word of warning, Aries scooped her up into his arms and started walking out.

Lainey let out a startled squeal. "Put me down!"

"I’m not deaf, you know. No need to scream," Aries teased, but he didn’t set her down, just kept moving.

"Everyone’s staring!" Lainey hissed into his ear.

He finally placed her back on her feet but kept a possessive arm around her as they exited the terminal, Uncle Langston trailing behind with their luggage.

A sharply dressed woman in a crisp white business suit stood waiting by a sleek car. "Mr. Wilson, Mrs. Wilson," she greeted, her smile perfectly polished.

"What are you doing here?" Aries asked, his tone even, but Lainey caught a flicker of something different underneath.

AlBraydenna Barnes smiled, her voice all business. "There’s a meeting this afternoon that requires your presence."

Lainey shot a quick look at Aries. "I didn’t know you had work stuff. It’s cool, I can get myself home," she said, already stepping away. She knew this city like the back of her hand and could navigate it blindfolded.

Aries was at her side in two strides. "Go back to the villa with Uncle Langston. I’ll head home once the meeting’s over."

She nodded. "Okay."

"Uncle Langston, drive Lainey back," Aries instructed the older man.

"Sir, Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are expecting you both," Uncle Langston reminded him.

Aries fixed his gaze on him. "I’ll deal with that later. You go on ahead." He turned and pulled AlBraydenna into an embrace.

AlBraydenna melted against his chest. "Aries, I missed you. When you texted last night that you were coming back, I rushed over the second my shift ended. I haven’t eaten a thing yet."

"Alright, lemme treat you then," Aries said, steering her toward the car.

Once inside, Aries leaned over and brushed a kiss to AlBraydenna’s lips. "Isn’t the company slammed?" he asked.

She laughed. "It is, but surely you’re not gonna deny me a lunch break, Mr. Boss?"

Aries chuckled. "Where do you wanna eat?"

"Anywhere works. But aren’t you supposed to be resting?" AlBraydenna’s fingers ghosted over his tired face.

"I’m good. Lunch with you, then the meeting, and I’ll jet back to the villa," Aries answered, pulling the car into the city, AlBraydenna offering zero complaints.

In the other car, Lainey stared out the window, the silence stretching. Finally, she spoke up. "Uncle Langston."

"Yes, ma’am?" he replied, eyes on the road.

"Never mind," she muttered, unable to give voice to what was rattling around her head. It wasn’t her place to worry about Aries’s business anyway.

The car rolled on for over an hour before it finally pulled into a sprawling, ridiculously lavish suburban estate and eased up to a classic two-story villa.

"We’ve arrived, ma’am," Uncle Langston announced, parking in the garage and hurrying around to open her door. Lainey stepped out, freezing for a heartbeat at the sheer grandeur in front of her.

She followed Uncle Langston across a wide lawn along a stone path and up the steps to the entrance.

Just then, a woman in an elegant VictorBrayden-style dress dripping with intricate floral embroidery swept out the door. "Lainey, you’re here."

Lainey paused, the face clicking into place from the wedding. "Hi—Mom."

"Come in, come in, quickly," Mrs. Wilson said, stepping down a few steps to take Lainey’s hand and draw her inside.

Uncle Langston trailed behind with the luggage. Mrs. Wilson settled Lainey onto a sumptuous brown leather sofa in the lounge—the whole room was decked out in rich leather furniture.

"Susan, bring a coffee for the lady," Mrs. Wilson instructed a housekeeper, then spotted the bags. "And have the luggage taken up to the second-floor room."

Lainey turned to her. "Mom, really, there’s no need. The bags aren’t heavy—I can carry them myself."

Rooted to the spot, Lainey couldn’t shake the feeling she was totally out of her element. If it weren’t for the gentle grip on her hand, she probably would’ve bolted to some corner of the villa where Aries couldn’t find her.