Chapter 211
Chapter 211:
“A bright yellow Lamborghini,” I said flatly. “Which she intended to use for street racing on the southern border of the territory. Where the rogue activity has been highest p>
Adella’s mouth opened, then closed. The color drained slightly from her face. “Oh p>
“Yes. ‘Oh.’” I leaned back and crossed my arms. “She is a Sterling-Marshall. She is a target. Discipline isn’t a suggestion, Adella — it’s a survival requirement p>
Adella bit her lip, her gaze dropping to her plate. I watched the conflict play out across her face. She knew I was right, logically. But that bleeding, compassionate heart of hers — the very thing that made her such a perfect Luna — wouldn’t let it go.
𝘉𝘦 р𝘢𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 оur 𝗰𝘰m𝘮𝗎𝗇і𝘁y оn ѕ.c𝗼𝗺
“It’s still not the root cause,” she insisted, looking up at me with those defiant eyes that drove Ragnar to the edge of madness. “She acts out because the Penthouse is cold. She told me it smells like broken glass. She’s lonely, Dallas. You can take away her money, but you can’t punish her into feeling loved p>
Got you.
The trap snapped shut. I didn’t smile, though the urge was there. Instead, I let my expression soften just enough to mimic vulnerability — a weapon I rarely used but wielded with precision.
“You’re right,” I admitted, my voice dropping an octave. “The Penthouse is cold. It has been empty. Since her mother died, it has been nothing but a command center.” I leaned forward, invading her personal space. The scent of her arousal spiked — subtle, sweet, betraying her body even as her mind resisted. “You wanted a family, Adella. A family needs its Luna. If you want her to have a warm den, then you must be there to make it warm p>
Adella froze. “What are you saying p>
“I will unfreeze a portion of her allowance. I will let her train with the Warriors instead of attending that ridiculous etiquette gala,” I proposed, watching her eyes light up with hope for the girl. “But in exchange, you come home p>
“Home?” she whispered.
“The Penthouse. Every weekend,” I clarified, my voice hardening, leaving no room for negotiation. “Starting tonight. You will be there when she wakes up. You will be the warmth you claim she needs p>
She hesitated, her fingers tightening around her napkin. “I have my own life here, Dallas. I can’t just play house p>
“It’s not playing house. It’s being a parent.” I stood, towering over the small table, letting my shadow engulf her. I needed to seal this now. “And there is one more condition p>
She looked up, wary. “What p>
I walked around the table until I was standing directly behind her chair. I leaned down, my lips brushing the shell of her ear. A shiver racked her body.
“You will sleep in my bed,” I murmured, my voice a low rumble that vibrated through her chest. “In the master suite. Where my Mate belongs p>
“Dallas…” Her breath hitched. “We aren’t p>