Contracted by the billionaire

chapter 11

Roman's Pov

Vivenne's presence grounded everything. I checked my phone quietly. Security report showed no new approaches overnight. Margaret stayed silent after Crane's deal. That worried me more than noise.

Vivienne stirred. “Any news?”

“Quiet on their end,” I said. “Too quiet. Iris confirmed Margaret’s arrest warrant is processing. Griffin went underground.”

She sat up. “Clarissa will try something personal then.”

I nodded. “We stay here. No outside meetings.”

Carter and Delia joined us for breakfast. “Mom’s fully on board now,” Carter said. “She even called Nathaniel to coordinate testimony. Weird alliance, but it works.”

Delia slid her laptop over. “Sable tried one last rumor blast. Legal team shut it down with a cease and desist. Clarissa’s camp is fracturing.”

I read the updates while Vivienne ate. Her focus stayed sharp. No fear showed. That quiet strength pulled me in deeper. I had built my empire reading people. She read situations better than most.

After breakfast I pulled her into the office. “We review the full court packet today. Every detail.”

We worked side by side. She caught one small inconsistency in the financial trail I missed. “Victor mentioned this account in his statement,” she said. “Use it.”

I made the note. “Your memory from before is exact. I believe it all now.”

She looked at me. “Even the rebirth part?”

“Especially that,” I told her. “No one invents this level of detail. You came back for this fight. I’m making sure you win it.”

I kissed her then. Slow, deliberate. My hand stayed on her back, holding her close. She fit perfectly. The slow burn between us had grown steady. Not rushed. I didn’t do things halfway. Once decided, I stayed. She was my decision.

We broke apart when Iris called. “Margaret was taken in for questioning this morning. She lawyered up fast but the fraud links are solid. Hearing stays on schedule.”

“Good,” I said. “Send everything to our team.”

Vivienne squeezed my hand after the call. “One less threat. But Clarissa is still free.”

“She won’t stay that way,” I replied. “My people are tracking her movements.”

Delia knocked later. “Your mother is here again. Wants to talk strategy.”

Diana sat in the living room, posture straight. “I spoke with the judge’s clerk off record. The original contract will hold weight. I’ve distanced our family from any Ashworth scandal.”

“Thank you,” Vivienne said beside me.

Diana studied her. “You’ve proven resilient. Roman chose correctly.”

She left after short updates. No arguments. Progress.

I took Vivienne back to the bedroom area for a break. “You need rest before the final push.”

She shook her head. “I need this.” She initiated the kiss this time. Deeper. My arms wrapped around her possessively. Heat built but we kept it controlled. After the hearing. I wanted her fully when everything settled. No distractions.

“You’re not background anymore,” I said against her lips. “You’re the center.”

“I feel it,” she whispered. “With you, I don’t shrink.”

Carter interrupted with lunch. “Food’s here. Also, Nathaniel confirmed full testimony. He’s nervous but committed.”

We ate quickly. Vivienne stayed close. Her quiet sharpness matched my style. No small talk needed. We reviewed more evidence in the afternoon. Every piece locked the case tighter. Crane’s testimony would bury Margaret on the financial side. The hit attempt tied Clarissa indirectly.

My security chief called. “Clarissa tried to send flowers with a note. We intercepted. Message said ‘Get well soon, sister.’ Security checked. Clean, but we didn’t deliver.”

“Burn it,” I ordered. “No contact.”

Vivienne heard. “Same game. Poison with a smile.”

I pulled her onto the couch later. “Three days left. Whatever she plans, my team blocks it. You stay in this building.”

“I trust you,” she said. Simple. That trust meant more than anything.

Delia and Carter handled calls. They kept the mood light when needed. Delia called out Vivienne once. “Don’t go full ice queen on us after you win. You still need friends.”

Vivienne smiled small. “I know. You’re my anchor.”

Evening brought more work. I watched Vivienne across the table. She had changed everything. From the woman who stepped aside to this fighter. Her second chance aligned with my path. Obsessive protection felt natural now. She was mine by contract first. Now by choice.

I found her on the balcony before bed. “Inside. It’s late.”

She turned. “I was thinking about the future. After the hearing. Real life, not just revenge.”

“We built it,” I said. “Together. No more hiding. No more lies.”

I kissed her forehead, then her lips. Possessive hold on her waist. The star-crossed tension had broken. Forced proximity showed me what I wanted. Her.

We went to bed. I held her close. “Sleep. I’m right here.”

Morning updates came early. Iris again. “Margaret’s charges are formal. Court date solid. Clarissa lost her main lawyer. Griffin’s gone silent.”

Vivienne dressed fast. “We push on the remaining assets today.”