RUTHLESS DEVOTION: THE EMPIRE BETWEEN US

FALLEN FORTRESS

The room went completely, deafeningly dead silent.

Dominic felt a sudden, massive weight lift off his shoulders. He let out a long, ragged exhale a breath he had been holding from the very second he found out about her condition. Finally, the secret was out. The madness of keeping it from his own cousin had been eating him alive, and he was thrilled to be done with the burden.

Amilah squeezed her eyes shut, her entire body trembling. Tears streamed down her cheeks, hot and thick, as she waited for the fallout. She braced herself for Lowin's reaction, terrified of his anger, his rejection, or worse his judgment.

Lowin sat completely frozen. For a fraction of a second, he thought he had misheard her. He thought the ringing in his ears was playing a cruel, impossible trick on his mind.

Slowly, his muscular frame shifted. He stood up and crossed the gap between them with measured, heavy steps. He reached out, his large hand gently cupping her jaw to lift her chin.

"Open your eyes, sweetheart," he murmured, his deep voice unexpectedly cracked with emotion.

Amilah's eyelashes fluttered, revealing eyes swimming with unshed tears. Lowin didn't yell. Instead, he used his thumbs to tenderly wipe the moisture from her skin. He leaned down and captured her lips in a slow, fiercely passionate kiss, pulling away just enough to look at her.

"What did you say?" he breathed against her lips.

"I-I am pregnant," she whispered, her heart hammering wildly against her ribs like a trapped bird.

Lowin's dark eyes instantly brightened, a rare, breathtaking smile spreading across his lips. Without a word, he wrapped his powerful arms around her waist, lifting her slightly as he pulled her into a crushing, possessive embrace.

"Is this the reason you've been so stressed, you silly girl?" he chuckled roughly into her neck.

Amilah softly nodded, burying her face into the solid warmth of his chest, the tension draining from her spine. Lowin pressed a soft, lingering kiss into her hair, his hand rubbing comforting circles into her back.

"I can't even begin to explain what I'm feeling right now," Lowin whispered, a solitary, raw tear escaping his eye. His heart broke for his little bird; she had been torturing herself, carrying this massive weight all alone out of fear.

"But since the day I met you, Amy... I've fantasized about this. I've pictured our kids running around my house, tearing through my office, and you there nagging them to stop being so reckless. It always brought me peace. I just didn't expect it to happen this soon."

He pulled back slightly, cupping her face so she had to see the sincerity in his gaze.

"I told you I love you, and I always will. Don't you ever keep something like this from me again. We are in this together. I am going to support you through every single second of this. I'll take care of you both. I'll protect you."

Amilah lifted her head, searching his eyes. "Do you really mean that?"

"Of course I do," Lowin insisted, his thumb tracing her lower lip. "I know I've messed up. I lied to you, and I kept things from you that you deserved to know. But please, believe me when I say I want a future with you in it."

Amilah nodded hesitantly, though a fresh wave of anxiety coiled in her gut. What would a future with a man as dangerous and powerful as Lowin Vance look like? She was falling for him hard. She craved his presence the second he stepped away, and he made her feel things she had never experienced. But what if this intensity was temporary? What would happen to her and her baby if his feelings burned out?

Lowin didn't give her time to overthink. He slammed his lips against hers again, completely forgetting about the audience in the room.

The Salvatores and the Vance patriarch sat in stunned silence, processing the bombshell. The dynamic of the room had shifted on a dime. They weren't just protecting a woman anymore; there was a vulnerable new Vance heir growing inside her. And with Justin lurking in the shadows, the stakes had just become astronomical. The news should have been joyful, but it made their pulses race with a dark, protective dread.

Dominic cleared his throat loudly. "Guys. We are still in the room."

Lowin slowly pulled away, though he kept his forehead rested against hers. "You're moving in with me. Immediately. I need to take care of you."

"No, it's fine. I can manage," Amilah protested quickly. "Remember, I'm supposed to be joining your company soon. People are going to start talking and misunderstanding things if they see us living together."

Lowin's jaw tightened. "I don't give a damn about what outsiders think. All I care about is making sure you and our baby are perfectly okay."

"I will be okay, Lowin," she countered, her own stubbornness flaring. "Besides, it's only been three weeks. I feel completely fine."

"Amilah, please do not be stubborn right now," Lowin growled softly, his alpha protective instincts taking the wheel. "I need to have eyes on you. I need to know you are safe."

"Safe from what?" Amilah demanded, her brow furrowing. "Don't worry about Victoria. I can handle her myself."

It's not Victoria I'm worried about, Lowin thought grimly. It was Justin. But he couldn't drop that psychological bomb on her right now; he couldn't risk her stress levels spiking.

"I know you can handle her," Lowin pivoted smoothly. "But if you won't move into my estate... can I at least come stay at your place?"

Daniella rolled her eyes dramatically. This brat is still keeping secrets from her after delivering such a genius speech. Shameless, she thought.

Amilah sighed, turning her head away. "We will talk about that later. Not now."

"Fine. But I think you should rest at home and forget about joining the company until after the baby is born," Lowin stated flatly.

Panic flared in Amilah's chest. This was exactly why she hadn't wanted to tell him. The control. The confinement.

"I am pregnant, Lowin, not incapacitated!" her anger finally flashed, her voice snapping across the room. "You demanded to know what was wrong, and now you know. Do not start dictating my life and telling me what I can and cannot do!"

The Salvatore brothers raised their eyebrows in perfect, amused unison. Debrin smirked, leaning back. Damn, she's a wild one. Poor Mr. Vance has his hands full.

"I just want to ensure nothing happens to either of you," Lowin grunted, running a hand through his hair.

"Aren't you going to be busy at the office, Lowin?" Amilah challenged.

"Yes, but-"

"Then you have absolutely nothing to worry about. Nothing is going to happen to me," she snapped, turning her back on him and walking back to the sofa.

Lowin stood in the center of the room, thoroughly exasperated. This woman was a fortress of defiance. Why couldn't she just listen to him for once?

Daniella immediately rushed over to the couch, breaking the heavy tension with a beaming smile. "Oh, sweetheart, I am absolutely thrilled! I had no idea I was going to be a grandmother so soon. Congratulations, dear!"

Amilah flushed, a soft smile returning to her face. "Thank you, Auntie."

"Oh, drop that 'Auntie' nonsense right now," Daniella scolded gently, wrapping her arms around her. "Call me Mom."

Amilah fidgeted with her nails, her cheeks burning with an embarrassed warmth.

Annah bounced over, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "So tell me, sister-in-law! Is it a boy or a girl?"

"Of course it's a boy," Amilah said confidently.

"It's a girl," Lowin corrected from across the room, his tone smug.

Amilah glared at him. "And who told you that? I'm the one carrying the child."

Lowin walked back over, a wicked smirk on his face. "I helped make the baby, sweetheart. My intuition says it's a girl."

Jared Vance watched the banter unfold, a rare, amused chuckle slipping past his usually stern lips. "I think Lowin is right, Amilah. I also think it's a girl."

"See? Exactly," Lowin gloated.

Dominic clicked his tongue, thoroughly annoyed by the sudden domestic bliss in his clinical ward. "What if it's twins?"

The entire room went dead silent again. Everyone snapped their heads to look at the doctor.

Dominic threw his hands up. "What? I'm just asking a medical question. I didn't say it is twins."

Lowin's smirk only widened. "Then it'll be two girls."

Amilah crossed her arms over her chest, her eyes narrowing into slits. "Mr. Vance, it is a boy. Do not argue with me, or else-"

Before she could finish her threat, Lowin crossed the distance in a single, predatory stride. He grabbed her waist, pulled her against his chest, and crashed his lips onto hers. He forced her mouth open with his tongue, his teeth playfully nibbling on her lower lip to silence her defiance.

"Here we go again," Debrin muttered, rolling his eyes as he checked his watch.

"You shameless brat!" Daniella scolded, though she was smiling.

Annah giggled, her face turning a deep shade of crimson as she watched them. She was absolutely loving the drama.

Dane leaned down toward Annah, a dangerous, playful glint in his eyes. "Why are you blushing so hard, pretty girl?"

Annah snapped her head toward him, her chest heaving. "Who says I'm blushing?"

"You are."

"I am not," she argued, crossing her arms defensively. The movement instantly drew his eyes to the lush curve of her chest.

Dane's eyes involuntarily dropped, his gaze tracking the movement. His throat wobbled as he swallowed hard. A sudden, unexpected heat flared in his gut. He sharply ripped his eyes away, leaning back against the sofa as he let out a silent, violent curse. f**k. He had just wanted to tease the kid. He hadn't expected his body to react like that.

Debrin, who missed absolutely nothing, noticed his brother's sudden tension. His eyes narrowed into dangerous, calculating slits as he studied Dane.

Lowin finally pulled back from Amilah, his thumb brushing her swollen lips. "I told you, sweetheart... you are strictly forbidden from calling me Mr. Vance. But keep doing it, because your lips taste incredible when I have to punish you."

Dominic slammed the official discharge papers onto the coffee table with a loud thud.

"You can all get the hell out of my hospital now," Dominic snapped, adjusting his coat. "She looks perfectly healthy to me. After you monsters thoroughly destroyed my mental health for the last forty-eight hours, I can finally breathe."

Lowin turned a cold gaze to his cousin. "I'm still going to deal with you later for hiding this from me."

"I'm under a medical oath, motherfucker," Dominic shot back, entirely unfazed. "I couldn't tell you a damn thing without her explicit permission."

"f**k you, Dom."

Damien stood up, his commanding presence instantly settling the bickering. "You two need to let this go. There are far more pressing matters at hand that require our immediate attention."

"Exactly," Debrin agreed, standing up and smoothing his tailored suit.

"I don't care what you do, just don't do it here," Dominic grumbled, waving them toward the door. "Have a good day, everyone. And Lowin Vance? I expect my full hospital payment before I even think about sitting at my desk."

"Of course, Sinclair."

"And an extra five hundred thousand dollars for the emotional damages," Dominic added smoothly.

Amilah's eyes widened. "What?"

Lowin chuckled, wrapping an arm around her waist. "Don't mind him, Amy. The man is just incredibly greedy."

Dominic glared at him one last time and stormed out of the suite.

Debrin checked his cuffs. "We should head out too. Congratulations to you both. We'll see you around."

"See ya," Dane chimed in, trying to shake off his lingering tension. He turned to Annah, his smirk returning. "Hey, kid. I'll drop you off. Where's your shoot today?"

Annah flared up instantly. "You! I am not a kid!"

"You're twenty-three, right?" Dane taunted, stepping into her space.

"Exactly! Which means I am a grown woman."

Dane let out a low chuckle, his eyes darkening. "You're still a kid to me, Annah."

Annah glared a hole through his chest. "I'm taking Amilah home. I don't even have a shoot today."

"Oh," Dane murmured, a trace of genuine disappointment dipping into his voice. "Too bad."

Debrin and Damien exchanged a sharp, knowing glance, shrugging their shoulders in unison. They grabbed Dane by the jacket, dragging their brother out of the room and leaving the Vance family to finally enjoy their privacy.

---

Far away from the pristine, high-security walls of the city hospital, the atmosphere was dark, damp, and lethal.

On the desolate outskirts of the city, an abandoned, crumbling mansion loomed against the gray sky. Inside, Justin Vance walked through the cavernous, dust-covered foyer. Behind him trailed his two most trusted enforcers, Jacob and Victor. Their heavy boots crunched against shattered glass and decaying wood.

Justin stopped in the center of the ballroom, his eyes scanning the rotting grand staircase. A cold, psychotic smile touched his lips.

"It's a good place, right?" Justin asked, his voice echoing eerily.

Victor nodded, his hand resting instinctively near the holster beneath his jacket. "Yes, Boss. It just needs to be thoroughly cleaned."

"Get a crew out here immediately," Justin commanded, his eyes turning pitch-black with malice. "I need this place sparkling clean. We have an incredibly important guest who will be staying here very soon."

Victor frowned slightly, stepping closer. "Who is the guest, Boss?"

Justin turned around slowly, the warmth completely draining from his expression as a lethal aura settled over him.

"Your only focus," Justin whispered, his voice dropping into a terrifying register, "is erasing this entire property completely off the grid. The guest has absolutely nothing to do with you."

Victor swallowed hard, bowing his head instantly. "On it, sir."

Victor turned and walked out of the decaying grand ballroom, leaving Jacob and Justin alone in the shadows of the abandoned mansion.

Jacob watched the heavy double doors close, then stepped closer to the Vance psychopath. "Boss... I know it's not my place to question your judgment, but I don't think we should trust him entirely on this. He's been asking way too many questions."

Justin turned slowly, his dark eyes narrowing into lethal slits. "What are you implying, Jacob? Victor has worked under me for over a decade. He has never done a single thing to jeopardize my operations."

"I'm just saying," Jacob pressed, his voice dropping into a tense whisper. "He's been prying a little too much about what your next move is going to be. It's suspicious."

Justin went quiet, calculating. Then, a chilling smile curled his lips. "Well... if you insist. Let him focus strictly on the tech and the surveillance grid from now on. You will handle the execution. Now, what did you find on Lowin's little bird?"

Jacob pulled out an encrypted tablet. "Amilah Miles has no blood family currently inside the country; they are all overseas. The only people she is genuinely close to are her two boutique employees Zaria and Beryl. Zaria lives at home under the heavy roof of her parents, so grabbing her quietly will be difficult."

"Then let's focus on Beryl," Justin purred, his eyes gleaming with a sick, unhinged excitement. "I want her entire routine tracked. From the second she wakes up in the morning until she goes to sleep at night. I'm willing to bet Amilah cares deeply about the people who work for her."

"Yes, sir," Jacob replied. "They appear to have a tight, almost sisterly bond."

"Perfect," Justin laughed, a wicked, echoing sound that bounced off the rotting walls. "We will use Beryl as bait. And Amilah will walk right into our hands all by herself."

Outside the mansion, the air was thick with the scent of damp earth. Victor was pacing frantically along the gravel driveway, his heart hammering against his ribs. That lunatic was planning something massive, and now that he was being kept in the dark, he had no way to feed Lowin Vance the vital intel.

Glancing around to ensure he was alone, Victor whipped out his burner phone and typed out a frantic, encrypted text.

[Victor]: Boss, something is up. Justin is planning a major move and he is actively keeping me in the dark.

Inside the pristine hospital ward, Lowin's pocket buzzed. He pulled out his phone, his jaw tightening as his eyes scanned the screen. Moving with casual precision so Amilah wouldn't notice, he typed back a swift, commanding reply.

[Lowin]: Be careful. He might be suspecting a leak. Do not ask any more questions. Just do exactly as you're told for now.

[Victor]: Copy that, Boss. I'll alert you the second something else breaks.

Lowin slid the phone back into his tailored trousers, a dark, heavy weight settling in his gut. What the hell is that psycho plotting?

"Lowin," Jared's booming voice broke his train of thought. The patriarch signaled toward the exit. "Can I talk to you outside for a moment?"

"Sure." Lowin turned back to the sofa, leaning down to press a soft, lingering kiss to Amilah's forehead. "I'll be right back. Eat your fruits, sweetheart."

Lowin stepped out into the quiet, heavily guarded corridor, shutting the door firmly behind him. He turned to face his father.

"How did it go with your shadow security?" Jared asked, his posture rigid and commanding.

"Mark and Logan are already finalizing the grid," Lowin replied coolly. "Her apartment building will be secured by tonight."

Jared let out a heavy sigh, crossing his powerful arms. "You need to figure out a way to make that girl completely trust you, Lowin. You're still keeping massive secrets from her. How the hell do you expect to truly win her heart if you're building a foundation on lies?"

Lowin's expression hardened. "Dad, I just don't want her stressing herself out. Not now. I can handle this. Justin won't get anywhere near her."

"Okay. But do not act recklessly," Jared warned, placing a heavy, grounding hand on his son's shoulder. "You have a baby on the way now. She is going to need you stable, alive, and by her side."

"I know."

"Good. Because I'll be leaving the city for a couple of days," Jared stated, his tone shifting into full military precision. "I have to oversee emergency operations at the border base. The President specifically requested my personal support down there."

Lowin nodded curtly. "Alright. You handle the border. I promise you, I'll take care of everything right here."

"I know you will, son," Jared muttered. He patted Lowin's shoulder one last time, turned, and walked back into the warmth of the hospital suite to bid his goodbyes.

Inside, the three women were huddled together on the sofa, happily throwing out a chaotic list of baby names. The dark cloud of danger vanished the moment Jared stepped back in.

"I'm heading out, ladies," Jared announced, a rare gentleness in his deep voice. "I have urgent military business to attend to. Amilah, take exceptional care of yourself. And make sure you listen to Lowin."

Amilah smiled warmly, leaning forward. "Okay, Mr. Vance. Thank you so much for everything."

Jared stopped in his tracks, mock-scowling at her. "I am also going to have to forbid you from calling me Mr. Vance. You are officially a part of this family now, Amilah. There is no room for formalities here. Call me Dad."

Amilah's heart raced, a sudden wave of emotion catching her off guard. This family was so fiercely protective, so overwhelmingly loving. She had expected cold billionaires, but around them, she felt completely safe. They didn't feel like strangers at all.

"Okay... Dad," she whispered, the word tasting sweet and unfamiliar on her tongue. "I'll take care of myself."

"Good," Jared grinned. "And if he ever bullies you, I'm leaving you my private line. Don't hesitate to call me. I'll court-martial his ass."

Amilah laughed. "Sure, I will."

Lowin scoffed, walking back into the room with his hands shoved in his pockets. "What about me? What happens if she bullies me?"

Daniella rolled her eyes, scoffing loudly at her son. "Aiya, come on! How could she possibly bully you? Look at her, she is such a sweet, precious girl."

Lowin let out a rough chuckle, his eyes darkening with mischief as his gaze locked onto Amilah's blushing face. He remembered the exquisite, breathless torture she had put his body through the night before. "Should I tell them exactly how you treat me behind closed doors, little bir-"

Before the word could leave his mouth, Amilah grabbed a fresh piece of artisan bread from the catering basket and forcefully shoved it right into his mouth, cutting him off.

"I would never bully you," she glared at him playfully, her cheeks burning crimson.

Jared chuckled heavily at his son's predicament. "And as a proper welcome to the Vance family, Lowin, you better give this girl a grand wedding. It needs to be the talk of the town for the next ten years."

Amilah's eyes flew wide open, her hands instantly flying up to protest the sudden leap to marriage. But Lowin chewed, swallowed the bread, and smoothly interrupted her before she could speak.

"I completely agree with Dad," Lowin smirked, his arm winding around her waist to pull her flush against his side. "She deserves nothing less than perfection. Right, Mrs. Vance?"

Amilah glared up at him. A wedding? To the ruthless Lowin Vance? It was completely unbelievable. How on earth had her life accelerated to this point in a matter of weeks? She wasn't even entirely sure about her own feelings yet. Yes, she craved him. Yes, her body wanted him desperately, and his presence brought her a profound sense of safety. But a dark, terrified voice inside her still whispered: What if he wakes up one day and decides he doesn't want you anymore? What will you and your child do then?

Lowin noticed the sudden shadow crossing her face. He leaned down, his voice dropping into a tender whisper. "What are you thinking about so deeply? Don't tell me you don't want to marry me, Amy."

Amilah swallowed past the lump in her throat. "No... it's not that. I'm just... can we please do this the right way? Can we actually get to know each other properly, like friends, and build from there?"

Lowin let out a low, gravelly laugh, his fingers tracing the curve of her hip beneath her jeans. "I can't be your friend, Amy... you know that damn well. I physically cannot keep my hands off you. But... I agree that there is still a lot you need to learn about me. So how about this: we go on real, official dates. Does that work for you?"

Amilah looked into his intense, fiercely devoted eyes, and a soft, genuine smile finally touched her lips. She nodded. "Okay."

"Good girl," Lowin murmured, his possessive gaze flaring. "So, we are going straight to my estate today. I will take you back to your place tomorrow morning."

Amilah's smile instantly vanished. "But I want to report to work tomorrow at the corporate office."

Lowin's brows snapped together. "Why don't you just take a few days off to rest? Your executive office will be ready by next week."

"I am reporting to work tomorrow," Amilah insisted, her chin lifting in defiance. "I have all day today to rest. Lowin... if you don't let me go to work tomorrow, I swear I won't step foot inside your estate today."

Lowin pinched the bridge of his nose, letting out a defeated groan. This woman was completely infuriating, yet she always knew exactly which buttons to press to make him comply.

"Okay, fine," he muttered, completely whipped. "I'll call Tom right now and let him know you're joining the executive floor tomorrow morning. He'll have your office fully prepared."

Amilah beamed, her entire face lighting up as she threw her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly. "Thank you!"

Feeling the sudden, fierce warmth of her embrace, Lowin's chest tightened with a profound sense of happiness. He would tear the city down just to keep that smile on her face.

Daniella clapped her hands together, breaking up the embrace with a soft chuckle. "Alright, you lovebirds. We are completely done packing her things. We should get moving now."

"Okay," Amilah said, preparing to slide off the sofa.

But before her bare feet could even touch the cold hospital tile, Lowin swooped down. In one seamless, powerful motion, he scooped her completely off her feet, cradling her in a commanding bridal carry.

Amilah gasped, her hands instinctively flying to his broad shoulders for balance. "What is wrong with you? I can walk perfectly fine, Lowin!"

"No," Lowin growled softly, adjusting his grip on her hourglass curves as he marched toward the exit. "I am not letting my baby get tired. I am carrying you all the way to the car."

Behind them, Annah giggled uncontrollably, her eyes wide as she watched her older brother act like a completely whipped alpha. She turned to her mother, whining playfully. "Mom... I think I desperately need a boyfriend."

Lowin paused at the door, snapping his head around to glare death at his little sister.

Daniella laughed, completely ignoring her son's protective scowl. "Aiyoo, don't worry, sweetheart! You are so beautiful, you will find a wonderful man in no time."

The second the words left her mother's mouth, a sharp, unbidden image flashed through Annah's mind.

The piercing, dangerous eyes of Dane Salvatore. The way his throat had wobbled when he looked down at her. The suffocating heat that had suddenly filled the space between them.

Annah's heart skipped a violent, chaotic beat against her ribs, a sudden flush of heat creeping up her neck. What the hell was that? She thought, thoroughly shaken.

Lowin ignored his sister's sudden silence, kicking the heavy VIP doors open and striding out into the corridor like a king reclaiming his throne, holding his fragile new future tightly against his chest.