Chapter 23
I walked into the press conference prep room and immediately got smacked in the face by chaos barely held together with caffeine and sheer fucking determination.
The air reeked of industrial-strength coffee, fresh ink from panicked printing, and that particular brand of tension that comes with high-stakes events where careers live or die based on whether someone remembered to order enough vegetarian sandwiches.
My clipboard tucked under my arm like a shield, I dove into the familiar rhythm of crisis management, juggling multiple responsibilities with the kind of practiced efficiency that had become my superpower.
“Sarah,” I called to one of the PR assistants, pointing at the seating chart spread across the main table like battle plans. “Can we shift Evergreen Media to the third row, left side? They signed late, but they’ve got serious social media traction. Put them behind Avalon Productions, not next to them.”
The assistant nodded and began typing on her tablet like her life depended on it. “Got it. Third row, left.”
“Thanks.” I moved to the refreshment station, double-checking logistics with the catering coordinator because apparently I’d become the person who knew which journalists had nut allergies. “And Global Sound is confirmed for the livestream relay, right? We can’t have technical issues with something this visible.”
“Yes, all good,” the staffer confirmed, checking his notes with the intensity of someone defusing a bomb. “They’re setting up tomorrow morning, two hours before we go live.”
Every detail mattered. Every backup plan needed a backup plan.
My career depended on this event going flawlessly, and I wasn’t about to let anything slip through the cracks because I forgot to confirm someone’s gluten-free requirements.
“Jasmine, the security briefing is confirmed for eight AM,” another assistant called from across the room. “They want to walk through the VIP entrance protocols one more time.”
“Perfect. Make sure they have the updated guest list with dietary restrictions flagged.”
My focus was shattered by a familiar voice cutting through the productive chaos like nails on a chalkboard.
“Big day tomorrow, huh?”
I turned to find Adelyn standing nearby, lips painted a sharp, predatory red that somehow made her smile look like a threat.
She clutched a coffee mug but wasn’t drinking from it—just holding it like a prop in whatever performance she was giving.
“It is,” I replied evenly, turning to face her because ignoring workplace predators only makes them bolder. “Everyone’s working hard to make sure it goes smoothly.”
“I’m sure they are.” Adelyn’s gaze swept over the organized chaos around us, cataloging every detail with calculating precision. “Let’s all dress our best tomorrow, shall we? First impressions are so important in this industry.”
The comment felt loaded with meaning I couldn’t decode, but her eyes remained too intent, watching for my reaction like she was studying lab results.
“Absolutely,” I replied with a tone that gave away absolutely nothing. “First impressions matter immensely.”
I swiftly returned to my tasks, pretending to review my clipboard while actually just wanting to escape her scrutiny.
After a moment, I heard her heels clicking away, but I could feel her presence lingering like toxic perfume.
By the time I finished final walkthroughs and confirmation calls, exhaustion had settled into my bones like cement. The adrenaline that had carried me through the day was finally wearing off, leaving me feeling hollow and wrung out like a used dishrag.
I made my way to the executive floor, the elevator ride giving me a few moments to collect myself before facing whatever waited upstairs.
The executive level was quieter than the chaos I’d left behind, but somehow the silence felt heavier, more significant.
Inside Liam’s office, I placed the final timeline packet on his desk, fingers briefly resting on the smooth leather surface.
The weight of tomorrow’s responsibility pressed down on my shoulders, but there was also a strange sense of accomplishment. I’d done everything humanly possible to ensure success.
“Knock knock,” I called softly, though the door was already open.
“Come in,” Liam’s voice replied from somewhere deeper in the office.
All three brothers entered together, their presence immediately filling the space with energy I’d grown to recognize and crave. They moved like they’d been discussing something important, expressions serious but not worried.
Liam raised an eyebrow as he took in the packet on his desk. “You work faster than our entire PR team.”
Despite my fatigue, I smiled. “They don’t run on panic and caffeine. I do.”
“Don’t sell yourself short,” Asher said, moving to examine the timeline. “This is exceptional work.”
“Thank you,” I said quietly, meaning it. Their approval still had the power to warm me from the inside out, which was probably pathetic but whatever.
Without preamble, Asher approached and placed a matte black bag on the counter—the kind of understated luxury that whispered rather than shouted about its expense.
“This is for tomorrow,” he said simply, steel-gray eyes holding mine.
Before I could ask what it was, Finn stepped forward, producing a smaller velvet box from his jacket pocket like some kind of magician.
“And this,” he added with a smile that was both mischievous and tender, “is from me.”
I accepted the box with careful hands, heart already doing gymnastics. Inside, nestled in silk, was a delicate gold earring dotted with tiny diamonds that caught the office light and threw it back in brilliant sparks.
“Finn,” I breathed, genuinely stunned. “It’s absolutely gorgeous.”
He winked, looking pleased with my reaction. “Knew it would suit you. You’ve got perfect ears for delicate jewelry.”
The thoughtfulness of the gesture—that he’d noticed something so specific about me—made my throat tight with emotions I wasn’t ready to name.
Without thinking, I stepped forward and pressed a soft kiss to Asher’s cheek, then turned to give Finn the same gentle affection.
Asher’s jaw tightened slightly at the contact, but I caught the subtle curve that appeared at his mouth corner. Finn beamed like he’d just won the lottery, hand coming up to briefly touch the spot where my lips had been.
But before I could step back and collect myself, Liam was suddenly there, hand settling at my waist with a touch that was gentle but unmistakably sure.
I turned toward him just as he leaned in, lips brushing mine in a swift, quiet kiss that neither asked permission nor made a show of itself.
It simply happened, natural as breathing.
The kiss was brief but devastating, carrying the weight of everything we’d been building toward.
When he pulled back, I blinked up at him, stunned and unable to find words. Liam remained silent, watching me with smoldering steadiness that made my heartbeat stutter and my knees forget their primary function.
“For luck,” he said finally, voice low and rough.
I stepped back slowly, still clutching Finn’s velvet box, the kiss lingering on my lips like an unspoken promise.
The three of them watched me with expressions ranging from tender to possessive to completely adoring, and I felt overwhelmed by the magnitude of what we were building together.
“Thank you,” I whispered, meaning it for so much more than just the gifts. “All of you.”
“Thank us tomorrow,” Asher said quietly, “after you’ve reminded everyone in that room exactly how brilliant you are.”
As I gathered my things to leave, I could feel their eyes following my every movement, their support and desire wrapping around me like armor.
Tomorrow would bring new challenges, new tests of whatever precarious balance we were maintaining. But tonight, I carried their gifts and their faith in me.
Tomorrow, I’d make them proud. Or die trying.
