Charlotte watched Anthony with a smile that was half teasing, half unreadable. He cleared his throat, voice dropping as he tried to explain, “Honestly, I came to Solenia to surprise you. I didn’t mean for the N Organization to catch me, that just…

happened.”

“Is that so?” Charlotte shot him a look, twirling the handcuffs in her fingers. Her gaze turned a little darker. “Funny, because getting these on you really does feel like quite the accident.”

Anthony pressed his lips together and said quietly, “I let them catch me so the N Organization could let off some steam. That’s all.”

Charlotte didn’t reply. Instead, she picked up a cotton swab and gently wiped the blood from his wrists, then grabbed a bottle and sprayed some painkiller on his skin.

Anthony was just about to fake a wince, hoping she’d feel sorry for him, when Charlotte’s clear voice cut through his act. “Don’t bother pretending. You’re fine.”

He shut up right away.

Even if she was tough with her words, Charlotte’s hands were careful and gentle, every movement filled with patience.

Looking at her, so pretty and focused, Anthony couldn’t help but speak up. “Okay, I’ll admit it. I was the one who leaked the news that I’d come to Solenia.”

Charlotte glanced at him. She didn’t look surprised.

“And…” Anthony lowered his head, chin brushing the top of her hair, his voice rougher now. “I stopped resisting on purpose. Letting them take me was all part of it.”

Charlotte had already guessed as much. With his skills, even if she went after him herself, she doubted she could lay a finger on him, let alone the Falcon Unit.

“So… am I supposed to praise you for that?” she asked.

He shook his head, frowning, suddenly serious. “No. But I’m going to marry you someday. If I don’t let those guys vent a little, how am I supposed to win them over and get you to say yes?”

Charlotte’s lips curved, amusement flickering in her eyes. “So now that the N Organization had you tied up, you feel a little less guilty?”

Anthony shrugged, a small grin appearing. “At least they seem happy.”

She laughed softly, finally letting herself relax against him. “They were giddy after catching you. If we’re going to make this official, I guess we had to let them have their fun.”

The N Organization would get it. Back then, if it hadn’t been X Organization, some other group would have done the same. At least X Organization didn’t wipe everyone out. Otherwise, N Organization wouldn’t even exist now.

Anthony ran his fingers through Charlotte’s hair. The knot of worry inside him finally began to loosen.

She was already drained from exams, and now this mess had landed right on top of her. Charlotte just climbed into bed, curled up against him, and let her eyes drift shut.

Anthony’s hand found her head, stroking her hair gently. His eyes softened. “You really kept your birthday a secret just to stop me from following you here?”

“There’s nothing to celebrate,” she answered, sounding casual.

Her birth had meant the end for her mother. She never liked her birthday, never wanted to remember that day.

Anthony’s fingers froze at her words, his eyes turning quietly dark.

He was about to say something when someone knocked on the door.

“Charlotte, the three patriarchs are here. They’re in the reception room,” Jackson called.

Charlotte just made a small sound in reply, opened her eyes, and slipped from Anthony’s arms. She pulled on a jacket without a second thought and headed out.

“I’m coming with you,” Anthony said.

She shook her head. Bending down, she tilted up his chin and pressed a light kiss to the corner of his mouth, her eyebrows arching. “I’ll protect you.”

And with that, she walked out, not looking back.

Anthony caught himself grinning, thinking of her slim, fierce silhouette and those words, I’ll protect you.

Maybe he really did have what takes to live the easy life.

In the reception room, the three

patriarchs sat stiff and proper, their faces solemn as they eyed

Charlotte, who was calmly peeling

an orange at the head of

e table

No one spoke. The tension in the air

felt heavy.

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“Nine, you and God… is he the boyfriend you brought back from Cabinda?” one of

the patriarchs finally asked.

“Yeah,” Charlotte admitted, not the least bit bothered.

“You two… you’re not right for each other.” The patriarch practically tripped over his words, staring at her in disbelief, it was as if the idea of her being in a relationship was too much to handle. They all wondered if God had used some trick on her. Otherwise, with a heart as tough as hers, how could she fall for anyone?

Charlotte dropped the peeled orange into a bowl, meeting their eyes. “So I should break up with him?”

The three patriarchs all nodded.

“Alright, then you can return every bit of property and all the assets X Organization ever gave me,” she said easily.

Every last asset or property… The patriarchs’ eyes went wide, completely stunned.