His Hidden Family My Ruined Marriage (Liana) novel Chapter 239

Chapter 239 The Midnight Intimacy

Linda suddenly grew so worked up that her voice shook when she spoke.

“A bodyguard might not be enough. Tomorrow, spread the word through your social circles. Liana is the daughter-in-law of this family, its future matriarch. Elian failed her, but we will protect her,” David said, his tone grave as he discussed it with his wife.

“We must do more than protect her. We must make it clear to everyone that the Forrest family’s so-called. princess is nothing compared to Liana,” Rosalind added firmly.

The family was in unanimous agreement.

Back in his room, Elian spotted the key on the nightstand. He picked it up, turning the cool metal over in his palm before setting it back down. A shower first.

A little past eleven, Liana had just fallen asleep beside Theo when she heard the faint click of a key in a lock.

A sliver of light from the hallway cut through the dark room, silhouetting a tall, imposing figure. His footsteps were nearly silent.

She thought it was a dream until a solid arm slid beneath her waist. She turned with a start.

“I couldn’t wait,” a low voice murmured. He scooped her from the warm bed, blanket and all, and carried her away.

In the master bedroom, on the large bed-

“I planned to steal you away after midnight,” Elian whispered, his long frame settling over hers, his voice thick with suppressed need.

“Elian, I don’t-”

She hadn’t even gotten the word “agree” out before he moved like lightning.

A low, rough groan, filled with restrained hunger and undeniable pleasure, vibrated against her ear.

Heat flooded Liana’s ears; her whole face burned.

He held her tighter, his mouth seeking hers. She turned her head instinctively, but his fingers caught her chin, tilting her face back to meet a kiss that was both punishing and possessive.

A phone began to ring. Liana wanted to tell him to answer it, to seize the chance to escape, but her throat felt raw, her voice gone.

Elian ignored it completely. If anything, the persistent ringing seemed to spur him on, his movements becoming more deliberate, more deeply intimate.

Afterward, he finally called back. He said only, “Whatever it is, we’ll talk tomorrow.”

Then the two of them… ended up sleeping together again.

Liana slept deeply and woke to find him already gone, small, secret relief easing the tension in her shoulders.

Ever since he’d used her mother’s treatment as leverage a thread of fear had woven itself into her feelings for him.

Her life, her well-being, felt like a bargaining chip in his hands.

They were no longer equals. He was in a position of absolute power, and she was at his mercy.

She didn’t have work. She was having breakfast with Theo when Linda approached.

She needed to see Elian. They had to get their stories straight.

After breakfast, she headed straight for the Locke Group headquarters.

Lucian, as ever, was her driver.

She called Elian on the way. It rang for a long time before he answered.

“Yes?” The voice was icy, a world away from the passionate, needy man of the night before.

“Are you busy? I need to talk to you about something,” she said, forcing her voice to remain calm.

True composure between them was a thing of the past.

“Come to my office this afternoon.”

“Alright.”

The line went dead before she finished speaking.

At that moment, Xander and Nathan were still sitting in his office. The three of them were plotting something.

Unaware, she made a detour. She went to the cemetery

Lucian followed at a respectful distance, giving her space.