Unleashed (The Elliott Brothers #2)

Chapter 19

CHAPTER 19

Ten Months Later

M ichael’s disappearance made my decision easy, though it tore me apart. That Fourth of July weekend, he took his boat off the coast of Maine and never returned. The boat was found adrift, without its captain. No foul play, no answers. Just gone. And with him, my heart shattered.

I spent days, weeks even, trying to process it all, but the truth was undeniable—I loved him, far more than I had admitted to myself. When his absence became permanent, Elliott Engineering collapsed. Without Michael’s leadership, the company crumbled within weeks. Meanwhile, I returned to Abbott, where I slipped into a higher position after Thomas Marsden was fired for incompetence.

Slade tried to bring order back to the office, instituting mandatory harassment classes and policies that actually started to make a difference. And somehow, life moved on. I began dating Slade exclusively after that July, and by winter, during a snowy walk through Central Park, he asked me to marry him. I said yes. I did love him—most of my heart was his. But a small part of me would always belong to Michael, no matter what.

Today, on the first of May, it was our engagement party. I convinced Slade to wait until warmer weather, wanting all my friends to be there. Erika, my ever-party-girl best friend, had taken charge of the planning. She was a natural at this kind of thing, and I followed her lead, despite being the bride.

"What dress are you wearing today?" she asked, standing in front of my closet.

“The emerald green one,” I said, rubbing lotion into my legs.

She pulled the dress off the hanger, holding it up to admire. “This is stunning.”

“Thanks. I like that it’s simple but still makes a statement.”

She eyed the plunging neckline. “Simple? Girl, this is a showstopper. That neckline—whoa.”

I chuckled, pulling the dress from her hands. “I’m not putting on a show, but Slade likes a little cleavage.”

“A little?” She raised an eyebrow. “You’ve got the body for it. Flaunt it!”

She wasn’t wrong. The neckline dipped daringly low, just how Slade liked it when I tried it on. He’d been dropping hints about us moving in together lately, and I was seriously considering it. We were already spending almost every weekend at his place.

“Thanks for always hyping me up,” I said, slipping the dress over my head. “And, Erika… thank you for everything. I never thought planning an engagement party could be such a headache.”

“No need to thank me. But there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you.”

I zipped up the back of the dress, adjusting the straps. “Ask away.”

“This is about Michael Elliott.”

I froze. “Why are you bringing him up now?”

“Because,” she said softly, “I’ve seen how torn up you’ve been since he disappeared. You only worked for him for a few weeks, but you were devastated.”

I swallowed hard, trying to keep my voice even. “He was a friend, not just my boss.”

Erika narrowed her eyes, her tone laced with suspicion. “I think he was more than that.”

My heart raced. “Why would you say that?”

She crossed her arms, her gaze never leaving mine. “I know you. You don’t get this emotional over just anyone.”

“I cared about him.”

“Did you sleep with him?”

I shot her a sharp look. “Why would you assume that? Is it always about sex with you?”

“Well, did you?”

Silence stretched between us. I knew she wouldn’t let it go until I gave her the truth.

With a heavy sigh, I confessed, “Yes. We slept together.”

Erika’s eyes widened as she sat down beside me on the bed. “And you’re just now telling me this? How long did this go on?”

I looked down, feeling the weight of my guilt. “Almost as soon as I started working for him… and it was often. He was nothing like Slade.”

Erika blinked, stunned. “Wait—you were with both of them at the same time? Damn, college you would never.”

“I know it was wrong,” I said, rubbing my temples. “I’m ashamed of what I did.”

“Does Slade know?”

I stared at her, horrified. “Are you crazy? I’d never tell him about Michael. He’d lose his mind.”

Erika tilted her head, giving me a sly smile. “I’m surprised you’ve kept this dirty little secret to yourself for so long.”

“I didn’t want to revisit it. It hurt when Michael vanished. They never even found his body.”

“I need to tell you something,” she said, her tone shifting.

I frowned. “What?”

“I’ve been seeing someone.”

Now it was my turn to be taken aback. “And you’re just now telling me this?”

"Don’t use my line. He’s wonderful," Erika shot back, grinning.

"Are you bringing him today?" I asked, slipping on my earrings.

Her expression shifted, a hesitation flashing in her eyes. "I don’t think it’s a good idea."

I paused, narrowing my eyes. "Why? Is he a freak or something?"

She locked her blue eyes onto mine, and I knew something was coming. "He’s an Elliott."

My mouth dropped open. "An Elliott? As in…"

"Lincoln Elliott," she clarified, watching my reaction. "I met him at a club. He looked so familiar."

I narrowed my eyes. "Familiar how?"

"He looks so much like Michael."

My heart skipped a beat. "What the fuck? I can’t have him at my party! He’d be too much of a distraction!"

"I thought so too. That’s why I’m not bringing him. I don’t want to upset you."

"Wait." I spun toward her, trying to process. "When were you going to tell me about him? And how much does he look like Michael?"

Erika shrugged, nonchalantly, but I could see the tension in her shoulders. "I think we should shelve this conversation until after the party. Maybe we can grab drinks next week—if Slade ever lets you out of his sight."

I rolled my eyes. "He doesn’t control me, Erika. He just likes spending time with me."

"You mean dominate your time. I’m surprised he hasn’t convinced you to elope yet."

"He’s mentioned it," I admitted with a small smile.

"Please don’t! I want to be the maid of honor." She clasped her hands together, mock begging.

"Relax, I have no plans to elope. My parents would kill me. They’re already dreaming of walking me down the aisle." My hand instinctively rested on my stomach as I added, "I’m hopeful that one day, my child will see their grandparents there too."

Erika’s eyes widened. "Wait, are you planning on getting pregnant right after the wedding?"

I shook my head. "Not immediately, but I won’t wait too long."

She grinned. "I’d love a little one to spoil."

"Since when do you like kids?"

"I love them—as long as they go home to someone else’s house at night."

I laughed, shaking my head. "You’re ridiculous. Never thought you’d want any of your own."

"I do, but not until I’m, like, thirty-five. And I’d definitely need a nanny."

"Where’s the fun in that?" I asked, eyebrow raised.

Erika leaned back, crossing her arms. "It wouldn’t be fun waking up in the middle of the night, that’s for sure."

"But think of the bonding," I countered, smiling softly. "Those are the moments that make it all worth it."

"Maybe." She shrugged, brushing off the sentiment. "Doesn’t matter. I’ve got years to figure that out."

I smirked. "You say that now. Wait until Lincoln Elliott proposes to you, and suddenly you’re pregnant and picking out baby names."

“You look gorgeous,” Slade murmured, brushing a soft kiss against my lips, his breath warm and familiar.

“And you look handsome,” I replied, taking in the way his light gray suit hugged his sculpted frame. Over the past year, he’d leaned into fitness—more sculpted now, his muscles taut beneath the fabric. He rarely touched junk food anymore, sticking to the healthy diet we both followed. We worked out together, even took a few day hikes, though none quite like the unforgettable one over a year ago.

Slade’s hand found mine, his fingers warm and strong as he pulled me closer. "Ready to make our grand entrance?"

I glanced around, nerves fluttering beneath my calm exterior. Our engagement party was in full swing at The Wyatt, in a private room filled with two hundred of our closest friends and family. The wedding would be even grander, the guest list swelling to over four hundred. The ceremony was set for September at Keaton and Leslie Abbott’s summer home in Southampton, a sprawling estate perfect for our plans. It felt surreal.

He nuzzled my cheek, his voice low and intimate. "Are your parents here yet?"

“They should be,” I said, stealing a glance toward the entrance. "The limo picked them up this morning. You really didn’t have to get them a suite, you know."

"It’s no trouble," he said, brushing a kiss on my temple. "I want them to be comfortable. They deserve it."

I smiled, squeezing his hand in appreciation before waving to Oliver and Ryleigh Fox as we stepped through the grand double doors. Oliver, a business acquaintance of Keaton’s, was a familiar face, while Ryleigh had become a fast friend. She was my age, vibrant and effortlessly charming. Oliver was older but carried himself with the energy of a man years younger.

As we made our way through the crowd, Slade’s hand rested protectively on the small of my back. Every step felt like a dance, moving in sync with him, until we reached the head table where our closest family sat—my parents, the Abbotts, Slade’s brother, Levi, and Erika.

Erika, always radiant, flashed a smile, catching my eye as she sat beside Levi. Despite being involved with Lincoln Elliott, she still managed to charm Levi effortlessly. I couldn’t help but chuckle, watching Levi fall under her spell like so many others. He was a younger version of Slade, though with a wilder edge, his longer hair giving him a rebellious flair.

I paused to hug everyone at the table, my mother looking stunning with her chic bob and floral dress. At seventy-two, she still turned heads with her grace and beauty. My father looked healthier than the last time I’d seen him, the medication Slade had financed working wonders. He’d even gained a bit of weight, the color returning to his face. In his light blue seersucker suit, he looked dapper, a far cry from the frail man he’d been last year.

Slade pulled out my chair, and I sat down amidst the rising hum of laughter, clinking glasses, and silverware. Throughout the party, his hand never strayed far from me—resting on my arm, brushing against my knee, a constant reminder of his presence, his affection. Even when he leaned over to chat with his brother or father, he made sure I knew he was there, connected, committed.

I watched him, my heart swelling with a mix of love and bittersweet regret. If only this had happened sooner.

Slade leaned in close, his breath warm against my ear as he whispered, “You okay?”

I nodded, glancing around at the room full of people gathered to celebrate us. "More than okay," I said, my hand covering his, savoring the warmth of his touch. "I’m happy."

He smiled, his eyes softening in a way that always made me feel like the only woman in the room. "Good. You deserve it."

As the party buzzed around us, I couldn’t shake the feeling of gratitude and wonder. This life we were building, the future ahead—it was everything I’d ever dreamed of.

Hours later, I dozed in Slade’s bed, utterly exhausted from the whirlwind of the day. My parents were comfortably settled in their Manhattan suite, enjoying a few days in the city, and I was relieved knowing they were doing well. Their health had improved so much, and I clung to the hope it would last.

Slade’s hand, warm and deliberate, slid over my thigh, and his thumb found my clit in slow, steady strokes.

“I have no energy left,” I murmured, my eyes still closed.

His voice was low, teasing. “I’m not asking you to do anything.”

“Then why are you...?” My breath hitched as he shifted the rhythm, rubbing gentle circles that sent a shiver down my spine.

“I want to make you come. I love making you come.”

A weak protest left my lips. “I don’t think I have energy even for that.”

But my body betrayed me, arching involuntarily as the sensation built. I gripped the sheets tighter, my breath quickening as waves of pleasure rose, overwhelming me until I shattered beneath his touch. My body trembled, powerless against the release that tore through me.

“Mmm, thank you,” I whispered, still catching my breath.

“I told you there was energy to be found,” he said with a smug smile, leaning in to kiss my shoulder.

I turned my head to meet his gaze, feeling the warmth of his affection wash over me. “I love you, Slade.”

“And I love you,” he replied, his eyes softening. He shifted, pulling something from the nightstand. “I have a gift for you.”

I frowned, confused. “Why?”

His eyebrows shot up. “Excuse me?”

“Why did you buy me a gift?”

“Because I love you,” he said simply, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. “You deserve it, and more. Plus, you did a fantastic job on the McGregor project. We’ve already gotten two referrals because of it.”

I smiled, the compliment sinking in. “I wanted to make you proud. One day, the company will be yours.”

“Ours,” he corrected, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “One day the company will be ours.”

“Yours,” I insisted, my voice firm.

“Ours,” he repeated, this time more resolute. “You’re part of this too, Morgan. You’ll be part of the ownership.”

Before I could protest again, he leaned in, pressing soft kisses across my face, trailing them down my neck until his lips hovered over my pulse, the sensation making me shiver.

“You smell so good,” he murmured against my skin.

I laughed softly, swatting at him. “You need to get some new lines.”

He chuckled, pulling back to look at me with a grin. “Morgan, I’m so damn happy.”

“I’m happy too,” I whispered, though something heavy lingered in my chest, unspoken.

“You don’t understand how happy you’ve made me. I can’t wait to see you walk down the aisle in a few months,” he said, his voice tender, full of anticipation.

“I have so much to get done before then,” I sighed, the to-do list for the wedding already overwhelming me.

“That’s why we have a wedding planner,” he reminded me, his hand resting on my hip. “You can’t do it all yourself.”

“I know, but I want everything to be perfect. What if it rains?”

“We have a contingency plan,” Slade said confidently. “That’s what Maelynn’s here for.”

Maelynn Gray, our wedding planner, was a miracle worker, renowned for her celebrity weddings. We’d been lucky to book her, thanks to Rachel Vicaria, my wedding dressmaker and her close friend. I trusted her to handle the details, but the thought of something going wrong still gnawed at me.

“I don’t want a tent,” I muttered.

Slade chuckled. “If it rains, we might have no choice. But don’t worry, everything will work out. And if not, we can always fly to Las Vegas.”

I shot him a glare. “I am not eloping, Slade Abbott.”

“The offer’s always there,” he teased, his grin widening.

“I know, but the answer is still no,” I said firmly, though I softened at the mention of my parents. “I want my mom and dad to walk me down the aisle.”

“We could bring them to Vegas,” he joked.

I exhaled loudly, rolling my eyes. “Then it’s not an elopement.”

He laughed, pulling me closer, his body curling around mine. In that moment, the love I felt for him surged, overwhelming me. Slade was my protector, my anchor. He could calm me when the chaos of our lives became too much, and in his arms, everything felt possible.

But even with all the love between us, there was still one thing I could never tell him. A secret that lodged itself deep inside me, one I could never reveal without tearing him apart. He thought he was the only one who had my heart, the only man I’d ever given myself to.

He didn’t know about Michael. And he never would.