A/N: Hello, everyone! This is the second to the last chapter of this book and if you've been reading Virtue and Vice since it first went up, you'd know that this story has twists and turns everywhere so this one isn't going to be too different. I thought I'd warn you because a lot have already been pleading with me to give them their happily-ever-after. Not yet.

I want to thank you all again for supporting this book (and most of my work, really). It's come a long way and I only started posting this maybe a month ago or so. Please share it with others if you love it. I'll do my best to get going with the other books in the series but they will take time.

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***

Had this been a regular work function, I wouldn’t have fretted too much about how I looked.

But this was a Christmas party I’d be arriving at on the CEO’s arm and that would feel like a few dozen spotlights were angled at us.

Over the past few weeks, I’d gotten used to some paps showing up at random places, snapping away or throwing a question here and there. Since I barely comment or acknowledge them more than an occasional smile, they kept a friendly distance, but it had given me some practice to be comfortable with the attention. After all, being with Sebastian, it was bound to follow me around.

But tonight’s event was going to be different—most of these people attending are ones I’ve worked with and I wish I could say for sure that they didn’t all hate me. It made me nervous.

That morning, I twisted my hair into big pin curls before spending the rest of the day doing the rest of my prep.

Sebastian spent the morning in his office before stretching out on the bed to watch me run around in a small terry cloth robe, slapping on one cream after another.

I was finally sitting down on the small writing desk I’d recently converted into a vanity table, doing my make up, when Sebastian looked up from the bed where he was hunched over the laptop I’d left there.

“Why are you reviewing your resume?” he asked in a voice that gave nothing away.

Drat!

I’d been making some revisions earlier while I was waiting for my nails to dry.

I tensed slightly but forced myself to casually glance over my shoulder at him. “I just wanted to update it with my recent position at TVG.”

He arched a dark brow at me, his face inscrutable. “And you updated the address to Rockford and the landline to the number here? Why would anyone in the company need to figure out how to get a hold of you? They all know.”

I couldn’t help but wince. “I know. Sometimes, that’s the problem.”

“Are you job-hunting?” he demanded, finally snapping. “Why in the world would you do that? You have a contract—”

“It’s something I’m thinking about after my contract expires,” I shot back, getting up on my feet and snatching my laptop away. “I can’t keep working there, Sebastian. Not when you’re the boss and I’m sleeping with you.”

His expression darkened. “I am not just sleeping with you. I live with you. I’m in a committed relationship with you. Hell, the only thing that’s missing is a ring on your finger and my last name on your dotted line.”

“If that’s how romantic you’ll be at winning my hand, Sebastian, then I can’t see how I can resist,” I replied sarcastically, glowering at him.

“If you don’t like staying as a senior business analyst, I’ll promote you,” he said mulishly. “Maybe like a director of market research or something?”

My jaw dropped open. “Are you insane? You don’t promote your fresh, college grad girlfriend to a director of anything! No one would respect me.”

“They will if they want to keep their jobs. I’ll do anything to make you stay, including tossing those who have a problem with it out the door.”

I groaned. “It’s just a job, Sebastian. My working somewhere else won’t mean I’m leaving you. Look at the address! I put in Rockford, didn’t I?”

“But you want to get away from me,” he insisted like a recalcitrant child. “You promised me you wouldn’t, remember?”

My eyes narrowed at the memory of him sneaking that promise out of me when I was half out of my mind with an orgasm. I didn’t resent the promise itself, just the way he cheapened that moment by having a hidden agenda. “I remember it all too well.”

“This is you leaving me.”

“I just want to work where my relationship doesn’t conflict with my job!” I exclaimed, throwing my hands up in the air. “Or where everyone else won’t be walking in egg shells around me, fearing your wrath at my displeasure.”

His lips thinned into a grim line as he studied me for a second.

“You can still open your bookstore,” he said quietly. “It can be your own company where you’re the boss. I’ll be completely out of the picture. It was my wedding present to you.”

I stilled, my heart fluttering. “It was, when you asked me four years ago and I said no.”

A muscled ticked in Sebastian’s jaw but after a second, he just shrugged. “Well, it’s still yours. It’s all in your name. If you want to do it, I’ll back you up with the capital—as a silent partner. When it’s up on its own two feet, you can buy me out. That way, it’s completely yours.”

“I’ve said this before—it’s too much,” I said with a sigh, turning back to the table.

I knew that in Sebastian’s mind, this wasn’t too much.

But for a twenty-two-year old, only-recently-prospering mother-to-be, starting my own bookstore business was too much.

But of course, he didn’t need know all of that yet.

After tonight, once I’ve told him, we can revisit this discussion.

For now, I just wanted us to enjoy the Christmas party—my first one with the company—without him going in all sorts of directions about the baby.

Sebastian must’ve sensed that the topic was now temporarily closed because he sighed as well and headed towards the bathroom, stripping off his shirt and pants.

“When you’ve made up your mind, let me know,” he said as he pressed a kiss on my neck before walking into the bathroom and closing the door behind him.

An hour and a half later, we arrived at Chateau Beaumont, a popular venue for large, swanky events such as weddings and various parties.

The vast main hall with the large, high-ceilinged ballroom primarily took up the entire chateau itself and extending from it was a massive conservatory that housed an immaculately designed garden surrounding a set of three small ponds with dainty wood bridges over each one. In daylight, sunshine would stream through the glass roof and walls and into the colorful landscape while in the evening the starlit sky fell over it like a sparkling curtain. The romantic French design and lush gardens gave it a sophisticated allure which appealed to a lot of high-profile events.

“You look beautiful, my love,” Sebastian murmured into my ear as he helped me out of the car by the chateau’s front steps, his lips brushing the small but heavy pearl and tear-drop emerald earrings he gave me tonight—a perfect match for my necklace and were once his mother’s. I didn’t want to accept another gift but I couldn’t refuse them.

I smiled at him and took a deep breath to steady my nerves.

I knew I looked good. I had put in a lot of effort into my look tonight and I was very happy with it.

Lexie had talked me into visiting Vienne, a favorite shop of hers owned by a friend of hers who was a local but sought-after gown designer. The designer herself wasn’t there but her small staff catered to us like we were VIPs. While browsing through some of the pre-made creations, I fell in love with a silky, one-shouldered column gown in eggshell pink, the empire cut under my bust belted with a thin velvet band in deep crimson which matched the cluster of small rosettes on the shoulder where the wispy upper bodice gathered. I worried that in my height, the dress would drown me but the narrow silhouette and the skirt flowing down to my ankles from the pleats under the waistband made gave the illusion of height.

My deep auburn hair glinted against the light in a soft mass of waves gathered in a loose side braid slung over my bare shoulder. I lost my tan from the summer and my creamy complexion showed off a light sprinkle of freckles along my shoulder blades.

With a light sweep of dewy blush, berry red lipstick and some mascara, I looked almost otherworldly, which probably stunned me more than it did Sebastian when he first saw me step out of the room.

Starkly handsome even in an old shirt and jeans, Sebastian looked superb in his dark gray suit and a tie that matched the red on my dress. I felt like a princess and he looked every inch my dark prince.

“Thank you.” I smiled up at him before slipping my arm through his and starting up the steps to the ballroom.

It was mostly employees and their guests who attended the party along with the rest of the Vice family and other friends of the company. Lexie, Marcus, Charlie, Jared and Michelle were in attendance. Brenda apparently was down in Florida for the weekend.

There was a cocktail hour where everyone mingled before the doors to the dining room opened—and I spent most of it flitting from one important guest to another on Sebastian’s arm.

He introduced me to some of the most important people in the company—members of the board, other investors and stakeholders. Despite my friendly smile and easy conversation with most of them, there were a few who had shot me a scrutinizing look when Sebastian wasn’t paying attention and I could tell that they were more than sizing me up—they were judging me and dismissing me after forming an opinion.

It stung, considering I was holding up well on my own, but I kept a polite smile on my face all throughout.

I didn’t want to ruin Sebastian’s night and knowing how far apart our worlds were, I’d expected it, sooner rather than later actually.

My analyst friends were huddling together by the photo booth which already sported a long line and I discreetly extricated myself from Sebastian’s side to make my way to them.

I’ve never seen any of them dressed so grandly but tonight, they all looked impressive in glittering gowns and sharp suits.

Chad was just teasing me about my ninny drink—I was having sparkling apple juice I was specifically provided after Sebastian firmly rapped out the order for it to a wide-eyed waiter—when someone said my name behind me.

The group fell into a hush and I turned around to find Stellan standing there, looking like a leading man plucked straight out of a romantic comedy in his black suit and charming smile.

“Stellan! It’s so good to see you!” I greeted him with a grin and a quick hug as he chuckled and bent down to kiss me on the cheek. “I didn’t know you’d be here tonight.”

“Sebastian asked,” he answered smoothly, stepping back to look at me and smiling in approval. “Seeing how lovely you look, it’s obvious he wanted to show off.”

I laughed and playfully slapped him on the shoulder, forgetting myself and the small crowd of my friends watching us in silent fascination.

“Oh, sorry, Stellan, these are all my friends from work and their guests,” I said as I slipped my arm through his and gestured to the group. “This is Bradley and Liam, Savannah and Carter, Chad and Sasha , Annette and Colin and Miriam and Kyle. Everyone, this is Stellan Cartwright.”

I actually felt the instinct to add my brother to the end of that statement but I quickly caught myself and realized that no one really knew that—not even Sebastian’s family yet.

“Pleased to meet some of Cassie’s friends,” he said with a warm smile and nod at everyone, some of them who’d quickly recovered from their fascination, returning it awkwardly. “It’s looking to be a great party and if none of you would mind, I’d like to steal Cassie for a little bit for a quick walk around the room before dinner starts.”

They all answered a flustered variety of responses similar to yes that I couldn’t resist a grin as Stellan steered me away, just as we both heard Savannah exclaim, “Why does she get all the hot, famous rich guys?”

“I think they have the wrong idea about us,” Stellan murmured to me with a boyish smile as I slipped my arm through his for our stroll around the ballroom.

I giggled. “If they only knew how wrong.”

“You know you can tell them, right?” he said with a little more seriousness this time. “Well, that is if you want to. We certainly want people to know that you’re part of our family but whether you want the same thing or not is totally up to you.”

I sighed. “I know. I appreciate how easily you’ve come to count me in but I’ve had twenty-two years of being mere Cassandra Collins and it takes a little longer for me to get used to the idea.”

“Oh, we completely understand, Cassie,” Stellan assured me, patting my hand on his arm. “Dad knows it will take time. He just hopes you don’t stay angry with him for too long.”

“I don’t even know if I’m really still angry with him any longer,” I admitted. “I was until you both showed up at the hospital. It was very different from what I expected that I guess I’m still a little stunned. In all the years, each time I imagined what it would be like meeting my father and his family, I always thought it would be a nasty confrontation but it wasn’t. You both have been very good to me.”

“You’re family. Of course we take care of our own. He would’ve come tonight, you know, if he wasn’t in Berlin for a week-long business trip. But I’m here to look after you.”

I looked up at Stellan and smiled.

It was really strange, to feel this nearly instantaneous bond with my brother but then he was Stellan Cartwright, and according to Sebastian, no one ever disliked him. He had that down-to-earth nature about him that drew people’s trust and even the most hard-hearted didn’t stand a chance against his innate goodness that showed through every smile, every word, every action.

“Are you here on your own?” I asked curiously. “Where’s your date?”

“No date,” he said with a wink. “I’m here for my baby sister.”

I wrinkled my nose. “I’m your other younger sister, not your baby sister. And what do you mean no date? You’re one of Cobalt Bay’s most eligible bachelors. Where’s the entire legion of dreamy-eyed ladies who are supposed to follow you around?”

“Legion?” he repeated, laughing softly. “I think I’m tainted by reputation. Unlike my other friends, I don’t go around dating one woman after another. I like to take my time getting to know a woman I’m interested in and pursuing a slightly more meaningful relationship with her for as long as we care to make it last.”

“Ah, God, you’re one of those monogamous males,” I said in mock-disbelief, making a gagging sound although secretly I was pleased that Stellan was such a decent guy. “You’re worse than your friends, you know?”

Raising a brow, he asked, “How could I possibly be?”

“You don’t pursue as many women,” I quipped pertly. “Statistically speaking, less women get to realize their fantasies of being in the arms of one such as you, even for just a fleeting moment. You’ll crush so many dreams.”

He blinked at me a couple of times before throwing his head back laughing. “Ah, Cassie. I must say, no matter which side I choose, men will never win this debate. We are either chasing after too many women or far too few.”

“Well, I’ll give it to you to choose the road less travelled,” I said with a cheeky smile as he just shook his head in amusement.

“You and Vivienne are definitely sisters,” he said as he tucked my arm under his. “There’s no question about that.”

He guided me the large spread of appetizers and hors d’oeuvres after I complained I hadn’t had anything to eat since lunch and we were just filling a small plate when someone fell into a step next to me, reaching for a plate of his own.

“Well, if it isn’t the little secretary making the rounds,” said the big, burly man and I looked up from his meaty fingers on his plate to his face.

It was Marshall Brentwell, TVG’s chief financial officer who was introduced to me earlier, and he had a lascivious look on his old, beefy face.

He glanced at Stellan who was chatting to an older woman a short distance from us by the buffet table and sneered at me. “Do you only stick to the billionaires or will any rich executive do? Because I’m high up enough to make you comfortable in TVG once Vice has gotten tired of you. Or is it just the pretty boys?”

I stiffened, steeling myself against the urge to smash my plate against his face.

“I’ll pretend I didn’t just hear you say that to me,” I warned in an undertone, grasping at the edges of my control. With his bloodshot eyes and sweaty upper lip, he looked like he was already sauced. “For your sake.”

He scoffed. “Oh, right. Still sleeping with the boss. Don’t want to get in the way of that. I bet you can get him to do anything you want when he’s rutting between your legs.”

“You have no idea of the line you just crossed, Brentwell,” a stern voice said behind me and I felt Stellan put his hands on my shoulders to gently move me out of the way. “Apologize to Cassandra.”

The man just arched an insolent brow. “Hey, Cartwright. You too, hey? I know you boys are pals but I didn’t know you shared your toys so well.”

“You are fired, Brentwell, and if you don’t quietly slip out of the party, I’ll toss you on your ass out on the street myself.”

We all looked up to find Sebastian standing there a foot away from us, his expression thunderous.

“Sebastian,” I started slowly, stepping next to him and putting a placating hand on his arm, but I nearly flinched when I felt the taut strength he was barely repressing in what clearly was an effort at keeping himself from hitting Brentwell in the middle of the party.

A bright red flush crept from under the man’s thick neck all the way up to his face as he put his plate down and glared at us. “See here, I was just having a nice, little chat with Ms. Collins here and—”

“Don’t make me repeat myself,” Sebastian interjected in a cold, disdainful voice dripping with warning. “If you don’t want my men to escort you out, leave now.”

The man pressed his lips together, teetering a little as he debated what to do, before shooting me a furious stare and pushing his way out, muttering loudly.

Sebastian loudly dragged a breath in before turning to me, his green eyes still burning.

“Are you alright?” he asked, tilting my chin up.

I nodded. “Yes, I’m fine. Really, you didn’t have to do that, Sebastian. Thank you for standing up for me but you didn’t have to fire him. He was going to apologize. Stellan was just telling him to.”

Sebastian glanced at my brother. “He wasn’t going to, Cassandra, and we all know it. Brentwell has always been a cocky son of a bitch. He’s good but not good enough to keep him when he was insulting you.”

I sighed. “You can’t fire everyone who thinks me a social-climbing gold-digger, you know? He’s not going to be the only one who will think that way.”