All Chapters of Under His Watchful Eyes : Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

I woke up wrapped in Julian’s muscular arm slung securely over my waist, pulling my back flush against his broad chest. His breathing was slow and deep, his face buried in the loose waves of my blonde hair. Even in his sleep, his grip on me was unyielding—as if he were constantly making sure I hadn't vanished into thin air.I shifted slightly, turning around within his embrace to face him. The sudden movement made him stir. His long eyelashes fluttered open, and those ocean-blue eyes focused on me instantly, instantly clearing of sleep."You're still here," Julian murmured, his voice incredibly deep, rough, and gravelly from sleep. A soft, breathless smile touched his lips, a rare look that he only ever showed to me in the dark of this room."I told you I wasn't running anymore," I whispered softly. I raised my hand, my fingers gently tracing the sharp line of his jaw, feeling the slight prickle of morning stubble.Julian’s breath hitched at my touch. He didn't hesitate; he leaned

"You're late, Julian," Arthur said. He set his coffee cup down on the table . "The board was just discussing your public meltdown last night. Your little stunt with the fugitive's daughter cost our stock price three points at the opening bell.""The meeting hasn't officially started, Arthur," Julian said. He pulled out a heavy leather chair. "Sit here, Elena."I sat down and looked straight at Arthur.Julian slammed his hands flat against the table. "And as for the stock price, it’s already rebounding. Investors don't care about my personal life. They care about profit."Arthur laughed. "They care about stability. And a CEO who throws away a multi-billion-dollar alliance with the Montgomerys because of a decade-long fixation is not stable. I’ve already gathered the signatures, Julian. We are voting to suspend your executive powers today.""With what shares, Arthur?" I asked.Arthur’s eyes snapped to me. "Keep your mouth shut, girl. You don't have a seat at this table.""Actually, sh

Elena’s PoVThe elevator ride down to the lobby was silent.Julian Vane's hand never left Elena Vance's waist. The gold Vane Seal ring heavy on Elena's finger.When the doors hissed open on the ground floor, flashbulbs went off.Not paparazzi. Lawyers. Three men in black suits standing behind Vivienne Montgomery. Vivienne holding a small black USB drive between her diamond nails."Smile, Julian," Vivienne purred, her voice sweet and lethal. "For your father."Julian stepped in front of Elena, blocking Vivienne's view."Vivienne, you have thirty seconds to get off Vane property," Julian said, his ocean blue eyes ice.Vivienne laughed. "Or what? You'll buy my family again? You already called in our loans, Julian. You bankrupted the Montgomerys at midnight to get your precious fifteen percent."Elena felt Julian stiffen.Vivienne turned her hateful gaze to Elena. "And you, Elena. Do you know what is on this drive? Arthur gave it to me. Your father's forced confession. How Thomas Vance st

Julian Vane leads Elena Vance to study.Elena's hand is still in Julian's hand, gold Vane Seal ring heavy, cold, real on Elena's finger. The private executive elevator hissed shut behind Elena and Julian, vacuum hum fading as doors closed on lobby where Julian had crushed Vivienne Montgomery's USB drive under his shoe.Penthouse is silent. Replica bedroom down hall, replica childhood built behind bookshelf Elena never touched. Lemon drop box still in Elena's drawer upstairs, star necklace, tarnished star pendant, last thing Elena's mother gave Elena before she passed. Sarah Jenkins text glows on Elena's phone screen: Check top drawer again. Room behind bookshelf. Red ribbons. - SElena shows Julian phone again.Julian's ocean blue eyes drop to text, then to Elena's face. Julian's broad shoulders rigid, hands flat at sides, knuckles white, same as boardroom after Julian slammed hands on table and stripped Arthur Vane."You aren't ready, Elena Vance," Julian says, voice low melodic hu

Julian Vane lunges at Mark Thorne.Mark swings the knife. Julian grabs his wrist. Both hit Elena's old car. The alarm blares."Get back," Julian says to Elena.Elena does not get back. She runs forward and kicks Mark's leg.Mark screams and drops the knife. It clatters on concrete.Julian picks up the knife and throws it far. It slides under a black SUV."You were supposed to scare her," Julian says to Mark. His voice is low and angry. "Not cut her. I paid you to scare her into my elevator. Nothing more."Mark holds his wrist. "You stopped paying. I need money.""I stopped because you kept following her after I told you to stop," Julian says.Sarah Jenkins pulls Elena back."Elena, come," Sarah says."No," Elena says. She looks at Mark. "Did Julian tell you to hold a knife to me in the alley that first night?"Mark nods. "He gave me your schedule. He said stand by the dumpster at one fourteen. You will run. He will be in Elevator B."Elena looks at Julian."Is that true?" she asks.Ju