Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 315

James froze for a second, then took her soft, slender hand and pressed a kiss to her knuckles.

“Yeah.”

Emmy hesitated, then asked, “Is Claudia after you again?”

James’s grip tightened around her arm. “Not this time. She’s coming for you and your mom.”

Emmy’s body went rigid as she suddenly sat up in his arms. “But if she’s after us, it can’t be about the military. Does this have something to do with the people backing Claudia?”

James met her clear, searching gaze and nodded slowly.

He hadn’t expected her to connect so many dots from just a few hints.

Emmy’s mind raced, dread creeping in. “So the people behind Claudia… are they the same ones the military wants to take down—”

Before she could finish, James covered her mouth with a kiss.

It was quick and gentle, barely a brush.

He spoke in a low, serious voice. “It’s enough that you understand. Don’t say it out loud.”

Shock rippled through Emmy.

Suddenly, she remembered what happened at Pine Peak—how James was almost in danger, the men Claudia had sent… Maybe they were more than just mercenaries.

She grabbed James’s hand, gripping it tight. “Does this mean you’re in danger?”

He saw the worry in her eyes and turned his hand to cradle hers, his thumb gently tracing over her fingertips. Then he gave her a crooked little smile.

“Don’t stress,” he said, that roguish edge sneaking into his voice, “even if I couldn’t protect myself, I’d still keep your husband safe. I’m not about to let you become a widow and remarry someone else.”

Just like that, the heavy tension broke.

Emmy burst out laughing, the weight she’d been carrying all night finally lifting.

She gave him a playful punch. “Stop messing around. Is there anything I can actually do?”

James pulled her close again, his chin nuzzling her cheek as he murmured, “Nope. Just keep an eye on the people around you. Watch for anyone who might turn.”

Emmy’s eyes lit up. “Honestly, I think I’ll be safe at least until after the AI competition.”

“Evelina’s already used people close to me twice to steal my system. Both times, she came away with something big.”

“She’s a serial thief—there’s no way she’d let a third chance go. So until the competition ends, she’ll make sure nothing happens to me.”

She’d nearly pieced together everything that had passed between him and Lorelei.

Except for one thing.

His voice was soft and steady. “Lorelei and I were just teammates. Nothing more. There’s never been anything romantic between us.”

Emmy blinked. “But anyone can see she likes you.”

James’s frown deepened. For once, he looked honestly flustered, like he didn’t know how to answer.

Emmy couldn’t help but laugh at his rare embarrassment. She shrugged.

“It’s not your fault she likes you.” She reached up and tugged his handsome cheeks with both hands, stretching them. “That’s what you get for being so good-looking.”

James’s eyes darkened in an instant. He grabbed her mischievous hands, and before she could react, he rolled her under him on the couch.

His throat worked as he swallowed, letting go of the last of his restraint as he leaned down and kissed her.

Emmy sighed, closing her eyes and wrapping her arms around his neck.

She let James sweep her up in his arms, carrying her in long strides straight toward the bedroom.