The words hung in the air between them, heavy with promise and possibility.
"I'm here to make sure you win."
Victoria's dark eyes held Alex's, fierce and warm and utterly certain. Her hand still rested on his chest, feeling his heartbeat... steady despite the intensity of everything that had just transpired.
For a moment, Alex simply stared at her, processing the magnitude of what she'd just offered.
Not acceptance. Not tolerance. But active, enthusiastic partnership in something most people would find impossible to understand.
"You're incredible," he said quietly, his Enhanced voice carrying weight that made Victoria's breath catch slightly. "You know that?"
Victoria's smile turned soft, genuine. "I'm practical. And selfish." Her fingers traced idle patterns on his chest.
"If you're going to build an empire through this system, I want to be standing beside you when you do."
