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AUDREY

“Have you seen my belt, baby?”Reign asks, pulling on his jeans. “The black leather one?”

I look up from dropping my last pair of jeans into the suitcase. “Um, maybe check the chair by the window? I think you tossed it over there last night.”

It’s early the next morning, and Reign and I are packing for our escape to Montana. The house is still quiet, most everyone sleeping off last night’s post-fight celebrations. Even the staff won’t be up for another hour.

He finds his belt and slides it through the loops, the leather making that familiar whisper of sound. I close my suitcase and sit on the edge of the bed, watching him get dressed. There’s something surreal about this moment, like I’m living someone else’s life.

“I can’t believe we’re really doing this,” I whisper. “In a few hours, we’ll be on a plane to Montana. Starting over.”

Reign pauses in buttoning his shirt, his eyes finding mine across the room. “Having second thoughts?”

“No.” The answer comes without hesitation. “The opposite actually. I’m just... I never thought I’d have the courage to walk away from all this.”

He crosses to me in three quick strides, cupping my face in his hands. “You’re the bravest woman I know, Audrey. You’re choosing your own life over everyone else’s expectations. That takes more courage than most people have.”

Before I can respond, his mouth is on mine. I melt into the kiss, my hands fisting in his shirt, pulling him closer. This is what I’m choosing. This man, this love, this future we’re building together.

His phone buzzes against the nightstand.

“Ignore it,” I murmur against his lips.

It stops, then immediately starts buzzing again.

Reign pulls back with a frustrated growl. “Fuck. It might be important.”

He grabs the phone, frowning at the display. “Marcus. He wouldn’t call unless...” He swipes to answer. “What’s wrong?”

I watch his face change as he listens, the easy warmth from moments before replaced by sharp focus. His jaw tightens, and he runs a hand through his hair.

“How bad?” A pause. “No, I’ll come to you. Give me forty minutes.”

He ends the call, and I can see the tension radiating through his shoulders.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, though I already know this isn’t good news.

“There’s been a slight issue. I need to go meet Marcus before we had out.” He’s already reaching for his jacket. “Just some security stuff for a client. Shouldn’t take long, but I need to handle it personally.”

“It’s fine,” I say quickly, forcing brightness into my voice. “You go help Marcus. I’ll meet you at the airstrip at noon.”

Reign frowns as he studies my face. “I don’t like leaving you alone.”

“It’s two hours, Reign. I’ll finish packing, handle things here, and meet you there.” I wave him off dismissively. “Besides, I need to talk to Lucille anyway. Better to get it over with.”

“Are you sure?” His eyes search mine, looking for any sign of doubt. “Because if you’re not comfortable?—”

“I’m sure.” I stand and kiss him quickly. “Go. The sooner you deal with whatever this is, the sooner we can leave.”

He hesitates for another moment, then nods. “Noon. Don’t be late.”

“I won’t be.”

One last kiss, deeper this time, full of promise and heat. Then he’s at my window, swinging his leg over the sill.

“I love you,” he says.

“I love you, too. Now go.”