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Give up. You won’t survive me.
I stared at the message, something dark and protective rising inside me.
“She’s trying to scare you,” I said, voice tight with controlled anger. “Trying to push you over the edge, hoping you’ll crumble.”
Scarlett’s eyes burned with defiance. “She doesn’t know me very well, then.”
My lips quirked slightly, pride swelling in my chest.That’s my girl.
I reached out and cupped the back of her neck, my thumb brushing over her pulse. “We end this, Scarlett. Together.”
She let out a breath, leaning into my touch. “How?”
I hesitated, knowing what I was about to say might scare her. But she deserved the truth.
“I have a plan,” I said slowly. “A way to expose Victoria. Publicly. But I need your cooperation.”
Scarlett lifted her chin. “Tell me everything.”
Her determination sent a rush of heat through me, and in that moment, I wanted her more than I ever had before.
Not just because she was beautiful. Not just because she was carrying my child.
Because she was strong. Because she stood her ground. Because she was mine.
I closed the space between us in an instant, claiming her lips in a kiss that left no room for hesitation.
She gasped against my mouth, but her arms wrapped around my neck, pulling me deeper into her.
I walked her backward, our bodies pressing together as heat flared between us.
I needed her. Needed her in every possible way.
I broke the kiss just long enough to whisper against her lips, “I love you.”
Scarlett stilled, her breath catching.
Then, slowly, she smiled.
“I love you too.”
I groaned, kissing her harder, deeper.
I would fight for her. For our child.
And together, we would end Victoria’s reign of sabotage once and for all.
As Scarlett caught her breath, she looked up at me, eyes searching. “What’s the plan?”
I exhaled, my hands framing her face. “We expose Victoria. We take this fight public.”
Her eyes widened slightly, but she didn’t pull away.
Instead, she nodded. “Let’s do it.”
15
SCARLETT