closing in, and the walls around her secret life crumbled fast. The message f

ecting her children, hiding them from Damien's reach. But now, it

nded as she took a deep breath and stood. When she opened t

e said. "We have

frowned

d into a smirk

r hands in her lap, stealing glances at Damien. He looked unusually composed, but that wa

an upscale restaurant, she

r back and led her inside. The restaurant was dimly lit, intimate,

she saw the man sitting at the r

The man fr

ered, pulling out

ning. The man watched her with a neutral expression, but there w

gether. "Scarlett, meet Adrian Langford.

to Adrian, her voice calm despite h

ked. "Oh, b

has information about you, Scarl

tay composed. "And why shoul

expression darkening. "Beca

her lungs. Scarlett froz

s entire body tensing. "Twins?"

ien found out the truth right here, in front of a stranger, sh

about," she said smoothly, tur

I?" He pulled a phone from his po

's blood

hildren. Of them laughing

e swiped through the photos in silence, each one a blade

t the phone do

ared for this moment for years, yet she wasn't ready. T

I

burst open, and three men in dark suits stormed i

. "Damn it." He shot Scarlett

rist, yanking her up from her chair. Damien

ywhere," he growled, grab

into screams. Scarlett's pulse raced as she found herself caught

go!" she

. Glass shattered.

lled her behind him, shielding her. More gunshots followed, and

amming against her ribs. She had to get away. She had to protect her children. B

mi

athing ragged. "You're not

heaved. "L

"Not until you te

p, the heat in his stare-it was too much. Scarlett f

er eyes, but she refused to l

is gaze-hurt, betrayal,

hesi

he or

e game had changed. The truth was o

a word, but his grip on the steering wheel was tight, his knuck

ne and turned to her. His voice was qu

ught. The moment she

wing there was no turni

n, he let out a slow, dark laugh, shaking his hea

voice was thick with

own eyes wet. "I did what I

air. His usual composed demeanor was slipping. "And

"You swore you'd kill the

s if trying to contain the storm inside him. Then he turn

oice edged with steel. "And you a

itched. A new fear

le had j