Page 108 of Broken King

I lookup from my seat at the table when Scarlet walks back into the suite. She stands by the door in a black pants suit with a soft gold shirt hugging her bump. Her auburn locks are down around her shoulders, and those damn heels she refuses to stop wearing make her legs look a mile long. She’s more beautiful today than she was the first time I saw her smile. And I’m the luckiest son of a bitch who ever walked this earth because she’s mine.

I’m so damn proud of her.

She’s worked her whole life for this, and she’s doing it on her own terms.

I couldn’t ask for a better example for our daughters.

She motions me over with a tilt of her head, and I realize her face is flushed red.

I quickly close the distance between us. “Is everything okay, duchess?”

“No.” The word comes out shaky, and she grasps my hands. “Daria just tried to get me to pay her off, and when I told her no, she threatened to kidnap Brynlee right out from under us.”

I raise my hands to her face. “Are you hurt?” I’ll fucking kill her.

Scarlet shakes her head. “I called for security, and they arrested her.” She motions her brother over, “Becket...”

He joins the two of us by the door of the suite. “What’s up? Is it my turn to swap boxes?”

“No.” Scarlet fills him in on everything she just told me, and my anger grows with each of her words. “So what do we do?”

“We go down to the station and fill out a report.” He looks at me. “Did you get the restraining order after the last time?”

“Yes. I was granted temporary restraining orders for Brynlee and me. We couldn’t get one for Scarlet. She has to stay at least five hundred feet from us at all times. We go to court next month for the permanent order.”

“Tell me there’s something we can do, Becks.” Scarlet is all but begging. “She said she’d take Brynlee.”

A look of determination crosses Becket’s face, and I’m reminded why I’m glad he’s on our side. Becks plays the part of the joker, but he’ll do anything to protect his family. Within or outside of the law. “Oh, don’t worry, little sister. We’ve got her.”

Scarlet and I leave the game early to drop Brynlee off with Rylie and Jillian before Becks meets us at the police station.

We spend the next hour with Scarlet and me giving our statements as they walk us through what needs to happen.

When we finally get back outside, Scarlet leans against the truck and rubs her belly. “So, what are we looking at, Becks?”

“Well, it’s two counts of violating a temporary restraining order because Cade and Brynlee were within five hundred feet of her. It’s one count of assaulting an officer, another count of criminal threats. She could be looking at five to ten years in prison. But it will probably be less with good behavior.” Becket hugs his sister. “She won’t be bothering you again for a long time.”

Scarlet kisses his cheek. “Thanks for your help, Becks. Love you.”

“Love you too. Now go home and celebrate. We won.” He throws us his patented, cocky grin.

I open the truck door for her, and Scarlet closes her eyes. “Winning a football game doesn’t seem so important right now.”

Becks covers his heart with his hands. “I never thought the day would come where I’d hear you say those words.”

“Whatever. Just don’t tell the others.” We watch him walk away, and she leans against my chest. “Well, today was more eventful than I planned.”

I help her into the truck and shut the door, rounding the front and climbing behind the wheel. “I texted Rylie. She and Jillian are keeping Brynn for the night. She’s already asleep.”

Scarlet closes her eyes. “I’m sorry, Cade. I didn’t know what else to do.”

I reach across the truck and pull her into my arms, needing to feel her. “You’re safe. Brynlee’s safe. That’s all that matters. I wish you hadn’t been put in that position in the first place. Maybe your family was right. Maybe a gilded cage is the way to go.” I kiss the top of her hair and inhale her vanilla-bourbon scent.

“Hey, we’ve been married for less than a week. I’m pretty sure I could still get an annulment.” She laughs against my chest, and I take my first deep breath since she walked into the suite and told me what happened.

“I’m sorry this happened at your first game.” I wish I could rip my ex apart with my bare hands.

“Hey.” She tilts her head up and kisses my jaw. “I’m okay with how today went because now it’s over. We told my family about us. My daughter saw her very first Kings game.” She kisses the other side. “The first of many. Hopefully, Daria is going to jail for years. And the Kings won. Do you know what would make this day perfect?”

I run my fingers through her hair. “No, but I like where you’re going with this, duchess.”

“A foot rub. I’ve been in three-inch heels for hours, and my swollen ankles are yelling at me.” She laughs and pulls away. “Let’s go home, Saint.”

“As you wish, duchess. As you wish.”

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