Page 146 of Filthy Royal

But even after winning thousands of fights, becoming the Skolov Enforcer, and cracking numerous heads to keep those he loved safe, he couldn’t quite shake the fear that he hadn’t done enough to be worthy of their sacrifice.

So even the whiff of a suggestion that Scarlett had seen his failings and dismissed him as nothing more than a useless, immature youngling had struck a chord deep inside.

“Did you think I was too big a risk because I was younger than you and not established?” He pushed when she didn’t answer. “The younger brother who’d never make his mark? I get it. I—”

“No!” She grasped his hands once more. “I always knew you were the one soul in this galaxy who could be counted on. I always knew, too, that you’d do great things. Th-that’s part of the reason I had to let you go.”

One question answered, a million more suddenly springing to the fore.

But that look was back, the one where she stared at him as if he were a hero, as if he could not only crush every fighter in the ring but also conquer the galaxy.

Seeing it now, after so long… he realized he’d missed it so fucking much.

“Scarlett.” He drew her to him, and she let him.

His gaze dropped from the haze of need in her eyes to the pink temptation of her lips.

Footfalls sounded in the corridor outside the room, followed by an unfamiliar barking voice. “You know the drill. Check every hiding place. Our orders are to find the omega. If you come across anyone else, take them out. Then, with or without the female, we get out. None of us wants to still be here when stage two begins.”

The guards had arrived.

19

SCARLETT

It took Scarlett a moment to register that her astonishing, heartfelt moment with Damien had been interrupted.

He, on the other hand, reacted immediately.

Moving fast, he grabbed his cloak off the floor, then hauled her to him.

Before she’d even blinked, he’d tucked her beneath his arm as if she weighed nothing. Even lovelier, he was somehow mindful not to hold her around her bruised ribs as he hustled for the best hiding spot in the room.

Being careful with her. After finding out that her contract with Kadon was a sham.

She hadn’t dared hope for such a reaction, but it felt real.

Still…

“I can run,” she whispered.

“I’m faster,” he hissed back.

True. So she shut up.

Not to mention she was grateful he’d chosen this strategy rather than deciding to stay and fight. She knew he didn’t like retreating—combat was in a cage-fighting Enforcer Alpha’s blood—but neither of them had any idea how many guards were in the corridor.

Find the omega.

She should have known Darvish would never let her go so easily. A development that would have worked great for her ultimate plan, except she didn’t want Damien killed in the process.

She’d never wanted that. Ever.

Even before he’d done the extraordinary and gotten on his comms to request his brothers’ help in rescuing Ebony and Amber, what she’d wanted was this… Him holding her close. Handling her like she was something precious. The way he used to touch her.

But soon enough, Damien’s brother would analyze what was on those vids, and the rest of her secrets would likely come to light.

Then she feared Damien might not hold her at all.

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