Page 125 of The Grand Ruin: Lance & Scarlet-Part One

“Bad crazy?”

I shake my head.

He leans over me again, taking the phone from me and placing it on the mattress so he has my full attention. “I want you to be mine, Scar. For real.”

I can’t help my smile, and I don’t fight it. I can’t. He’s so unexpectedly adorable, and in this moment, nothing, not one thing, could make me believe this man isn’t perfect.

I brush my lips to his, nodding as I breathe him in—let the excitement of beinghissettle inside of me. “I want to tell Mase—”

He sighs as my gaze drifts to my dress discarded on the floor, my phone lodged in the deep pocket and lit up through the thin material.

“Crap.” I smile up at him.

Lance nuzzles my throat, kissing my jaw and then my lips before he lets me up. I quickly pick up the dress and pull out my phone.

Freya’s name flashes on the screen.

I frown and connect the call. “Frey?”

“Scarlet… darling.”

The hairs on the nape of my neck stand on end with the way she says my name, sending a shiver through my entire body.

“Hey,” I say, my smile faltering.

“Darling, are you able to come home?”

Within an instant, my chest turns to stone. Cold. So so cold.

I shake my head, my hand clenching the dress. “Why?”

She pauses, and I swear the ground shifts beneath my feet. “The doctor’s here. Are you close?”

“You’re at the house?”

“Yes…” Her breath catches, sounding shaky. “Yes, I’m at the house… Scarlet…”

Cold. I feel so cold. From the very depths of me, it’s as if it’s burning me from the inside out.

“Why are you doing this to me, Frey?”

“Darling, please… I’m sorry.”

No.

No.

I frown as tears fill my eyes.

“Scarlet—” Lance steps into me, his hands trying to hold me, but I can’t. I can’t stand the touch of his hands when my body is in agony.

No.

“I’m coming. I’m coming right now.”

I pull my dress over my head and rush from the room and down the stairs.

“I’m coming, Frey.”

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