Page 52 of Until You (Forgive Me)

“Sex doesn’t just happen. It’s a conscious thought, a choice. Your penis did not just accidentally find its way into her vagina!”

Christian barked with laughter at his sister’s words. He could always trust Scarlett to lower the tone. “True, but it also wasn’t something contrived. I like her...”

Scarlett’s eyes flew to his, as if she was checking out the validity of his words.

“Oh,” was all she managed, a look of confusion crossing her brow.

Christian pulled back. “Our relationship is complicated. This wasn’t supposed to happen. If I could change it, I would. Isabella is an entity all on her own who is currently in free fall. All I can do is to be there and catch her when she lands.”

“We will, together,” Scarlett said. She stood up, staring down at him. “I’m going to go. I’m not heading back to the US until I’ve spoken to Izzy. Cara is taking over the video shoot. The dances are all choreographed, and the dancers know what they’re doing. It can run without me. This is more important.” Scarlett headed to the door. She turned to face him, her eyes locking with his. “I’m here for you, too. You’re my brother, Christian, and I stand by you. Even if I’m mad at you.”

Christian stood up and moved to his sister, pulling her into his arms, her head resting on his chest. “I love you too, little sis. We’ve got this. We’ll get Isabella through this. She has us, and we’re stronger together. We just have to convince her she’s not alone.”

Christian felt Scarlett’s head move against his chest.

“Now get out of here. I have a business to run and a woman to track down. If you hear from her, call me immediately,” Christian said, stepping back.

Scarlett nodded and walked out. He smiled as he heard her apologise to Lucy. Typical Scarlett. He was glad she’d followed her dreams and entered the music business. Dance and music had been her passion since being a little girl. Their father had tried to curb her dreams, but when Christian had taken over the company, he’d wanted her away from the toxicity of the family business. To ensure she was safe, he’d enrolled her in a US dance academy. It had taken her away from Isabella and her friends, but he’d known she was out of harm’s way. He would always do that. Now she was doing what she loved, and he couldn’t be happier.

Chapter Twenty-four

Isabella

Isabella was on her second coffee when she saw Scarlett leave Christian’s office. Her friend scowled at the reporters, who had clearly asked her something. Instead, shutting them down and marching off. Isabella left her coffee and set off after her friend. Careful to keep her head down and away from the prying eyes that were clearly focused on Christian’s building rather than the surrounding area.

She spotted Scarlett, waiting at least three streets away before finally catching up with her.

“Scarlett,” she said, her voice slightly breathless from running the final few metres. She had misjudged her friend’s pace, especially when agitated.

“Izzy?” She squealed, spinning around and pulling her into her arms. Isabella almost groaned at the amount of attention her friend had just drawn their way. “Oh my god, you’re safe,” she said in a whispered hush. “We need to get you out of here.”

Without waiting another minute, she pulled Isabella towards the curb and hailed a passing taxi, which, by some miracle, stopped instantly.

The look on Isabella’s face had Scarlett grinning.

“The joys of living in New York for years. You get pretty good at hailing cabs.”

Isabella didn’t argue. She simply climbed into the taxi behind Scarlett, who was busy giving the taxi driver her address. Scarlett scowled as the taxi driver gave Isabella a double take, glancing at the newspaper on the seat next to him and back again.

“There’ll be a large tip if you keep your eyes forward and your mouth closed,” Scarlett said.

“No tip needed,” he said, smiling at Isabella. “Your destination is safe with me. I have enough famous people in my taxi. The things I see and hear.”

He said no more. Instead, he pulled out into the flow of traffic and switched off the comms between them.

“Well, it’s too late even if he doesn’t,” Scarlett added. “You really have created quite the storm.”

Isabella grimaced at her words.

“My brother... really!”

Isabella knew her cheeks had turned a darker shade of puce under her friend’s scrutiny.

“If it was anyone else, you’d know I’d want all the details... but we are not going to go there. I love you, but... no.”

Isabella smirked until she could no longer hold her laughter in. It was not long before they were both laughing so hard, the tears started to roll.

“I always knew you had an almighty crush on him,” Scarlett said when she had finally got herself under control and had wiped away the tears.

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