Page 137 of Claimed By The Other Brother

I look through the peephole.

Dax.

I open the door, and he's there, still in his suit from traveling, concern etched across his face.

"Scarlett." He steps inside and pulls me into his arms.

I let him hold me for a moment, breathing in his scent, feeling the solid warmth of him.

Then I pull back.

"How are you?" he asks.

"I've been better."

He searches my face. "Have you eaten? You look pale."

"I'm fine."

"You're not fine." He moves toward the kitchen.

"Let me make you something—"

"Dax, I need to go back to Chicago."

He stops. Turns. "What?"

"My boss wants me back. I have to meet with HR and the advisory board. Figure out what happens next."

"When?"

"I booked a flight for Thursday."

"That's two days from now."

"I know."

He walks back to me. "Scarlett, you don't have to go. We can handle this here. Together."

"I have to go. It'snot optional."

"Then I'll come with you."

"No."

His jaw tightens. "Why not?"

"Because this is my mess to clean up. My career. My decisions."

"This isn't just your mess. Those photos are of both of us. This scandal affects me too."

"But you're not the one who got suspended. You're not the one facing an ethics board."

"Scarlett—"

"I need some space, Dax." The words come out harsher than I intended.

"Everything is happening so fast. The photos, the fallout, Miles—I can't think straight."