She nodded slowly, grounding herself again. "Okay."
Ezra stepped back, scanning her appearance once more.
"You look perfect," he said.
Scarlett smirked faintly. "That's your way of saying I clean up well?"
"That's my way of saying people won't know what hit them."
She laughed softly, tension easing slightly.
A knock came at the suite door.
Henry's voice followed. "We're ready."
Ezra gave Scarlett one last look—longer this time.
Not just protective.
Anchoring.
"Stay close to me tonight," he said again.
Scarlett nodded. "Always."
And as they stepped toward the door together…
The villa outside felt different now.
Not peaceful.
Not romantic.
Waiting.
The private gathering upstairs felt like stepping into another world entirely.
