One Year To Make Him Remember

SCARLETT'S POV

The Chapel of Eternal Love smelled like cheap perfume and broken promises. My fingers tightened around the champagne flute, the glass slick with condensation. The liquid inside had been laced with enough sedative to drop a horse, or so the chemist had promised. Yet Xavier Cross stood before me, his ice-blue eyes clear and alert, watching me like a predator studying its next meal. Damn it.

I had planned this perfectly. The drugged champagne. The fake documents. The escape route mapped out in my mind. But Xavier wasn't slurring his words. He wasn't swaying on his feet. He was just... smirking. "Something wrong, sweetheart?" he murmured, his voice like velvet wrapped around a blade. I forced a smile, tilting my head. "Just admiring the décor. You really went all out for our special day."

The Elvis impersonator-his gold cape frayed at the edges, his sideburns peeling-grinned at us with yellowed teeth. "By the power vested in me by the great state of Nevada, I now pronounce you man and wife!" A camera flash exploded in my face, blinding me for a split second. When my vision cleared, Xavier was already crowding into my space, his hands settling on my waist like he owned me. "Smile for the cameras, darling," he murmured, his breath warm against my ear. "Wouldn't want our happy union to look forced, would we?" I forced a laugh, tilting my head like a blushing bride. "Oh, I don't know. I think forced is exactly what this is." His grip tightened, fingers digging into the lace of my dress. "Then you'll love what comes next." Before I could react, his lips crashed against mine. The kiss was brutal, possessive-a performance for the crowd. I bit down hard, tasting blood. He pulled back just enough to smirk. "You fight dirty." "You have no idea," I whispered. Then I drove my knee into his groin.

XAVIER'S POV

Pain radiated through me like a shockwave. Christ. I doubled over, my vision swimming, but not before I saw the flash of satisfaction in her eyes. This woman was going to be trouble. She moved like a trained fighter, twisting the Glock from my waistband before I could straighten.

The cold muzzle pressed against my forehead, her finger resting lightly on the trigger. "Lesson one," she said, her voice sweet as poisoned honey. "Never underestimate a Vaughn." I grinned through the pain, blood dripping from my nose. "You still don't remember, do you?" Her brow furrowed slightly. "Remember what?" "That I always win."

I struck fast-my fist connecting with her temple. She crumpled like a marionette with its strings cut. The chapel doors burst open. Men in black tactical gear poured in, weapons raised. "Sir?" one of them barked. I didn't take my eyes off her. "Get her in the car." As I hauled her over my shoulder, her hair spilled down my back like dark silk. "Welcome to hell, Mrs. Cross," I murmured. Somewhere in the shadows, a phone buzzed with a single, ominous message: "He remembers."

SCARLETT

Consciousness returned in slow, painful waves. My head throbbed, my wrists bound with zip ties. The leather seat beneath me was cool, the hum of the engine vibrating through my bones. I blinked, forcing my vision to focus. Xavier sat across from me, cleaning blood from his knuckles with a handkerchief. "Finally awake," he said, not looking up. "I was starting to think I hit you too hard." I tested the restraints. "You hit like a toddler." That got his attention. His gaze lifted, sharp as a scalpel. "And yet here you are. Tied up. In my car." "Temporary setbacks," I said, rolling my shoulders. "You really think these will hold me?" He leaned forward, elbows on his knees. "No. But I think this will." From his pocket, he pulled a small silver key-the one I'd hidden in my boot.

The one that unlocked the safe deposit box containing every piece of blackmail I had on him. My stomach dropped. "You..." "Told you," he said softly. "I always win." The car hit a pothole, jostling us. Outside, the desert stretched endlessly, the sky bruised with twilight. "Where are you taking me?" I demanded. Xavier smiled. "Someplace you can't run from me again." I exhaled slowly, calculating. "You're forgetting one thing." "Oh?" I lunged-not at him, but at the door handle. The car swerved violently as I threw my weight against it. Xavier cursed, grabbing for me. "You insane" The door flew open. Wind roared in my ears. And then I was falling.

XAVIER

She was gone before I could stop her. The car screeched to a halt, dust billowing around us. My men spilled out, weapons drawn, scanning the darkened roadside. "Find her," I snapped. But I already knew. Scarlett Vaughn didn't run from danger. She ran toward it. And God help me, I loved that about her. My phone buzzed again. Another message. "She's not the only one who remembers." I stared at the words, my jaw tightening. This wasn't over. It was only just beginning.