“Maybe that’s the point.”
Detonators don’t discriminate.
They take out everything nearby.
Including the person who set them.
"I know. But once we pull this trigger, you can't un-pull it. And you're going to be right in the middle of the fallout."
I look at him—at the bruise on his face, the care in his hands, the way his eyes miss nothing.
"I know what I'm signing up for," I say quietly. "Natalie deserves the truth. Grace deserves her tuition. And I deserve to finish this job and get paid."
His face tightens. "Is that all?"
"What do you mean?"
"Is this just about the job? About the money?"
My throat tightens. Because no. It's not just about themoney anymore. It's about Natalie, who's about to marry a man who'll break her heart. It's about proving I can do this—that I'm more than just a chaotic fixer with a GED and a dream.
And it's about West. About having forty-eight more hours with him before this all ends and I have to decide if I'm brave enough to ask for more.
But I don't say any of that.
"It's about doing what I was hired to do," I say instead. "The rest... we'll figure out later."
West's jaw tightens. "Later."
"After the wedding."
He nods once, decisive. Then he pulls me into his arms, hands settling on my hips—steady, grounding. I breathe.
“One more thing,” he says quietly. “When this goes public, I’m not stepping back.”
I look up at him.
“I’m stepping in,” he finishes. “Right next to you.”
My pulse stutters.
“So let’s do this right,” he says. “Tell me what you need.”
Relief floods me, mixed with a fresh wave of adrenaline.
"We need Blake to make a grand gesture. A declaration. A promise. Something public that makes Scarlett believe she’s lost to Natalie."
"Tonight at the bachelor party, I need you and the groomsmen make a big deal about Blake and Natalie's epic love story. Toast them. Get sappy. Really sell it."
"While Scarlett's somewhere nearby, watching."
"Exactly."
"And you're doing what at the bachelorette party?"
"Same thing. Hyping up Natalie's wedding. Her perfect relationship. How lucky she is." I roll onto my side to face him. "Scarlett's coordinating both events. She'll hear everything. See everything."
“We’ll make her paranoid. Make her panic. Make her confront him. Demand answers. Something we can catch on camera.” I meet his eyes, the plan locking into place.
