Skylar stared at the message for a long time.
"A jet is waiting for you. You know where to go."
Of course, he wouldn't ask. Christopher Blackwood didn't ask for things—he orchestrated them. Even now, sitting in the most powerful seat in the world, he still played the game the way he always had. Calculated. Absolute.
Her fingers hovered over the keyboard. Part of her wanted to ignore him—to make him wait, to remind him that he wasn't in control of everything. But the other part of her, the part that had spent nights thinking about the choices they made, knew the truth.
She was always going to go.
Sighing, she typed her reply.
SKYLAR: I hope you're not expecting me to just run to you.
The response was immediate.
CHRIS: I don't expect. I know.
That arrogance. That confidence. It irritated her—and yet, it was the very thing that made him who he was.
A knock at her door broke her thoughts. When she opened it, she wasn't surprised. Blackwood security.
"Miss Skylar, the jet is ready when you are."
She folded her arms, looking at the suited men in front of her. "And what if I say I'm not going?"
There was no hesitation. "Then we wait. But the president has instructed us to ensure your safe arrival."
Chris. Always two steps ahead.
Skylar rolled her eyes but grabbed her bag. "Fine. Let's get this over with."
THE BLACKWOOD JET
The luxury of the jet was familiar—sleek black leather seats, gold accents, a silent crew that didn't ask questions. It was a reminder of the world she had once lived in. The world she had tried to escape from.
As the engines roared to life, she exhaled, watching the city shrink beneath her. She was heading straight into the lion's den.
But then again, wasn't that where she had always belonged?
THE WHITE HOUSE – OVAL OFFICE
Chris stood by the window, watching the night settle over the city. He didn't check his phone, didn't need confirmation. She was coming.
Ethan leaned against the desk, arms crossed. "So, what's the plan here? You bring her in, say a few dramatic words, and she magically forgives everything?"
Chris didn't answer immediately. Instead, he turned, his expression unreadable. "No. I'm going to remind her of who we are."
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "And who is that?"
Chris's smirk was slow, confident.
"The two people who always get what they want."