Chapter 111
Chapter 111:
“Good news?” Eliza asked, sensing the shift in him.
“Justice,” he corrected. He shoved the phone back into his pocket. “Let’s race back p>
Before she could question him, he clicked his tongue and the stallion bolted. Eliza laughed — a sound of genuine, startled joy — and urged Duchess to follow. For ten minutes there was no Anson, no debt, no contract. Just the wind, the speed, and the man riding ahead of her, cutting a path through the world as if clearing the way for her to follow.
When they returned to the stable, Eliza was breathless, her skin glowing. Dallas dismounted first and came to her side. He didn’t wait for her to find the ground — he grasped her waist and lifted her down. Her body slid along the length of his, the friction sending a spark straight through her. Her boots hit the dirt, but he didn’t let go.
𝗜𝘯ѕt𝗮ո𝘁 𝘢сces𝘀 𝗈ո
“Happy?” he asked. His eyes had dropped to her mouth.
“Yes,” she breathed.
And it was the truth.
The sun was setting as the black SUV glided back toward the city. The weight of Hyde Manor was gone, replaced by a light, airy sense of freedom. Eliza felt clean.
“I thought we were going to the penthouse,” she said, watching the familiar skyline approach.
“Change of plans,” Dallas replied, his eyes on the road. “The penthouse was mine. We need a place that’s ours.” He signaled the driver to take the exit toward the northern hills, away from the crowded downtown district.
Before she could process that, her phone rang. The screen flashed a name she had hoped never to see again: Anson. She let it ring — it started again immediately, insistent.
“He won’t stop,” Dallas said, his voice flat. “Answer it. On speaker p>
Eliza’s hand trembled slightly as she accepted the call. “What do you want, Anson p>
“Where are you?” Anson’s voice came out as a ragged bark, tight with fury. “The nurse said you left. For good. You were supposed to stay the week p>
“The agreement was fulfilled, Anson,” Eliza said, her voice colder than she expected. “There’s nothing left for me there p>
Dallas reached over and took her hand, his thumb stroking her knuckles — a silent transfer of strength.
“So you just run off to him?” Anson sneered. “Have you seen the news? Or were you too busy playing house to notice the world burning p>
Eliza looked at Dallas, her brow furrowing. “What are you talking about p>
“Chapman Retail!” Anson roared. “The stock has been wiped out. There was a scandal — rumors that Claudine’s ‘dog’ bit a member of the Koch family. The press is eating it up. A ‘violent incident’ at a private party. Dallas Koch pulled every cent of funding. He’s calling in loans. He is ruining her father p>
Eliza went still. The air in her lungs turned to ice.
Her dog bit a Koch.