“Ryan stays,” Scarlett states, her voice powerful and clear. Those blue eyes, glittering a few minutes ago, are now cold and unmoving, trained on my boss across the conference table.

Just when I think he’s going to double down, he nods once. “Fine.”

Quickly, I sink into the empty chair in front of me before he can change his mind, but Scarlett remains standing. For a second, I think about standing again, holding her hand and helping her get through this, but I stay where I am. I have to trust that she can do this on her own.

She clears her throat and meets the eyes of each person in the room in turn. “Thank you for meeting me on such short notice.”

“We are glad you called this meeting, actually.” Anastasios motions to one of the others for some papers. “There are a few finer points of your new contract that we’d like to go over—”

“All due respect, Mr. Martis,” she interrupts, “but I’d appreciate it if you would let me talk.”

The entire room goes still. Anastasios sets the papers down with the control of someone who is not used to being talked to like this. But he must also know that his hold on this entire situation is flimsy at best because he folds his hands on the table in front of him and says, “Of course.”

“Thank you.” Scarlett takes a big breath. “Originally, I was coming here today to tell you that I will not be signing a new contract, that I was pulling Becoming from publication. I even had Trina draw up a plan to reimburse you for the resources you’ve already spent on this project so there would be no hard feelings, unlike last time.” Her lips twitch against a grin at her own dry sarcasm, and little bubbles of pride start to rise up in my chest. Even in giving up on this book, she’s not going to let them have any reason to fault her.

Everyone in the room collectively stiffens, but they must read the determined look on her face because no one says anything. She takes a sip of the water on the table in front of her before she continues.

“I know you are aware of Charles Hall’s involvement in all of this. I also know that you, sir”—she addresses Anastasios—“had a major hand in ensuring that the deals he thought he’d get out of his information were rescinded. Thank you for that.”

He nods at her again, this time a small smirk twisting his lips. He must have enjoyed taking that asshole down. I can’t blame him.