Page 90 of Pastel Kisses

I brace myself, trying to find any opening to escape, but she’s already in motion. A sharp, sudden impact against my ribs. The breath whooshes from my lungs, and I collapse to my knees, gasping. The pain is hot and searing, but I bite back a cry. I can’t let her win.

I scramble, dragging myself across the floor, my arm wrapped tightly over my stomach. Protecting my baby is all I can think about. I can hear her behind me, talking to herself, her footsteps following me. A chill runs down my spine, but I don’t stop. I can’t.

She catches up to me in seconds, pinning my hand beneath the heel of her shoe. The pressure is sharp and unforgiving, but I grit my teeth and swallow the cry threatening to rise. “You won’t get away with this,” I whisper, the words tight and urgent as I glance toward the door, silently pleading for someone—anyone—to hear. The guys should be back any minute now… but will they make it in time?

She crouches beside me, her eyes wide and unsettling, her smile soft in a way that sends a fresh wave of fear down my spine. “You’re so persistent,” she murmurs, brushing hair from my face like we’re old friends. “But you’re far enough along now that our little one can join the world. And tonight’s the night.”

I go still, my stomach twisting at her words. She glances toward Jaxton, still unconscious on the floor, and my blood runs cold as she moves closer to him.

“No,” I whisper, barely able to speak.

She looks back at me with calm certainty, tapping her fingers thoughtfully. “Then be smart. Don’t push me. Stay quiet. Cooperate. Because if you don’t…” She trails off, eyes flicking to Jaxton with dangerous intent.

The warning is clear.

I press a trembling hand over my belly, my heart pounding so loudly it echoes in my ears. Every breath feels like a countdown. I pray—silently, fiercely—that help is on the way. Because one thing is certain: I won’t let her hurt him. And Iwon’tlet her touch our baby.

Giving in is not an option. Letting her take my child—cut my baby out—is unthinkable. If she wants a showdown, she’s going to get one. My pulse races, faster than my thoughts can keep up, sending dizzy sparks dancing at the edges of my vision. I can’t pass out. Iwon’t. If I fall now, she wins. She takes everything.

I force myself to breathe slower, to fight past the haze. My mind scrambles for a plan, something—anything—that will buy us time. And then it hits me.

I stop crawling. Let my body slump a little. I lift one shaky hand in surrender, pretending to give in. “I can’t,” I whisper, loud enough for her to hear. “I don’t have the strength to keep running.” It’s not a lie. I’m exhausted. But I need her to believe I’ve accepted defeat. “Just… please,” I add, my voice cracking, “let me say goodbye to Jaxton. He’s not a threat. Please. Just let me say goodbye.”

The flicker in her eyes tells me I’ve said exactly what she wants to hear—her idea of victory. She craves control, and giving her even the illusion of it makes her pause.

“Fine,” she says, gesturing with the baton toward Jaxton’s slumped body. “Make it quick. And don’t cry all over him.” Her lip curls in disgust, like grief is something to be ashamed of.

I nod slowly, swallowing the bile in my throat. My body protests every movement as I inch toward Jaxton. He’s so still. His chest rises and falls, but there’s no sign of awareness. I hate the helplessness in his features, the slackness in his jaw, and the way his head tilts unnaturally against the wall.

I gather him into my lap as best I can, maneuvering my belly between us to shield the movement of my hand as it searches his jacket pocket. I know what I’m looking for. His phone. And if I can get to it… maybe someone will hear us.Maybe someone will come.

Her eyes are on me, too sharp to risk pulling it out, so I slide my fingers across the screen, praying it dials someone. I don’t even know if there’s a lock or if it’ll go through. I justhope.

To cover my tracks, I lean down and whisper like we’re sharing our final words. “I love you, Jax,” I murmur, brushing his hair back gently. “From the moment you and Liam walked into The Sweet Tooth, I felt it—that spark. That connection.” My voice shakes. “We’ve been running full-speed ever since, but I wouldn’t trade a second of it. Not a single moment.”

A glance at Sarah. Her face is tight with annoyance, but she doesn’t move. Good.

I press a kiss to Jaxton’s lips, lingering just long enough to glance down and spot the faint glow of his screen still peeking from his pocket. A call is connected. Relief flutters through my chest like wings.

I don’t know who it is. I don’t know if they can hear me. But I lean close and whisper through clenched teeth,“Please. Someone help us.”

Sarah’s voice slices through the room, sharp and dripping with malice. “No one’s coming for you. They’re mine. And soon enough, that baby will be mine too.”

The threat hits like ice to the spine. I tense, my hand instinctively covering my belly, my pulse thrumming so loud it drowns out every logical thought. But then—movement. A thump from the living room. A voice. Something.

The guys.

Relief flutters inside me like butterfly wings, but it vanishes just as quickly. Because Sarah doesn’t flinch. Her lips stretch into a slow, razor-sharp smile, eyes still pinned to mine with unnerving intensity.

“Looks like they figured out I jammed the door,” she says, almost cheerfully. “Did you really think I wouldn’t plan for them to show up? That’s the problem with those boys—always playing hero. It’s exhausting.” She rolls her eyes like this is all just a mild inconvenience. Then her smirk returns, darker this time. “Did you know a fork can completely disable a door? Crazy, right? Just slide it in and twist—instant lock. Internet’s full of gems like that.”

Her satisfaction makes my stomach churn. She thinks she’s winning. She thinks she’sprepared.

But how? Even if the guys are blocked by the door, they’re on the other side. They’reclose. And the second they get in here, it’s over. For her.

Still, I need to keep her distracted. Keep her talking.

“If they’re outside waiting,” I say, trying to keep my voice level, “how the hell do you plan on getting out of here? Especially withmybaby?”

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