While a part of Knox wanted to have it out with Evan, he knew when he was beaten. If this incident went viral, the humiliation would be catastrophic. Better to clear out now than be smeared with accusations that he was a vengeful prick intent on tanking the gala.
He grabbed his belongings, already knowing he’d get an earful from Alejandro for bailing early. He gestured to Charlie. “Come on. We’re leaving.”
She glared at Evan. “You’re a horrible human being. I hope this comes back to bite you in the ass.” Then she turned on Lila. “You’re not much better.”
Lila blinked again, as if fighting back tears. “I’m sorry, but you have to go.”
Knox kept his head down and headed for the exit, with Charlie following behind him. Given how crowded the ballroom was, few people noticed their departure. After leaving the ballroom, he stood waiting at the hotel’s entrance, shaking with agitation as the valet fetched his truck. A light rain was falling, and the air was cool and misty. Turning his face toward the sky, he savored the feel of raindrops on his cheeks.
When his truck pulled up to the entrance, he hustled Charlie toward it and helped her get in. He went around to the driver’s seat and set his cape and mask in the back. Without waiting to see if she was buckled in, he sped away from the hotel, intending to put as much distance as he could between himself and the Grand Duke.
For a few minutes, Charlie said nothing. Was she still mad at Evan? Was she ashamed they’d been tossed out of the gala? As the rain beat down harder, he flicked on his wipers. The gloomy weather matched his mood. At least the drive would give them a chance to cool down. He didn’t want to go to bed feeling this miserable.
When Charlie spoke up, it was clear her fury hadn’t abated. “Evan was such an asshole. First, he takes all the credit for the show, and then he kicks you out. For no good reason! You didn’t do anything wrong.”
“Yeah, it sucks,” he muttered, hoping she’d accept his response and move on. Blowing up about it wouldn’t change anything.
“You seem so calm. Aren’t you furious?”
“Of course I am, but what else can I do? You heard the acclaim he got. All because he twisted the narrative in his favor and people bought into it. It was better to leave now than let him make the situation even worse.” A surge of resentment welled up inside him, so toxic it spilled over, tinging his words with acid. “And by the way, tonight wouldn’t have ended so badly if you hadn’t lost your temper.”
“I was angry on your behalf! Because I care about you! I know you feel safer staying out of the spotlight, but it’s time you fought back. You need to writeyourside of the story. You’re a writer, for God’s sake.”
Like he needed her to tell him that? “Thanks for the reminder, but I’m not about to set myself up for more backlash. Do you honestly think anyone would believe me after all the lies Evan told about me?”
“Some people would. Like Zack and Norah. They were totally on your side. I’ll bet they’re not the only ones who feel that way. Don’t you think it’s time you stopped hiding in the shadows?”
He gripped the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles went white. The pressure built up inside him, like a volcano on the verge of erupting. He released a strangled breath. “That’s enough, Charlie. Just stop.”
Her voice softened. “I’m sorry, but I hate seeing anyone treat you like this. You need to stand up to Evan. That way, you can take back the narrative.”
That did it. She’d pushed him over the edge. He turned on her, his voice thick with anger. “What would you know about standing up for yourself?”
“Wh…what are you talking about?”
As the light turned red, he skidded to a stop, his heart pounding. The driving rain had made the road slippery and treacherous. If he didn’t calm down, he’d be putting them both in danger. But he couldn’t stop himself from lashing out. “Come on, Charlie. Where do you get off, telling me to take a stand?”
“I was speaking up for you. Why is that so hard to understand?”
“Because you’re asking me to do something that you don’t have the guts to do for yourself. I know rent in Victoria is expensive, but in exchange for a place to live, you let your mom walk all over you. You’re so afraid of making a scene that you won’t challenge her. Isn’t that what happened at Thanksgiving?”
She twisted her hands together. “I…I already apologized for Thanksgiving.”
“But did you talk to your mom about it afterward like you promised? Did you tell her you wouldn’t put up with it again?” From the way she recoiled, he knew she hadn’t done it.
“I meant to, but…I…” Tears sprang up in her eyes. “This isn’t about me.”
“Isn’t it? Here you are, demanding I fight back, when you won’t even stand up to your mom.” He hated that he’d made her cry. But his hurt and frustration had escalated to a point where he couldn’t back down.
She was crying in earnest, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Take me home.Now.”
“Whatever you want.” He made a quick U-turn, wincing as his tires skidded on the slick road. She braced herself against the passenger door but didn’t utter a word.
The rest of the drive passed in agonizing silence. He wanted to rewind everything, to take back the horrible accusations he’d made, to apologize to Charlie for hurting her feelings, but he was too angry. Angry at her, at Evan, and at Lila.
But most of all, he was angry at himself.
* * *
