“You’re an ice princess. Don’t want to meet, don’t want anything,” Arlo says. “You can’t keep me on a low flame. It’s not fair.”
“You’re right, it’s not fair. To either of us. This is why I want to break up,” Cora says, her voice trembling. “This isn’t working.”
She’s breaking up with him?
“Fuck ‘this isn’t working,’” he shouts. “You don’t want it to work. You never did.” He moves closer to her. “You think you’re better than me.”
I tense, ready to spring into action.
“I don’t think I’m better. I’m just me, Cora Valeur,” Cora says, her voice flat.
“No. You’re acting like a rich bitch. Think I’ll fall at your feet because you’re wealthy and deserve everything.” He takes a quick step and reaches for her, grabbing her arm.
“No,” Cora shakes her head. “That’s not true at all.”
I burst into the room. “Get your hands off her.”
Arlo licks his lips, his gaze darting between Cora and me.
“I said, get your hands off her.”
He releases Cora and raises his hands in the air. She rushes to me, positioning herself behind me.
“Now you’re letting your bodyguard speak for you? And then you tell me you don’t think you’re better than me, that we’re equals,” Arlo says. “You can’t even handle your own arguments. You’ve got a hired gun to do it for you.”
“Are you okay?” I ask in a low voice, keeping my eyes on Arlo.
“Yes,” she says, her voice choked. “It’s just an argument.”
“You screamed,” I say, still not taking my eyes off Arlo, but he’s just standing there. “Did he do something to you?”
“No, I’m fine. Can we go? I want to leave.”
“Yes,” I say. “Get in the truck and wait for me.”
“What are you going to do, Ryder? Don’t hurt him.” She grasps my arm.
“Wait in the truck,” I repeat. Anger bubbles up inside me. Don’t hurt him? After everything that happened, she still cares about him?
She leaves, and I wait until I hear the door slam.
Arlo looks at me without moving. He doesn’t seem afraid, which surprises me. Most men would be shaking in their boots by now.
“Get out of my house, or I’ll call the police and have you arrested for trespassing. You weren’t invited here.”
I nod. “I’m leaving. Just want to make one thing clear. Cora doesn’t want to see you anymore. She asked to break up.”
“You’re just a bodyguard, just the muscle. You can’t tell me what to do. Cora is temperamental. Today, she’s like this. Tomorrow, she’ll be different. You won’t decide for her.”
I take a deep breath, ignoring what he just said about me. “Cora knows what she wants. This means the next time I see you approaching her, you’ll get hurt.”
“Are you threatening me?” He narrows his eyes, finally showing a hint of concern.
“Take it however you want.” I turn and walk out.
Cora sits in the truck, her eyes wide. At least she did what I asked her to do. I get into the driver’s seat without looking at her.
“Are you angry?”
