Ryker is still looming over me, watching me.
I rise from my chair, needing to put distance between us.
He moves toward me. “Don’t tell me you forgot. I think about it all the time.”
I take an involuntary step back, my pulse quickening. “Ryker, that was a long time ago. And we went as friends, it wasn’t like that.”
“Not for me,” he says, his voice tightening. Then, he holds out a hand, a strange look in his eyes. “Dance with me. For old times’ sake.”
The request sends alarm bells ringing in my head. I force a shaky laugh, trying to deflect. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
His hand drops, his expression darkening. “Why? It’s not like your boyfriend is here. No one has to know.”
I falter, unable to come up with an excuse fast enough. His smile vanishes and the air gets thinner. I can’t take in a full breath.
“Fine,” I say quickly, trembling. “One dance.”
His smile returns, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. He steps closer, placing one hand on my waist while his other hand takes mine. I feel trapped, my mind racing as I try to make sense of the unease clawing at my chest.
As we sway to the music, his grip on my waist tightens slightly, and I fight the urge to pull away.
Being in his arms feels wrong. It’s nothing like the dance I shared with Dominic. Nothing about Ryker feels right. It didn’t back then, and it definitely doesn’t now.
“You know,” he starts, “I never told you this, but Claire and I were having problems for a long time. Things were bad, really bad.”
I stay quiet, unsure of where this is going.
“She found out about Victoria,” he continues, casually, as if he’s discussing the weather.
My breath catches. “Victoria?”
“Delmar,” he clarifies, his gaze piercing into mine. “She was…well, she was a mistake. She didn’t know her place. When she found out I was married, she ended it, and then threatened to tell Claire.”
My body stiffens, my mind reeling. “What are you saying right now?”
He lets out a soft chuckle, the sound sending shivers down my spine. “I couldn’t let her ruin everything. So I handled it.”
I feel like I’ve been doused in ice water. My heart pounds as his words sink in. “Are you telling meyoukilled Victoria Delmar?”
It’s not possible. There’s no way.
His grip intensifies, and I can feel the strength in his fingers, the sheer force he’s holding back.
“I didn’t have a choice. That whore was going to destroy my life.”
I can barely breathe, my mind racing as I try to piece everything together. “But Claire’s pregnant. You guys seem so happy. ”
“She left me,” he says, almost bored. “Can you believe that? That bitch thinks she can leave me and take my kid. I told everyone she’s sick because it’s easier than answering questions about where she is. She’s been staying with her parents since she confronted me about the affair. Fucking gold digger was following me. She thinks she’ll be free after I sign the divorce papers, but I have plans for her once our son is born.”
I try to move backward, but his hand on my waist keeps me firmly in place. My heart thrashes as the pieces click together, the realization hitting me like a thunder clap.
“It’s you,” I whisper, shaking. “It’s been you this whole time.”
His eyes regard me with a menacing stare. “You were always supposed to be mine. I saw you first!” He yells, forcing me to jump in place.
Like the draw of a curtain, his facade slips, revealing a person I don’t know. I’ve never seen Ryker yell or lose his temper. Ever.
“You were so fearless back then.” He chuckles, as if thestory is heartwarming. “You came right up to me and pushed me to the ground because I’d accidentally shoved Scottie. I think I fell in love right then and there. Years later, when I finally worked up the nerve to ask you out, Dom came along, and everything got ruined.”
