“There are enough problems as it is,” I add. “You don’t have to like me to know I’m right.”
Given how powerful a client Steven is, the last thing I want is to draw attention to myself. I have no idea where Mason or Katiaare. While my new bodyguard seems to take his job seriously, I have no idea how far or how deep his loyalty goes.
Or if one word from Jack Payne is enough to call him off.
After a tense moment, the bodyguard steps to the side. I move to stand in front of Steven, and I don’t miss the cruelty in his eyes. He glances from the bodyguard to me and back again. Then, without warning, he lashes out, and I throw myself sideways, so his hand misses my face by a few inches.
“I’m going to find out what you did to him.” Steven’s face is one of fury. “Don’t bother denying it. I don’t care who you’re fucking. These walls can’t protect you forever.”
He tries to punch me again, and I sidestep again, tasting fear on my tongue.
Several of the people in attendance are staring at us, and a few are whispering.
The hairs on the back of my neck rise when Steven gets a little too close, and my bodyguard intercepts him. He twists Steven’s arm behind his back and holds him still. Steven releases a litany of curse words, his face turning red as he writhes. I swallow past the lump in my throat and let my arms fall to my sides.
“I don’t owe you anything, Steven. We both know you’re a shit friend. Now, I don’t know what game you’re playing here, or why you’re putting on a show, but you and I both know that what Noah and I had was real.”
“Lying bitch.” Steven is bristling now. “I should’ve taken care of you when I had the chance.”
“I don’t care if you believe me,” I say. “I still care about Noah, and I wish him nothing but the best.”
Steven mumbles something unintelligible.
I motion to the bodyguard, who releases him.
Suddenly, Steven charges me, and I spread my legs shoulder-width apart and stand my ground. Once he’s close enough, Ipunch him in the stomach. He doubles over, and I knee him in the groin, forcing him to crumple to the ground. His eyes are filled with hatred as he glances up at me.
“I’d suggest you leave before you get yourself into even more trouble.”
Steven lunges at me again, but he’s pulled back by the scruff of his neck. I blink and realize that Katia has both his arms pinned behind his back. She presses him against the nearest wall and says something into his ear. Steven stops squirming, and the color leaves his face. Abruptly, Katia releases him, and he scurries past without a backward glance.
“I was beginning to think you’d found someone else to…” I trail off when Katia moves closer, and I see the bruises on her face and the marks on her arm. Terror slams into me as I step forward. “What happened?”
“You need to come with me.” Katia’s eyes dart around the club before she looks at me. “Unless you want to find some other way to get yourself in trouble.”
My throat closes as I fall into step beside her.
We take the back door out of the club and cross the lawn and path separating it from the estate. My mind spins as I imagine all the things that could’ve gone wrong. When we reach the estate, there are even more guards patrolling than usual, and they center around Katia, who has her arms by her sides, her steps long and measured.
Olivia is waiting for me near the door to the manor.
She and Katia exchange a quick look before the latter disappears.
My throat is dry as I follow Olivia down a series of dimly lit, carpeted hallways.
We stop outside a set of double doors, and when I see Oliver leaning against one wall with Mathew and Jack against the other, my heart jumps into my throat.
Olivia turns to face me. “Mason was ambushed.”
My stomach drops. “What do you mean he’s been ambushed? Where is he?”
Olivia exhales. “The doctor is taking a look at his wounds right now.”
“Here? Shouldn’t he be in a hospital?”
“That’s what this wing is for.” Oliver’s voice is hoarse. “And the doctor has the equipment he needs, and a discreet team that knows what to do.”
I’d seen glimpses of the room, but it wasn’t enough.
