The cigarette drops to the wet ground, forgotten.
"You ever talk about her again," I say, low and dangerous, "and I swear to God, Derek, I will goddamned end you.And not just physically.Digitally.Socially.Financially."
His eyes go wide."You’re crazy."
"I’m brilliant.I own a cybersecurity empire.I can wipe you off the map without ever lifting a finger."
He sputters, trying to push me off."You can’t threaten me."
"I’m not threatening," I growl."I’m promising.You want to know what I do to men who disrespect women I care about?I erase them."
His face drains of color.
I lean closer."You should be embarrassed, Derek.Not just because you lost her—but because you never deserved her in the first place."
He opens his mouth to argue.I tighten my hold.
“The only ‘setup’ I see is you—spinning stories to make yourself feel better about fucking up the best thing you ever had."
I shove him back hard and let him go.
He stumbles, scrambling for dignity, but the alley offers none.The back door opens, revealing two busboys on break.
They look at Derek, then at me, and say nothing.
They don’t need to.
Derek straightens, shoulders stiff, trying to play it cool as he mutters, "Whatever, man."
"Tell Erica I said hi," I toss over my shoulder."And maybe keep her off SecureMatch.You wouldn’t want her meeting someone with a spine."
He disappears around the corner, shoes slapping wet pavement.
I stand there for a moment, breathing hard, watching the drizzle bead on the brick.
Then I laugh.
Not because it’s funny.
Because I finally get it.
I didn’t just defend Sage.
I chose her.
Even when she wasn’t there.Even when it wasn’t easy.
Even when it would’ve been simpler to agree with the bastard.
I chose her.
The door creaks open again.
Connor pokes his head out into the alley from the doorway."What happened out here?Derek just blew past our table like someone lit his ass on fire."
"I told him the truth."
"About Sage?"
