I leaned back in my chair, phone pressed to my ear, laughing softly at something Dominic said, and out of the corner of my eye, I caught the way Bruno's expression darkened. His jaw tightened, eyes narrowing, carrying a flicker of jealousy he couldn't hide.
"Why don't you swing by around lunchtime. I have a desk here we can clear so we can have a sweet time."
Shocked, I opened my eyes when the man I was trying to get rid of lowered himself into the chair in front of me.
He was staying. What the hell!
"OK. Sure. I'll see you later."
After I ended the call, I asked plainly, "Why are you still here? Our conversation is finished."
He shook his head hard. "It's not over. We aren't over. I don't care how many useless men you sleep with."
I laughed. "Bruno, you tried this before, and it didn't end well. Don't push me, because I won't back down or have a change of heart."
Rubbing his elbow, Bruno nodded. "I still have the scars to remember."
A year ago, after returning to the college dorm, I found Bruno and Monique Beckford, the roommate who pretended she was a friend, in the act. She was deep-throating Bruno's disloyal cock while he screamed in bliss. In fact, I heard them before even opening the door, but like a fool I entered, thinking there had to be an explanation. Well, after they were found, Monique looked so proud of herself.
"Since you didn't know how to take care of him, I just fucking stepped up."
Bruno fumbled with his zipper and wasted time speaking. "Alex, I'm sorry."
Between both of them, my emotions varied, but I wasn't about to fight over a man.
"You two can have each other," I said and meant it.
I left the room and never looked back at either. This shocked Bruno, who spent days, then weeks, trying to earn my forgiveness. When that didn't happen, the manipulative ass thought I was still under his spell and cornered me one day.
"Alex, let me explain."
Walking around him, I kept going down the path, the sky watching over us a silent witness to the end of our relationship.
Bruno ran after me. "Please let me explain. I can't live without you."
"Then go ahead and die," I hurled and walked away.
He grabbed my arm to stop me, but I shoved him off without hesitation, fury blazing hotter than anything moving through my veins.
"I'll jump into traffic," he threatened.
Mid-step, I stopped and turned around. Both of us locked eyes as we stood on the sidewalk. Cars whipped past beside us on the busy street, and the noise seemed to give me a suggestion. Slowly, I walked toward Bruno.
"I'm sorry," he mumbled.
When I was close enough, I shoved him hard, rage blinding me as he stumbled backward toward oncoming traffic.
"You already killed me. No fucking reason you should get to live."
I didn't just lose a boyfriend that day. I lost my belief in love and loyalty.
"A broken arm and my life flashing before me as the cars all slammed on their brakes around me, desperately trying not to run over my body…" Bruno said, bringing me back to the present.
Glaring at him, I spoke firmly. "Always a lying sack of shit. You said you wanted to die. Why try so damn hard to live, then? I also remember you promised to leave me the hell alone. Why are you here? Does this look like leaving me alone?"
"I made them invest, and now my job is on the line."
For the briefest of moments, the idea of sinking my whole company just to ruin Bruno's career flashed through my head.But he was no longer important. I'd put everything into Amoré Nights, and unlike him, there was no reason to kill it.
