He flicks his hand, a dismissive little gesture meant to move me aside.
I don’t.
I hold his stare. “Going somewhere, Mr. Maddox?”
He lifts the keycard between two fingers, a magician about to reveal the trick.
“As a matter of fact, yes. I’m headed upstairs. To see my fiancée.” He lingers on the word, savoring it. “That’s how engagements work. I give her a five-carat ring. She gives me access. To everything. Her room. Her body.”
The image detonates in my head. A runaway train I have to wrestle back onto the tracks.
Breathe.
He wants a reaction.
I don’t move.
“I’m fucking her in our next movie,” he continues lightly. “By the time it premieres, she won’t even remember your name.”
I fold my arms, every muscle rigid as stone. I knew they’d be working together. It was all over my doomscroll of all things Ava.
But… there’s a love scene?
Of course, there’s a love scene.
I stay where I am, reminding myself that homicide in a hotel lobby is a very bad look.
Especially for the multinational corporation you often represent.
And this is Pix’s job.
It’s not like she enjoys it.
Does she?
He steps closer, adding, “I’ll let you in on a little secret,” he says, voice low and conspiratorial. “During that love scene, I’m going to slip it in. For real. Right in front of everyone. With the cameras rolling and the director watching, she can’t exactly stop me.” He straightens his sleeve. “She hates when I do it. When I fuck her in front of everyone.”
That’s it.
He’s dead.
I’m already gauging exactly how much force it takes to break a pretty-boy nose permanently when a streak of blonde and blue dive in between us.
She plants herself firmly, heels braced, practically breathing fire in every direction.
Her voice cuts through the lobby in an octave meant for shattering glass.
“I am the personal assistant to Miss Alvarez,” she announces, loud enough for the front desk and every camera in the room to hear. “And I am telling you, this man is not her fiancé.”
Pierce sneers. “I was yesterday.”
“Well,” she huffs, flustered, “you’re not today. In fact, I have something for you.”
She unwinds her middle finger and flips him off. The enormous diamond on it catches the light like a weapon.
I laugh. Out loud.
Pierce lunges, yanking it from her hand. “Shut up, Kali. Or I’ll make your life miserable.”
