The person who’d extinguished that flame stood before her. Tall like Ilya and similarly built, but his blond hair was darker. The man seemed to vibrate, and the way he looked at Lily—a coldness radiated through Kieran’s chest, rolling over his skin like liquid steel. He knew that look.
Why would anyone believe you?
I’m the best you’ve got.
You’re worthless.
You’re never going to leave.
The guy seized Lily’s arm, but she didn’t jerk away. The man’s face darkened. His lips pulled back over his teeth to let loose ugly words.
Whatever he’d said, Kieran would pummel each one back into his mouth with his fist. As if sensing the promise of violence in his body, Sebastián’s hand dug into his shoulder like a grappling hook, staying him.
She tipped her chin up. Like a warrior facing down her enemy, no porcelain doll in sight. Her lips barely moved.
The other man’s hand shot out and grabbed her jaw.
Fury spread like wildfire through his veins. He’d break every last bone in the guy’s hand.
Kieran ripped open the door.
Five Minutes Earlier
Her feet might as well have been made of lead. Lily slunk after Vovik, head high but dread bubbling within. Her blood rushed in her veins—carrying trembling adrenaline into every tip of her body. Despite swallowing, her mouth flooded with saliva. The nauseating whispers of uncertainty swam in her belly, threatening to overtake her.
He hadn’t changed much. Still tall and lanky. Perhaps thinner than before. He’d cut his hair back from the sweeping sandy waves in his eyes to a long fade.
Was that how Kelly liked his hair?
“So what do you want?” She stopped ten feet from the door, unwilling to step further away from the protection of the gym.
Vovik had kept her in his territory for as long as she could remember. Surrounded by his belongings. His friends. She’d always been a tolerated guest at best. A prisoner at worst.
The gym was hers. Her sanctuary.
“I saw your Hit It.” His green eyes blazed with an all-too-familiar fury. It vibrated through him, taking away his ability to stand still. He paced across the sidewalk, prowling and keeping her cut off from any escape other than retreating into the gym. “Is that seriously what you left me for? To fuck some guy on video?”
Heat flamed her face, and she curled her hands into fists at her sides. “I’m not fucking him.” Not on camera, at least.
“You never kissed me like that.”
You never made me feel alive.
She inched backward, ever closer to the gym. “You have no right to show up at my work.”
“It’s not like I can call you. You blocked me.”
“Well.” She couldn’t help the dry sarcasm that crept into her voice. “We broke up.”
He sucked his lips between his teeth, holding back whatever venom he wanted to spit. “That doesn’t give you the right to embarrass me. Mymothersent me that video.”
“I can’t help that I’m on your mom’s algorithm. Maybe you should have your family block me.”
He scoffed and shook his head. “You seriously don’t even care? I fucking gave you everything!”
“No, you made me a rag doll.” Lily blinked rapidly, refusing to cry. “I was something you could control—something you could pick up and throw when you were angry and expect it not to break.”
“But you can’t break, Lil!”
