Icouldn’t stop smiling.
I’d just gone to the Travesty show in Vegas with Ophelia and Elena and couldn’t remember the last time I’d had that much fun. My life had felt like it was in chaos, but one twist of the lens had made everything look different.
Zanemade everything look different.
When I pictured a future with him, it was full of love and friends and support like I’d never known before. I was excited to see what I could do with my businesses here. Excited to keep escorting if the fancy struck or simply playing the fantasy out with Zane if it was our pleasure I was after.
“Oh my gosh, you’re from the puking video!”
The voice from across the VIP section made my stomach drop and my head whipped up to find its source, but they weren’t talking to me. They were talking to Nate.
He noticed me the same moment I noticed him and he cocked his head, coming towards me.
He was wearing a wristband from the show and a Travesty shirt.
“Didn’t know you were such a fan,” I said nodding towards it.
He laughed and it was immediately clear that he was trashed. “My agent suggested coming. Said we might be able to get a photo op with the band to keep riding that viral wave. Seeing you, though, is an unexpected surprise.”
“That’s one way to put it,” I muttered, glancing at the crowd to see if my friends were here yet.
“You ready to give me what’s mine? Or should I grab one of those gossip reporters right over there by the bar?”
He was slurring and this was going to devolve quickly.
I started to walk away, but he snatched my wrist and yanked me back. “Don’t you walk away from me. You don’t think I’ll do it?”
I didn’t want to make a scene, but it was clear that was Nate’s intention. I wanted to text Zane, but the VIP section had a no phones policy.
I was done cowering before this piece of shit.
“You know what, Nate? Do it. I don’t know where thisnefarious planof yours ends, but I can fucking promise you it’s not where you want it to go. You never were much of a strategic thinker.”
“Fuck you, bitch.” He released my wrist and pushed me back, knocking me off balance.
A hard body and gentle hand steadied me from behind. Kelly tucked me against him. “Everything okay, sugar?”
Nate’s eyes were huge as he looked back and forth between us. “Wait. Are you…you’re…with Kelly Travis?”
Zane arrived and calmly stepped between us and Nate.
“No. She’smine.”
The threat in his voice was plain. And sexy as fuck.
Nate’s sneer was a thing to behold, like watching a dying thing ready to lash out with its final breath. He looked at me, triumph flashing in his eyes. “Oh yeah? Do you know what Maia—“
Zane’s hand on Nate’s throat cut off the accusation he was about to hurl. Zane slammed him back into the wall. “I know everything, motherfucker.”
Oh shit.
“Baby, no! It’s not worth spending the night in jail.”
Zane released him.
Nate glared, “She’s right. That trash isn’t worth it. Soon everyone is going to know it.”
Zane’s fist moved so fast that Nate was on the floor before I knew what happened.
