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“Do your talents translate to the bedroom?”

“I’ve had no complaints,” she said, fighting an eye roll. “Most of my partners have enjoyed how bendy I am.”

“Oh, I imagine. But I know how hard it can be to satisfy Charlotte. I’d be happy to give you pointers.”

Ali’s gaze turned on a slow swivel to meet her. Then she snorted and a laugh barked right out of her.

The audacity.

“What is it you hope to gain here?”

Victoria took a step closer, voice going sensual. “I have no idea what you mean.”

“Sure you don’t,” Ali huffed, taking a slow breath. “I’m not interested in anything you have to offer… which—” she swept her gaze down and up Victoria’s figure, face pinching as though the sight disgusted her. “Isn’t much by the looks of it.”

“How dare⁠—”

“How dare you,” Ali bit out, temper flaring like someone had thrown gasoline on it. “You’ve toyed with Charlotte enough. You don’t care about her. You aren’t good for her. You’re not good for anyone. You are toxic. And I want nothing to do with you.”

Victoria’s mask of indifference cracked, rage gleaming in narrowed eyes.

“There is nothing you could ever do to entice me to betray Charlotte,” Ali spat, voice rising. “Take a fucking hint. You disgust me.”

Victoria’s mouth fell open, as though she wasn’t used to hearing exactly how people felt about her. Her eyes scanned Ali’s face as her own contorted into something wounded, like she couldn’t comprehend being disliked.

“You don’t know what she was like with me.”

Ali was under no impression Charlotte had been perfect. But she did know how hard Charlotte tried, how deeply she cared, and how much of herself she gave to the people she loved. Victoria only cared about one person… herself.

“I’d fucking hope not. That would mean ours was the same relationship and I was a fucking succubus.”

“It was her fault,” Victoria snapped. “She’s impossible to please!”

“Oh come on,” Ali scoffed, rolling her eyes. “Stop playing the victim and accept the fact you were a trash partner.”

Her temper surged again, a growl rippling through her as she came perilously close to upending the cups of ice cold water over Victoria’s head. She would do it too and have zero regrets if pushed far enough.

“How would you know?” Victoria hissed.

Ali stepped into Victoria’s personal space. “Because every word out of your mouth is a manipulation. If you cared about her, you wouldn’t be trying to get me into your bed. You don’t care about her. You care about winning. About what she can give you.” Ali released a low icy chuckle. “It drives you crazy, doesn’t it? That she’s happier without you.”

“The disrespect here is staggering. When I tell Sasha⁠—”

“Oh please! Please tell her how you tried to solicit her future sister-in-law’s girlfriend for sex. I’m sure she will find it so classy,” Ali snapped and Victoria hesitated. “Maybe I’ll tell her myself. We can see what she has to say about it.”

Victoria paled.

Gotcha.

“Listen here⁠—”

“Ali?” Charlotte called, silencing whatever toxicity Victoria planned to spew.

Ali glared into Victoria’s frozen expression.

“Out of my way,” she hissed, low in her throat.

Victoria stepped aside and Ali stalked past her, adrenaline buzzing through her. Charlotte’s jaw was tight, blue eyes frigid with fury. Ali had never seen her so close to losing control.