“You weren’t invited,” she said, her lips hardly moving from her smile.
They might be in shadow, but the press was still right there.If they wanted a story, any face off would be a scandal they’d seize.A photograph or whisper of any confrontation could change the story of the night.
“I don’t need an invitation,” Diva said.“Everyone wants me at their event.”
The arrogance might be well-placed in other environments.It wasn’t welcome at Crimson.Not that night.
Without blinking, she locked their eyes.“I don’t want you here and I don’t want your money.”Still, she kept her smile high.“I will let you walk through the front door, providing you walk straight out the back.No canapés, no champagne.Your ass leaves via the alley.”
Diva laughed, tossing her hair from her shoulder.“I don’t know who you think you are—”
“You think I’ll let you fuck with him again?”she asked, her eyes hardening as her smile faded.“You walked out of his life when he should’ve run from yours.I won’t let it happen again.”
The model might not have expected something personal, but the man they had in common was not up for debate.Alaina Havenash had her chance with Rourke and had screwed it up by screwing him up.Friendship meant more than business, altruistic or not.
“Xavien?You don’t know what you’re talking about.You have no right to bring up my personal life.”
When Diva tried to step around her, she shifted into her path.“I don’t give a shit what you think you know.Your personal life means nothing to me, providing you stay out of his.If you try to weasel your way back in, then it’s very important to me.Very.Important.”
“Are you his latest fling?They never last, sweetie.He won’t stay with you.You can’t give him what he needs.”
“Because you couldn’t give him what he needs?”Surprise flashed on the model’s face.“He was lucky to get away from you in one piece.You’re a trauma no man deserves to endure.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.If he hears you’ve talked to me this way, you’ll lose your job, your home, and anything else I ask him to take from you.”
“Let me worry about that while you make your undramatic exit.”
“Where is he?Let’s ask him.Hmm?Ask him who he’d rather have at his party.Me or…” Diva did the superiority thing well.“He’ll choose me over you.You’re no one.You don’t know him, and you don’t know me.”
“I know Huddle Hope has put him back in the headlines.He’s hip, right now, for you and your shallow friends, that’s exposure you want a piece of.”She moved in closer.“And I am telling you, it is not happening.”
“Move out of my way.”
“You want to do this?”she asked, her voice dropping in volume and tone.“Those pap flashes mean nothing to me.Do you want the whole world to see you get your ass handed to you on the red carpet?Because nothing would make me happier than to take you down.Choose.Back door or on your ass right here.How would you like to leave this party, Babycakes?”
“If you put your hands on me, I’ll have you arrested.”
“If you try to set foot in the party, I’ll have security escort you to the cops.You’re not getting in here.I’d take jail over watching you mangle him again.Does Diva want to keep her dignity or to lose a fucking eye?Imagine what that would do for your career.”
Her faux gasp only provoked the model’s frown.She shouldn’t gloat, but it felt good to win.Alaina Havenash was welcome everywhere.Except anywhere Rourke was, it would stay that way so long as she had anything to say about it.
TWENTY-NINE
AND THAT WAS THAT.Done and dusted.Proof that no job was beneath her.If something needed to be done, she’d get it done.
With the trash taken out, she returned to the party.Drinking it in, the atmosphere was high.Not a bad night after all.
Someone stole her hand and whipped her around.She collided with a body and—
“Hotshot,” she said.
Guiding her hands to his chest, he wrapped his arms around her and moved like they were dancing.“Roxie’s being weird.”
Probably by delaying him somehow.Now it was her turn to distract him.“You know, there’s an actual dance floor,” she said.“Right in front of the band over there.It’s a new concept.”
“Figured you went looking to bust someone’s balls.”
“Why would I do that when yours are so conveniently close all the time?”
