Page 49 of The Broken Keys

That’s when I see red.

I’m across the rope between us in two seconds, my hands curling in Sebastian’s shirt, slamming him back against a pillar in the VIP area. The old Cash, the one who solved problems with his fists, roars to life.

“Don’t you fucking touch her.”

“Callum, stop!” Livianna’s voice cuts through the burning haze, but the damage is done.

Security is moving toward us, phones are recording, and Sebastian is smirking like he got exactly what he wanted.

“There he is.” Sebastian releases a sinister chuckle and pushes me away. “The real Cash Mayze. I was wondering when he’d show up.”

“You know what I find fascinating?” Zara butts in over the chaos. “Secrets. The things people keep from each other. Like how you have secrets you don’t want getting out, Cash. But don’t worry, so does Livianna.”

My jaw clenches as Livianna pulls me toward her with surprising strength.

I glare at Zara. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

“Oh, you know what yours are, but know nothing about hers.” Zara’s eyes gleam with malice as her glare slices to Livianna. “She has things she’d rather keep buried. Don’t you, Livianna?”

Her face drains of color, and fury catches ablaze in my chest like a wildfire.

“I’m just curious.” Zara tilts her head, studying Livianna like a scientist examining a specimen. “Cash, do you know who Livianna’s been dating? I mean, really dating, not just the casual encounters she tells everyone about.”

My blood runs cold. “What?”

Livianna’s grasp around my arm tightens. “Callum…”

“You know what, Zara.” My shoulders expand, and I can’t stop myself. “I do know who she’s been dating. It’s the same guy whose house she’s been living in.”

It lands hard. Zara’s expression shifts, surprise flickering across her features for a few beats before that cruel smile returns.

“You don’t know.” She sneers, holding nothing but evil in her tone. “And I think it kills you not knowing. That’s why I’m not going to tell you.”

Livianna noticeably relaxes beside me. What’s that about?

Does she ever plan on telling me the truth about her time away from me? Is it any of my business?

Livianna cuts through my thoughts. “Zara, you’re delusional, thinking anyone cares about you and what you have to say.”

Zara’s mask slips off, ferocity distorting her features. She lunges forward, fingers going for Livianna’s throat.

“You bitch?—”

I’m grabbing Zara’s arms before my brain catches up.

“That’s enough!” Sebastian pulls her away. “We’re leaving.”

“Let me go!” Zara fights against his grip, her eyes wild. “She thinks she’s so perfect, so untouchable?—”

“Zara, stop.” Sebastian stares down at her. “This place is full of trash I’d rather not have to smell.”

She relents. As they start to leave, she turns back to us, her voice screaming over the crowd. “When you two least expect it, you’ll pay! I’ll make sure of it.”

The threat hangs in the air like a promise I know will come to pass. A shiver snakes up my spine. I’ve experienced Zara’s revenge before, and it ruined my life for a while. A long while.

They disappear into the crowd before I turn to Livianna. She’s staring at me with something I don’t recognize.

Disappointment, maybe. Fear that being with me will be just like it used to be. Chaos every time we go out and run into our enemies. And I can’t say I blame her for feeling that way.