“Excuse me?”
“Okay, we did a little more than kissing, but in my defense, I didn’t know it was her.”
“How can you possibly claim that when you’d met her in person?”
“Well, she was wearing a mask, and you know how dark the dance floor at Inferno can be.”
Rafe exploded out of the chair. Grabbing me by the shoulders, he slammed me back against mine. “You were withmyfiancée inmyclub?”
“I didn’t invite her. She came with her cousin. I ran into her on the dance floor and things got heated. But as soon as I knew who she was, I stopped.”
Rafe searched my face intently. “You’re lying.”
“It’s the truth.”
“There’s more you’re not telling me.”
“I fell in love with her the moment I laid eyes on her.”
Red rage scorched across Rafe’s cheeks at my admission. “You only offered to take my place today because you wanted Drea all for your own.”
I shook my head. “I wanted you to be happy. You know I did. Hell, I was helping Maeve to surprise you on your birthday. Why would I do that unless I wanted you to be happy? For fuck’s sake, I would’ve never allowed myself to even jerk off to her had I known you cared for her.”
“My lack of feelings for Drea is irrelevant. She was my property by right of the contract.”
Now it was my turn for rage to scorch my cheeks. “She wasneveryour property.”
“How quickly you forget what our marriage contracts say,” Rafe sneered.
“I don’t give a fuck what bullshit is in the fine print. You can’t own someone, least of all someone like Drea. She is an independent woman with hopes and dreams. She’s a good student and an accomplished artist. I bet you don’t even know what her favorite color is or what she likes to eat.”
“We have rules in this world, Leo.”
“Spare me. You fucked over every rule in the book because of your feelings for Maeve.”
“Do not bring her into this!” Rafe roared.
“I sure as hell will. She’s at the root of all of this.”
Rafe shook his head at me with disgust. “You betrayed me.”
“Yeah, well, you betrayed me, too. You let your cock lead you from your duty.”
The next thing I knew Rafe unleashed his famous right undercut on my chest. “Oomph,” I muttered.
When he tried launching his fist at my face, I deflected his hit and socked him in the nose. “Motherfucker!” Rafe roared.
We then fell into punches and jabs. We slung each other around the interior of the plane. When I shoved Rafe into the drink cart, he flipped over, sending bottles of alcohol scattering along the floor.
After landing two harsh kicks to his shins he rolled away before clamoring to his feet. Limping slightly, he then rushed me. His giant head slammed into my abdomen just as the plane took a turn. Losing my balance, I grasped at his sleeves before taking him down with me.
“Stop it!” Drea screamed.
The sound of her voice, coupled with the desperation of her tone, caused us to freeze. I was momentarily distracted by the sight of her clad only in a towel with water trailing down her gorgeous body.
But it was her tears that had me shoving Rafe away and shooting to my feet. Well, as best I could with my present injuries. When Rafe remained on the floor, I held out my hand to him. With a disgusted snort, he knocked it away before lumbering to his feet.
Instead of coming to me, Drea went over to Rafe. “Please don’t be angry at Leo. We’re both to blame, and we both betrayed you.”
