Page 110 of No Greater Oblivion

“I know she will.”

“Fine. Then ask her.”

When she’s close enough to touch, she extends a hand to Rian and touches his shoulder, the gesture more uncertain than it is comforting. I have no idea what the two of them see in each other. They are as poorly matched as water and oil.

“Is everything okay?”

Taking note of Rian’s deteriorating patience, I decide to use his weakness to my advantage.

“She’s right here,” I taunt. “Ask.”

Her brows furrow with concern. “Ask me what? Did something happen?”

“Go ahead,” I coax gently. “Look her in the eye when she lies to you.”

Immediately, Dahlia’s cheeks drain of color and Rian’s eyes turn nearly black.

“What’s going on?” she asks.

“Rian’s a little shy, so I’ll ask. Gun to your head, who are you choosing: me or him.”

Dahlia chokes on air. “What?”

“Gun to your head,” I repeat, slowly enunciating each word. “Me or him?”

She scoffs and after a few false starts, eventually finds her voice again. “What an absurd thing to ask me.”

“If it’s so absurd, then you should have no trouble answering.”

Rian snaps, “Watch yourself, Narvaez.”

Eyes never leaving his, I say, “She can’t answer because she’s still in love with me. Not you.”

My gaze drifts over to meet hers and if looks could kill, the fire in Dahlia’s eyes would incinerate me on the spot.

“¿No lo vas a negar?”

Dahlia loops her arm through Rian’s and practically drags him away. “Don’t listen to him. He’s trying to provoke you.”

“Is it working yet?” I spin on the heels of my feet and follow them down the hall, remaining a few paces behind. “I heard O’Neil has a famous right hook.”

“Fuck you, Alejandro.”

Dahlia tries storming past me, but I grab hold of her wrist and spin her around. Her heel gets caught in the carpet and she momentarily loses her balance. We come face to face, her lips a breath away from mine.

“Tell him in front of me. Look him in the eye and tell him you aren’t in love with me anymore.”

Her lips press together and her hands tremble with rage. I watch as her eyes gloss over and she eventually closes them. “I hate you,” she whispers. “I hate you so much.”

“Not the same thing.”

I feel it before I see it.

Dahlia trips and loses her balance when I push her behind me.

Rian’s faster than I thought. I know the hit is coming but instead of dodging him, I brace for the impact and let his right fist connect with my jaw. Dahlia lets out a yelp and tries to intervene, but I’ve been waiting for the opportunity to beat the shit out of him since I got here.

There’s power and force behind his punch and it sends me back a step or two but doesn’t throw me off for long. I drag the back of my hand across my bleeding bottom lip while Rian seethes in place, shoulders rising and falling with every ragged breath he takes. Before we lose momentum, I pin Dahlia in place with a look of warning as I yank off my suit jacket.