Page 76 of Fake it for Keeps

23

COLT

Iexcused myself from the table, telling Hallie I needed to check on something. She nodded, still talking to Sam from my investment team, looking more comfortable in this world than she probably realized.

But I had unfinished business. I did not appreciate anyone threatening me or mine.

I found John at the bar, which wasn’t a big surprise. His face was flushed with alcohol consumption. He was harassing the bartender about watered-down drinks. When he saw me approaching, his expression turned wary.

Good. He should be afraid. He should be real fucking concerned.

“Mr. Jesson.”

“Walk with me,” I said. Not a request.

He hesitated, then followed as I led him down a service hallway away from the main event. Empty. Private. Perfect.

I turned on him the moment we were alone.

“Let’s make something very clear,” I said. “You’re never going to come near Hallie again. You’re not going to speak to her. You’re not going to look at her. You’re not even going to think about her. Understood?”

“You can’t tell me what to do.”

“I can, and I am.” I stepped closer, using every inch of height advantage I had. “If you so much as glance in her direction for the rest of tonight, you’ll be hearing from my lawyers. And I’ll be pursuing charges for slander, harassment, and anything else my legal team can dream up. And trust me, they’re good. They can make a mountain out of a molehill over a cup of coffee.”

“I didn’t do anything.”

“You threatened to expose a private business arrangement. You insulted my fiancée in public. You implied we were engaged in some kind of fraud.” I leaned in closer. “Do you have any idea who the fuck I am?”

“I know exactly who you are.”

“Then you know I’m a Jesson. My family has more money than you’ll see in ten lifetimes. More power than you can imagine. More connections than you could cultivate in a hundred years.” I smiled, cold and sharp. “And you? You’re gum on the bottom of my shoe. An insignificant, bitter little man who’s jealous that Hallie wouldn’t give you the time of day.”

His jaw worked, but no sound came out.

“She only tolerated you because she was bound by contract,” I continued. “Every second she spent with you was torture. And the fact that you couldn’t see that, that you actually thought you had a chance with her? That’s pathetic.”

“She’s a whore who⁠—”

My hand was around his throat before he could finish the sentence.

“Finish that thought,” I said quietly. “Please. Give me a reason.”

John’s eyes went wide, his hands coming up to grab my wrist. I held him there for a moment longer, not squeezing, just reminding him how easy it would be. Then released him.

He stumbled back, gasping.

“Get out,” I said. “Leave this event. Leave this city if you’re smart. And if I ever hear that you’ve said one word about Hallie, about me, about any of this? I’ll destroy you. Financially. Professionally. Personally. I’ll make sure you never work again, never show your face in decent society again. Do you understand?”

He nodded frantically, still rubbing his throat.

“Good.” I straightened my bow tie. “Now get the fuck out of my sight.”

He practically ran for the exit.

I took a moment to compose myself, straightening my jacket, checking my reflection in a decorative mirror. The rage that had flooded through me when John had started to insult Hallie was still simmering beneath the surface, but I pushed it down.

Control. I always had control. Except when it came to Hallie.