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At least a minute passed. Maybe two. The backdrop of music and conversation didn’t diminish the intensity we shared. I’d come all the way over here to say something, but now that I had her full attention, my tank was totally empty.
I was furious. Fucking furious. Even more furious because I had no right to be furious. I had no right to feel anything because the reason we were standing there staring at each other like that was me.
When I didn’t say anything, she went for it. “What?”
“What?” My eyebrows furrowed at her hostility.
“I told you to leave me alone.”
“So I can’t come over here and say hello?”
“You didn’t come over here and say hello. You came over to me and stared.” She’d been subdued from across the room, but my presence fired her up like an inferno. “So what do you want? As far as I’m concerned, we have nothing to say to each other, and Bartholomew will be back any minute.”
“Who the fuck is Bartholomew?”
She stared me down and refused to answer the question.
That name was familiar. Really familiar. I tried to recall where I’d heard it. The fact that I knew it at all didn’t bode well. “Is he…?” I almost couldn’t bring myself to say it because it was so horrifying. “Is he aclient?” Was she fucking this guy for a paycheck?
“It’s none of your business what he is.”
I couldn’t keep my shit together. “It is my fucking business if you’re putting yourself at risk.”
“Actually, it’s not.”
“You said you wanted to start a new life—”
“Cauldron.” That hot gaze was enough to shut my mouth. “Youdumpedme. You kicked me out of my home. Once Grave focused on Elise instead of me, you lost all interest in me. So if you think you’re entitled to any information about my life, you’re a goddamn sociopath.”
“My decision had nothing to do with Grave and Elise.”
“You’re so full of shit.”
“It didn’t.” My jaw started to hurt, it was so tight.
Her hand holding the flute of champagne shook, like she was so close to throwing it in my face. “I heard it from your fucking mouth, Cauldron.”
My eyes narrowed at the accusation. “What are you talking about?”
“Leave me the fuck alone.” She started to turn away.
I grabbed her by the arm and steadied her, and just the simple touch sent chills down my spine. The good kind of chills. The kind that gave me goose bumps all over. The kind that made my slacks suddenly feel snug.
I thought she felt it too because she didn’t fight me.
“Let.Go.”
I was too absorbed with her to notice Bartholomew’s return. I didn’t notice the blade either, until it was right up against my throat.
My hand released her arm.
She stepped away, but she gave a small gasp when she saw the knife.
Bartholomew tucked it inside his jacket pocket. “That was your only warning. Use it wisely.” Dark eyes locked on my face.
I did the same to him.
He waited for me to blink first or look away.
