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All the attention was still on us, the party practically observing our every move as I turned to Alejandro, faking a smile.
“What thehellwas that?” I brushed his arms with a pet that appeared to be kind. It wasn’t though. I was pissed.
“I could ask you the same. You know these things can be arranged, so why not let this happen?”
“How about youarrangeyour trip around me? How does that sound?”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Gemma.”
“Ridiculous? You sauntering in with a slur and a big plan is what’s ridiculous.”
“Forget it. Why do you even want to stay here?”
“Maybe because it’s my choice—a choice I thought I had. And why do you want to take me?” I questioned. “Do you really want me to be with you, or are you trying to keep me away from something?”
He didn’t even waste a breath before hissing back.
“Fromsomeone,” he possessively pulled me close to his body, my hip digging into his side. “Who just texted you?”
“None of your business. Who I message and who I speak to doesn’t concern you.” I pitched slightly higher as he turned to the crowd, looking for a reaction. I could have just as easily told him it was Ivanna, that she essentially spoiled his plans to take me away. I didn’t bother, wanting to see his true feelings.
“I’m making it my business. I can’t have you stay here. I can’t have him near you.”
“Goddamn you. I knew it. You don’t get to decide that. You don’t tell me where I go or what I do.”
“Maybe not. But you staying says a lot more than you coming with me.”
“It says that I can make my own choices. I won’t ruin an opportunity just because you’re feeling insecure.”
“Bullshit,” he snapped, for once looking angry at me. “I know better. I’ve seen it all, and if you stay here, you’re asking for trouble.”
“Why? Because of Parker?”
“Who else, Gemma? You think this is all some coincidence? You don’t think he knew I was leaving soon, and that this was his chance to swoop in? He had an entire lifetime to do what he did, and now you’re no longer his to have. You’re mine.”
“Have you thought to consider that my choice to stay has nothing to do with you or Parker? I take my opportunities seriously. You gave this to me, and now you’re taking it back? I don’t think so. I’m staying.”
“Then you’re staying at the penthouse. You can live there; you can be free.”
“Free?” I laughed. “Free to do what? To be forced into a new home? That’s not freedom, that’s control,” I argued back, no longer pretending to smile for the people around us. Alejandro was less than considerate, his feverish glare much more pronounced than his signature look.
“That’s right. It is control. Something Parker doesn’t know anything about. He never took control. He never took charge. I knew the moment I saw you that I needed you, and I’ve always been clear about that. So no, I won’t apologize about being so direct.”
“You don’t know him, you don’t get to judge him like that.”
“The fuck I won’t. He touched you…you…Gemma… and that is a line I cannot forgive. That goes for any man; if anyone ever touches you again—”
“Enough,” I snipped. “Don’t do that.”
“Do what?” He barked, irritated.
“Don’t project that onto him. He isn’t touching me… he isn’t hurting me.” I controlled my anger to better soothe Alejandro, keeping myself calm. This wasn’t just about Parker; this was about Alejandro’s past and how he was stuck in an old desire to fix a problem we didn’t have.
“Goddamn it, Gemma. What have I told you about being so stubborn?”
“Why do I care? It’s me, baby… deal with it,” I spat back just as callously as he did earlier today.
His head dug into my neck, scolding me like he wanted.
