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“We meet again,” a deep voice said beside me, and I turned to look up at who I thought was Kye.
Tensing, I shifted away. I didn’t want him to close.
He chuckled. “You wound me, beautiful. I don’t normally elicit that response from women.”
I tensed. “Just the ones you gag and hold a gun against their back?” I asked.
He laughed. I didn’t.
“Come on now. That was just business. You were safe.”
I didn’t find the humor in it. I never would.
He leaned down close to me. “I don’t like that you’re scared of me. Let’s be friends. I’m a great friend,” he said, his voice lowering, as if he meant something else.
“Kye,” Saxon said, coming up beside me.
I was right about his name.
Relieved, I backed up until my back was touching him. His hand slipped around my waist.
“Don’t let him scare you. He’s full of shit,” Saxon said to me.
“Looks like you two are cozy again,” Kye said, grinning as he took a drink from his glass. “It’s always good when the parents can get along.”
“Did you not bring a date?” Saxon asked him.
Kye shrugged. “Wasn’t in the mood for the drama. Plus, I have to step out early. Genesis needs me.”
The best friend that everyone thought was more than that, but she was engaged.
“Wedding plans?” Saxon asked.
“Something like that,” Kye replied, and his demeanor took a complete one-eighty.
The easygoing flirt that hinted at the danger underneath now looked damaged and unsettled. Maybe they were onto something with this best friend of his. I just hoped he didn’t end up killing the guy she was engaged to.
“Saxon.” Declan’s voice made my stomach knot up. “Your mother said she saw you come this way. I’m sorry I’m late.”
Her eyes went to Saxon’s hand on my stomach, and they widened. Then, she glared at me.
“Where’s the popcorn when you need it?” Kye drawled.
“Saxon, we need to talk. Alone,” Declan told him, shifting her hateful glare from me to him.
“We did that already. You know everything. What more do we need to talk about?” Saxon asked, his hand dropping from me. It was as if he’d slapped me in the face.
“Yes, we did. But what you told me and what I am seeing are two different things. If she’s some girl you accidentally knocked up and are having to take care of because she’s poor, then why are you touching her like you’re here with her when I’m your date tonight? Our seats at the table are together.”
I was going to either be sick or cry. Probably both. I needed air. My gaze swung around for an exit, but outside was full of people too.
“Excuse me,” I said, stepping past Declan and heading in a direction where there were no people.
I didn’t stop until I made it to an empty hallway. Then, I looked around, opening doors until I found some stairs, and decided to take them. I would mess up my makeup if I cried. I just needed a moment. I could get myself under control. I was tough. I could do this. I would be fine.
At the top of the stairs was a wider hallway with doors scattered down each side. I stood there, taking several deep breaths, not sure if I should open doors, looking for a bathroom, or just stand here until I was okay to return downstairs.
I had told myself that he was just being friendly. Making the best of a bad situation. He wanted to get along with me for our child’s sake. He did not want me.
Sure, he thought I was attractive. We had dated. But he didn’t feel anything more for me. Declan, however, had some kind of hold on him. His mom liked her. He let her come in his house and demand he talk to her. She thought they were dating. She had called me poor and made me sound like a charity case.
Had he said those things to her? Was that why he’d bought the phones?
I placed my hand over my heart. Oh God, this hurt so bad. Was this a heart breaking? I’d thought it already had when I had to push him away, but this was worse. It was physically hurting me.
Two hands grabbed my waist from behind and began pushing me forward. I gasped and looked back to see Saxon behind me. His face hard. His jaw clenched. He pushed me, forcing me to walk to a door that he opened. He shoved me into the room before slamming the door and locking it behind him. I spun around and stared at him.
He stalked over to me. “Don’t fucking leave me again.” His hand reached out as he grabbed my chin and looked down at me. “She’s a bitch. A jealous, lying bitch. I was going to handle her. You don’t walk away. She thinks she wins if you do. She hasn’t won shit.”
