A Hollywood Deal(83)

“What the fuck do you know? You weren’t even there!” His fist slams down on the desk, the sound ringing like a gunshot.

Apprehension and outrage mingle, knot into a tight ball and pulse in my throat. I hold myself together, unwilling to be cowed by the display of his anger. “If you believe that it’s all Ryder’s fault, why haven’t you hurt Ryder already? Why did you wait until now?”

Dull red colors his face. It takes him several moments to bring himself back under control, but finally he relaxes. “I needed power and influence to fight. It undoubtedly hasn’t escaped your notice that, in addition to striking good looks, Ryder is possessed of a fairly high net worth. Do you think people like him ever pay the price for what they do?”

“Don’t act like it’s unfair. You’re just as high-society as he is.”

He goes still, and for a moment I wonder if he’s going to come out of his chair and strike me.

Still, I can’t shut up. I have to say my piece. “You’ve had both power and money for a while now. If you wanted, you could’ve hurt Ryder…but you haven’t.”

“And how do you know?” Anthony’s smile is cold, and my spine prickles like a cube of ice is gliding along the vertebrae. “I promised I’d hurt him the same way he hurt me.”

“So what now? Are you going to kill me?”

He leans closer over the desk. “Why not? You are his fiancée, aren’t you?”

“I don’t think you’re quite that depraved.” I might believe him capable of doing it if Lauren’s death was still fresh, but it’s been years now. People will overcome grief, no matter how harsh and painful, given enough time. I look into his eyes. Sure, there’s heat, but he’s still rational. Or else he’s a damn good actor. “You probably didn’t build your financial empire just to throw it away by committing a crime and going to jail. That’s not winning. That isn’t even close to revenge. If you want to show Ryder, then live an amazing life, the kind that will make him want to vomit with envy.”

Anthony stands up. Despite his leanness, he’s an imposing man. It’s the force of his gaze, the implacable set of his jaw. They both say that, if he wants to, he can hurt me. “It would be best if you weren’t quite so presumptuous. Don’t speak as if you know me.”

“Then don’t be an asshat. Either have it out with Ryder, man to man, or just…let it go. I’m not interested in being in the middle of a vendetta.”

I stand up, ready to leave. As I undo the lock on the door, Anthony’s hand snakes out and tightens around my wrist with crushing force.

I cry out and immediately there’s a commotion outside.

The door to the office crashes open, and Ryder is standing there, feet firmly planted and fists cocked and ready. “Get your hands off my fiancée!” Before I get a chance to gasp, he leaps and punches his former best friend in the jaw.

Anthony shoves me away even as he gets hit; I land hard on my butt. The impact against the cold concrete floor travels along my spine, jarring everything inside.

My neck snaps back, and I hit the wall with the back of my head. My vision dims for a moment; sounds suddenly seem like they’re coming from far away. Pain burns in my back, and my belly cramps hard, as though I’m about to throw up. I have to get out of here before I become collateral damage.





Chapter Thirty-Five



Paige

I blink hard. When my vision focuses again, I see two men—Anthony and Ryder.

Teeth bared, they are throwing punches at each other with a wild savagery that makes my mouth dry. Neither seems to care if he gets hit, only that he hits the other man.

I look away. I can’t even watch a mixed martial arts match on TV. There’s no way I’m watching a real fight between Ryder and Anthony.

The door shakes with a loud boom, and I almost jump. “Open the damn door!” comes TJ’s voice from the other side.

TJ! He’ll know what to do.

Pushing myself up with my hands, I manage to stand. Pain sears my hips, but I ignore that and undo the latch.

TJ and another bouncer rush in. Anthony and Ryder are no match for two bouncers who have tons of practice dealing with unruly patrons.

Thankfully they didn’t have enough time to break anything serious. Anthony’s left eye is swollen and red—probably going to turn purple and puff up until it closes altogether—while Ryder has a split lower lip that’s going to blow up like a balloon.

From the way Ryder is holding a hand against his ribs, I know he got punched there pretty hard. Anthony doesn’t seem to be doing much better. His posture’s bent forward as though he’s in pain.