Chapter 116
Chapter 116:
“Don’t touch me,” he said.
The police entered the ballroom. They didn’t go to Ethan. Guided by Julian’s security chief, they walked straight to Seraphina.
“Seraphina Miller?” the officer asked. “We have a complaint for grand larceny and filing a false police report p>
They pulled her up. The torn emerald dress hung off her frame like a rag. She screamed as they cuffed her.
“Liam! Do something! You promised to take care of me p>
Liam turned his back. He adjusted his tie, his hands shaking. He couldn’t look at her. He couldn’t look at anyone.
Skye looked across the room at Julian Vance. Their eyes met. Julian gave a barely perceptible nod, exhaustion evident in the slight droop of his shoulders.
Skye nodded back.
As Seraphina was dragged out, screaming obscenities, Skye felt a hand on her shoulder. It was Ethan.
“Thanks,” Ethan muttered. “I thought I was toast p>
“Thank your brother,” Skye said softly. “He controls the cameras p>
The party was effectively over. The music tried to restart—a hesitant jazz quartet in the corner—but the mood had shattered. Guests were leaving in droves, phones out, already typing tomorrow’s headlines for their social blogs.
Liam stood alone near the untouched buffet. He poured himself a whiskey from a nearby bottle, ignoring the wary looks around him. He kept his eyes on the exit.
He saw Skye walk out, flanked by the Vance brothers. Ethan was animated, reenacting his punch, while Julian moved slowly at their side, measured and careful, occasionally resting a hand on Ethan’s shoulder as if to steady him. A pang of jealousy hit Liam so hard it almost doubled him over. He rubbed his chest where the seatbelt had bruised him weeks ago, the ache flaring with his anger.
It wasn’t just possessiveness. It was the realization that she fit with them—the sharp suit, the cold competence, the danger. She didn’t look like a Kensington wife anymore. She looked like a Vance ally.
𝗜f у𝘰𝘶 𝘀𝘦𝗲 𝗍𝗁𝗶s 𝗻𝗈𝘷еl 𝗼𝗇 𝖺𝗻𝘺 s𝗂𝗍e 𝗈𝘁𝗁𝘦r 𝗍hа𝘯 𝘣e𝗹𝗇ove𝘭ѕ.с𝘰𝗺 і𝘵 𝘪𝘀 𝖺 𝘤𝘰рy
Skye paused at the door. She felt the weight of a gaze on her back. She knew it was Liam. She didn’t turn around. She adjusted her tuxedo jacket and stepped out into the cool night air.
The valet stand was chaos.
“I have the armored SUV,” Julian said, his voice smooth and low. “We can drop you off p>
“I have my car,” Skye started.
“Your car is a target right now,” Julian interrupted gently. “After that stunt? The press is swarming the garage. Ride with us p>
Skye hesitated, then nodded. She climbed into the back of the massive black vehicle. The interior smelled of leather and sanitized air. It was quiet inside, sealed from the city’s noise.
Ethan jumped into the front seat. “Did you see his face? Kensington looked like he swallowed a lemon p>
“Enough, Ethan,” Julian said.
He looked at Skye. “Are you alright p>