Chapter 71
Chapter 71:
It was a vise grip.
Liam turned.
Alistair Thorne stood there. He wore a black dress shirt, unbuttoned at the top. He looked calm—bored, even—but his eyes were black pits of violence.
“Thorne,” Liam sneered. “I should have known. Are you the one ‘occupying’ her p>
“I’m the one keeping her from falling,” Alistair said. “Unlike you p>
Liam swung. It was a clumsy, jealous punch aimed at Alistair’s jaw.
Alistair didn’t even blink. He caught Liam’s fist in his open palm.
He squeezed. Liam grimaced, his knuckles grinding together.
Alistair shoved him back. Liam stumbled, hitting the railing.
Security guards swarmed them.
“Mr. Thorne,” the head of security said, bowing his head. “Is there a problem p>
“Mr. Kensington was just leaving,” Alistair said.
Liam looked around. The crowd was watching. Skye was looking at him with pure disgust. She wasn’t looking at him with love, or even anger anymore. Just repulsion.
“Skye,” Liam pleaded, his voice breaking. “Please p>
Skye turned away. She swayed, her balance failing her. Alistair caught her by the waist. He pulled her against his chest.
“I’ve got you,” Alistair murmured into her hair.
“I think I’m going to be sick,” Skye mumbled.
Alistair chuckled darkly. He bent down and scooped her up in his arms, bridal style. “Let’s get you out of here p>
He carried her past Liam. Liam reached out a hand, his fingers brushing the hem of her silver dress.
“Don’t touch her,” Alistair warned, his voice low. “Go back to your house guest, Kensington. You made your choice p>
Alistair carried her out the back exit, into the cool night air.
𝘚ha𝘳𝖾 𝘆𝘰𝗎𝗋 𝖿𝘢𝘷𝗈𝗋𝘪𝗍𝖾𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝘰𝘮 𝖻𝖾l𝘯𝘰𝘃еlѕ.𝗰𝗼𝗆
Felix opened the door of the Bentley.
“To The Spire?” Felix asked.
“Yes,” Alistair said. He placed Skye gently in the backseat. Skye slumped against the leather. She looked up at Alistair as he slid in beside her.
“I can walk,” she slurred.
“I know,” Alistair said, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “But tonight, you don’t have to p>
“Piggyback,” Skye muttered, her eyes closing. “Next time… piggyback. Less… romantic p>
Alistair smiled. It was a genuine, soft smile that Liam Kensington had never earned.
“Deal,” Alistair whispered.
As the car pulled away, Liam stood alone in the alley, the bass of the club thumping behind him like a dying heartbeat. He looked at his empty hands. He had the house. He had the girl he thought he wanted.
But he had lost the only thing that mattered.
Sunlight sliced through the blinds of The Spire’s penthouse, cutting the room into strips of gold and dust. Skye Sterling woke with a gasp, her lungs expanding rapidly as if she had been holding her breath all night.