But I did it. I stood up for myself against a wealthy, powerful matron at a Morelli event. In front of my mother-in-law, no less. And if I’m not mistaken there was a glimmer of new respect in her green eyes when she left.

I don’t need Leo to protect me. I can protect both of us.

Chapter Four

Haley

“Well,” Daphne says. “That was…” Her cheeks are still red, and I read an apology in her eyes. “I think I’ll get another drink.”

“I’ll go with you. If that’s fine.” Cash wants out of this crowd, and probably to make sure my dad hasn’t entrapped the Chaplin brothers into spending the rest of the evening hearing about his inventions.

“Of course.” Daphne sashays away into the crowd, Cash following.

Leo turns me so I have to look into his eyes. “Tell me what Victoria Lowell said to you.”

“No.”

He takes my hand in his, angling us a different way, and that’s how thin the line is. Arguing. Dancing. We can do both at the same time. The music is loud enough, other couples are close enough. “Yes.”

“What she said doesn’t matter.”

“I disagree.” We’re fully on the dance floor now. People stay out of Leo’s way. That’s because he has no hesitation about taking up space, and also because they’re wary of him. His reputation is real here. “If she insulted my fiancée, I want a word with her.” Anger flashes in his eyes. I can feel it where I’m touching him. It’s a tension like an electrical storm.

I move my hand up from his shoulder to the side of his face. “Don’t think about it for another second. It’s done. I handled it.”

“I’ll throw her out of the party,” Leo says, leaning into my touch. It’s subtle with him, unless you’re paying attention.

“I know.”

“I’ll cause an enormous fucking scene. I don’t care.”

“Yes, you do. It’s Christmas Eve. It’s your favorite, and they haven’t done the tree lightning yet.”

“I don’t care about—” I tip my head up and kiss him. Leo takes instant control, tasting and nipping. But then he pulls back. “Are you sure?”

What he’s really asking is are you okay.

“I’m sure. I’m here with you.” The music stops, and Leo takes me off the dance floor. “Are we leaving?”

“Not yet.” He steps around a group of people, who pull back to make room for him. Victoria Lowell might be a sad, rude woman with no sense of self-preservation, but most of these people know better than to provoke him. Except Leo doesn’t look particularly provoked right now. He’s concentrating. A glance at the tree, and then he stops and pulls me in front of him. Strong arms wrap around me from behind.