Isn’t it a bit weird for us to show up together but then have another woman have her hands all over him?

I had a plan. I had left them together because I wanted to get back at him. Annoy him a bit. But the more I watched her obviously flirting with Warren, the more frustrated I became.

“Yeah,” I said, letting my voice trail off as I turned back to him. “It’s a… complicated situation.”

That’s putting it mildly.

What could I say? I didn’t want to lie, but there was no other way to do it without giving away what was truly happening.

Ezra leaned closer.

“I know what he said about your dad… and what happened after,” he whispered. He clearly wasn’t joking anymore. “Is he tying you to him with a debt of some sort? Taking advantage of what he’s done? If you need anything, I can help. Like I said, my company isn’t the best of the best, but maybe I can figure out a way to… make you safe. To get him to back off.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat. His sincerity took me off guard and started to break down my carefully built walls.

“I appreciate the offer,” I said and let my hand fall to his arm. “But I’m fine. I don’t need help. We have an… arrangement. He’s not taking advantage of me.”

At least not in the way you think.

“If you’re sure,” he replied, though his tone told me he didn’t quite believe me. His hand came to rest on mine. “I’ll give you my number. If anything comes up—and I mean anything—you call⁠—”

“Hello everyone, welcome to the first charity event of the year!” Dominic’s voice filtered through the speakers on every corner of the house. Our gazes snapped toward him as he walked down the grand staircase. Two assistants were at his side, both of them holding a painting that was no bigger than their torso.

They stopped at the last step while Dominic continued on as people gathered around him.

“I guess we better go,” Ezra said and motioned me forward, our conversation forgotten while I tried not to let the relief show on my face.

I nodded and led him to the middle, watching as Dominic patiently waited for the crowd to gather with a smile.

A familiar scent wafted over me. It was warm, musky, and had goose bumps rising all over my skin. I tried not to give in to the urge to look up at Warren, but I failed almost immediately.

His eyes were locked on Dominic, giving me a rare chance to stare at him without his intense gaze on me. My eyes followed the column of his throat, his Adam’s apple, then his strong jaw.