Page 39 of On the Ropes

Abbey’s temper bristled as Luke continued to behave like an ass toward Mel. He needed to stop. Now. “Luke, that’s enough.”

Luke nodded tersely. “You’re right, princess. I’ve had enough.” Luke turned to Mel and gestured to his empty tumbler. “Looks like you need a refill, Mel.”

Likely relieved to be given an out, Mel held his tumbler up in salute and bolted to the bar without saying a word.

Abbey was ready to throttle Luke. He was out of control. “I really don’t appreciate—”

Luke grabbed the champagne glass out of Abbey’s hand, drained the contents, and slammed it onto the nearest table. “You want to know what I don’t appreciate? I don’t appreciate you throwing yourself at some stiff when you’re supposed to be with me.”

Abbey gasped. How dare Luke say that? Was he serious right now? “Look, I wasn’t throwing myself at anyone. I was having a drink. Mel came up to me. I know you know that because I saw you watching me from the dance floor, so back off.”

Luke balled his hands into fists. “Not happening, princess. In fact, I’d say now is a good time for us to have a private chat about that night. You’ve put me off long enough.”

Not this again. Why won’t he let this go?

Abbey’s temper rose to a full boil. She would make different plans for her reboot weekend. Luke had left her no choice. “I told you. There’s nothing to say about that night. And I’ve changed my mind about this weekend. Reboot with someone else.”

Luke stepped up close. Abbey had to crane her neck to look him in the eye. His beautiful blue eyes bore down on her, fierce with rage. Abbey wasn’t afraid. She knew Luke wouldn’t hurt her, not physically. Her heart was a different story.

“Not happening. We’re going to talk privately and continue on with our weekend together.” Luke took her by the hand and led her to the banquet room doors.

Abbey tried to pull away but Luke wouldn’t let her go. “I told you, I have nothing to say about that night. And our weekend is over. Maybe I’ll really go throw myself at Mel.” She didn’t know why she said that. She didn’t mean it. She wasn’t interested in Mel at all. She’d been looking forward to spending time with Luke—in bed, even if for just the weekend. Come Monday, she’d deal with the harsh realities of her life—unemployed and alone.

“Really? You have nothing to say? Nothing at all? You walked out that night without a word. After ten years, you expect me to believe there’s not one thing you want to say to me?” Luke dragged her through the banquet room doors despite her best efforts to resist and the questioning looks from wedding guests.

Once they were in the hallway, Abbey noticed the several of Luke’s security goons stand at attention. All of them wearing dark suits and ear pieces. Real subtle, Luke. Luke’s security detail had kept the paparazzi away, at least. She was grateful for Jake’s and Cassie’s sake.

“Yes, that’s what I’m saying. I have nothing to say to you about that night.” Abbey was lying, of course. There had been so much she had wanted to say. Back then. Now, though, she didn’t see what difference it would make. What’s done is done.

Rocco burst out of the banquet room with a concerned look in his dark eyes. The other members of the security team looked to him for guidance.

“That’s such bullshit and you know it. I think you have plenty to say but you’re afraid to say it.”

Abbey scoffed. She wasn’t afraid. She was hurting. Still hurting almost as if she had walked in on him with that groupie slut yesterday. The old wounds she had hoped were healed after ten years had burst wide open when she’d seen Luke in the church vestibule. She’d been trying to ignore it, shrug it off, but the hole he’d left in her heart ten years ago was now open and bleeding. After all this time, she still loved him and hated him at the same time. There it was. Abbey didn’t know what to do about it. What could she do? Luke was the one who had dealt their relationship the death blow. Not her.

He dragged her down the hallway past the restrooms. Abbey tried to pull away but was no match for Luke’s strength. “Stop it! I’m not going anywhere with you!” She didn’t care she was shouting, calling unwanted attention to them.

Luke turned to her, his anger seeping out of every pore. “Yes, you fucking are. And you’re going to tell me what you’ve wanted to say to me for the last ten years.”

To her surprise, Luke tossed her over his left shoulder in a fireman’s hold, held on to her legs, and continued down the hallway. Abbey’s hair fell down around her, obstructing her vision. She hit him in the ass repeatedly with her evening bag and kicked her feet. “You asshole! Put me down right now! I’m not saying anything to you!”

Luke ignored her, and she bounced on his shoulder as he stomped his way to their destination. Abbey felt her shoes fall off but kept on kicking. “My shoes! They’re expensive! I had them dyed special to match my dress!”

“Rocco, get her fucking shoes!”

From Abbey’s limited vision she could tell Luke was walking through a doorway. She heard the door click closed. He gently set her down on her stocking-covered feet and she felt dizzy as the blood rushed out of her head. She panted, and she swayed, pushing Luke away when he tried to steady her.

Abbey pulled her hair away from her face and tossed her evening bag on the large dining table that looked like it sat about twenty people. It was covered in a bright white tablecloth with bright white, elegantly folded cloth napkins placed around the table at each chair.

Abbey sat down in the nearest chair and took a few deep breaths, slowly feeling the dizziness subside. Luke sat down next to her but said nothing. His expression was unreadable.

“Now, tell me what you’ve wanted to say to me about that night.” Luke’s demeanor seemed calm and relaxed but Abbey could sense the tension he was holding in. He was wound tight.

Abbey didn’t care though. She’d had enough of this game he was playing. “I told you, I have nothing to say.” She started getting out of her chair but he pushed her back down by her shoulders.

“And I told you, that’s bullshit. Tell me.” His tone was low, growly.

She shook her head, anger simmering just below the surface. “I don’t care what you think, Luke. Not anymore.” Liar. You care a lot. That’s the problem, isn’t it?

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