Page 105 of Vicious Tycoon

“I’m serious. I need you to leave now.”

I peered around for Aires, but he was nowhere in sight. Nobody could see us. We were too far away from the party. It was why I chose this spot. My stomach was in knots, and I felt like I was going to throw up. A sadness washed over me, and for a brief second, I let myself forget who I was. My smile sank, along with my heart.

It all felt so fake and phony, every word he ever said to me. Messing with all my sudden insecurities about everything I said to him. With a heavy sigh, I stood on business.

“I can’t believe you’d drop this on me right now. Now leave.”

Robert sighed deeply but did as I ordered. Capri didn’t break eye contact with me for a few steps, her sympathy spilling out of her. I don’t know how long I stood there when I felt Aires come up behind me.

Before he could say anything to me.

Before he could touch me.

Before…

Before…

Before…

I searched for the truth, silently praying it was all a lie.

I whipped around, stopping him dead in his tracks with our drinks in his hands.

“Did you sign this?”

He took one look at his contract in my grasp, and he didn’t have to tell me. I could already see it in his gaze.

“Bay—”

“Did you sign this contract that says…” It killed me to say it, and I held my stomach. “Per terms and conditions, Nicholas Aires III must pursue Bailey Pierce-McGraw in a romantic manner in order to hype up B. Night’s movieSay You Love Me.”

He winced, not trying to hide it.

“Not limited to kissing, dating, fucking,” I roared, slamming his contract on his chest.

* * *

Aires

For some reason, my stare shifted to her agent and publicist.

“Robert!” I hollered. “You running away from me?”

He halted his steps and turned his ass around to stomp back toward us with Capri tight on his heels. If he wanted to play with fire, then I’d give him a fucking explosion. He didn’t miss a beat, getting right in my face. I didn’t back down. I stood taller, letting him know I wouldn’t go down without a hell of a fight.

I hated that this had to go down at Bailey’s great-grandparents’ anniversary, but he left me no choice in the matter. I had to defend myself. I couldn’t lose her.

I wouldn’t.

I’d make it right with whatever I had to do.

“Who the fuck do you think you are?” I clenched out.

“I’m not the man who’s using Bailey.”

“I beg to differ.”

It was Bailey’s distraught tone that tore my attention to her.

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