Page 30 of Toxic

“You’ll regret this!” Vivian shrieks, her face contorted with fury.

Isabella, regaining her footing, snatches a glass of wine from a passing server and hurls it at me. I sidestep, and the crimson liquid splashes across Vivian’s designer dress instead.

As Vivian howls in outrage, I move swiftly, knocking her clutch from her hands. The contents spill onto the marble floor, including a small vial of pills.

“What’s this?” I ask innocently, eyeing the pills. “Something you wouldn’t want others to find?”

Isabella charges me again, but I’m ready. I deflect her attack, sending her careening into a nearby table. The crash of shattering glass draws the attention of nearby guests.

Regina, realizing the situation has spiraled out of her control, takes a step back. “This isn’t over, Devin,” she snarls before turning on her heel and stalking away.

I watch her go, my exterior calm but my insides churning with a mix of satisfaction and simmering rage. As I turn, my eyes lock with Hawk’s across the room. He’s watching intently.

A few concerned guests approach, but I assure them everything is fine, my voice steady and controlled. As Olivia andI finally make our way to the restroom, she turns to me, her eyes wide.

“Devin, that was... I mean, I knew you could handle yourself, but that was something else,” she says, a hint of awe in her voice.

I offer her a small smile. “Sometimes you have to fight fire with fire,” I reply softly. “Thanks for having my back.”

Olivia squeezes my arm. “Always. But, Devin... there’s more going on here than you’re telling me, isn’t there?”

I meet her gaze in the mirror, seeing the worry etched on her face. For a moment, I consider telling her everything – about Viktor, about the dangers lurking in the shadows. But I can’t bring myself to shatter the relative safety of her world.

“It’s complicated, Liv,” I say finally. “But I promise, I’m handling it.”

She nods, though I can see she’s not entirely convinced. “Just... be careful, okay? And remember, you’re not alone in this. You’ve got me, and you’ve got Hawk.”

At the mention of Hawk’s name, I feel a flutter in my chest. “Speaking of your brother,” I say, attempting to lighten the mood, “how much have you been telling him about me?”

Olivia grins, a mischievous glint in her eye. “Only the good stuff, I promise. Well, mostly.”

We share a laugh, the tension of the earlier confrontation easing slightly. As we exit the restroom, I steel myself for whatever the rest of the evening might bring. With Olivia by my side and Hawk watching over me, I feel a flicker of hope. Maybe, just maybe, I’m not as alone in this as I thought.

When we return to the main hall, my eyes immediately lock onto Hawk. He’s standing rigidly, his expression a mask of cold indifference as Regina places a hand on his arm. The sight sends a fresh wave of anger coursing through me.

Jealousy, hot and fierce, claws at my insides. How dare she touch him? My fingers itch to rip her hand away, to stake myclaim. But I force myself to remain outwardly composed even as my mind races with violent possibilities.

I approach them, my strides purposeful. As I draw near, I hear Hawk’s icy command: “Do not touch me.”

Regina’s saccharine voice grates on my nerves. “Oh, come now, Hawk. There’s no need to be so distant. We could accomplish so much together.”

I position myself beside Hawk, not saying a word but making my presence known. Regina’s eyes flick to me, filled with disdain. “Enjoying the party?” she asks, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

I respond by taking a slow sip of my newly acquired wine, holding her gaze steadily over the rim of the glass. The tension between us is palpable. Inside, I’m seething, imagining all the ways I could make Regina regret ever laying eyes on Hawk. But outwardly, I remain a picture of icy composure.

Hawk turns to me, his brow furrowed slightly. “Is everything all right?” he asks, clearly sensing the undercurrents.

Before I can respond, Hawk cuts Regina off. “Regina, I believe this conversation is over,” he states firmly. “I’m not interested in any partnership with you.”

Regina’s smile tightens, a crack in her polished veneer. “Very well. But don’t say I didn’t offer.” She casts a final, venomous glance at me before disappearing into the crowd.

An awkward silence descends. Hawk studies me, concern evident in his eyes. “You seem unsettled,” he observes.

I drain my wine in one gulp, the alcohol doing little to calm my frayed nerves. “Just family drama,” I reply tersely, my voice betraying none of the turmoil raging within me.

“Do you want to talk about it?” Hawk asks, his voice uncharacteristically gentle.

“No,” I say, suddenly feeling suffocated by the opulent surroundings and prying eyes. “I need some air.”

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