Page 129 of In Love with a Ruthless Man

Nick nodded, and having caught sight of Reid heading their way with a cold expression on his face, he murmured, “Lilac and I will handle Chalkias.”

THE PRINCE’S HOLD ONhis wine glass tightened as he felt Fawn’s stricken look scorching his back like an unforgivable wound.

This is the right thing to do.

The best thing to do.

The only thing to do.

But even so, he found himself unable to resist the urge to look back.

And that was when he saw Fawn walking away, with Nathan Callis looking too damn gorgeous by her side, his hand on the small of her back.

He hailed a waiter in a brusque gesture to dispose of his wineglass, knowing that if he didn’t, he would end up snapping it in half.

This is the right thing to do.

The best thing to do.

The only thing to do.

But even so, he found himself making excuses to his guests before swinging away and heading to Nick and Lilac. On the other side of the ballroom, Fawn and Nathan remained close to each other, and the prince’s fists clenched.

Even though he was already retired, Nathan Callis was still considered the world’s most goddamn famous supermodel, a rare breed in the modeling industry because he was the complete fucking package. Stunning looks, lethal sex appeal, and an even more lethal amount of cunning—-

If he found out that Callis had made a move on Fawn—-

Upon reaching Nick and Lilac, the prince asked without preamble, “Where are they going?”

Lilac blinked in surprise, having never heard Reid speak with such cold fury when it came to any of his friends.

“Good evening to you, too.” Nick’s handsome face remained bland.

The prince’s face became flushed, but even so, he said tautly, “I’m not playing games.”

“Neither are we,” Nick answered, unperturbed.

When Reid’s green eyes narrowed, Lilac knew it was time to interfere, saying hastily, “She just went to the powder room,that’s all.”

Knowing that it was unlike Lilac to lie, the prince allowed himself to relax slightly. But when he glanced at Nick again, his green eyes remained hard. “Why did you have to bring her here, Christakos?”

“Because she asked for our help.” It was the truth. “And one look at her, and I knew she was in pain.Because of you—-”

“You know why I have to end it between us,” the prince exploded under his breath. “It’s the only way to keep her safe—-”

“Bullshit.” Grabbing Lilac’s hand, Nick squeezed it tightly as he muttered, “Don’t you think I would have done the same thing for Lilac if I thought it would keep her safe?” When Reid didn’t answer, he said flatly, “Life doesn’t work out that way. Isolating yourself from everyone is never the answer—-”

“It is for me.” The prince’s smile was self-mocking. “I’m the Prince of Darkness, after all.”

And because he was, the prince was destined to live alone.

For as long as he wanted the people who mattered to stay alive—-

He had to live alone.

There was no other choice.

“I’m not arguing about that. Youarethe Prince of Darkness, but goddammit—-” Nick waited for his friend to meet his gaze. “You’re alsoReid Chalkias.You’reboth,Chalkias, and it’s because you’re both that you need her—-” Nick broke off when he saw Fawn on her way back.

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