Page 30 of The Billionaire's Engagement

“Hey, Lyle, I’m good. I’m actually here in front of Wicked. Just wanted to check if you were here,” I said.

“Yeah, man. I’ll meet you by the front doors,” he said, then hung up.

I entered the lounge and immediately saw Lyle walking toward me. He was dressed in a black suit minus the tie.

He extended his hand, grinning wide.

“It’s good to see you, Hudson. It’s been a while,” Lyle greeted.

I grasped his hand and gave him a bro hug.

“Good to see you, too,” I said.

“What brings you by?” he asked. “Looking to meet some women?” Lyle chuckled.

I wanted to wallow in my misery of not being with Mila.

“No.” I chuckled. “I had a long week and needed to unwind,” I said, which was partially true.

“You caught me before I had to go. My wife and kids were expecting me home an hour ago,” he said, sighing.

“Well, do what you need to do. We’ll catch up next time,” I said.

We gave each other another bro hug and parted ways. I headed into one of the areas, pushing through the crowd of well-dressed people until I reached the bar. I scanned the room and it was a diverse crowd of all ages. I didn’t feel that out of place.

“What can I get you?” the bartender asked, raising his voice over the noise.

“An old fashioned, please,” I told him.

He nodded his head. “You got it.” It didn’t take long for him to make my drink and hand it to me.

I walked around the room, my eyes widening, surprised to see Mila here. I clenched my jaw, narrowing my eyes at the guy talking tomyMila, making her laugh. They were standing close to one another, flirting. Heat rose in my body, my hand tightening around my glass. Before it crushed in my hands, I set it down then stormed over to them.

Mila’s eyes locked with mine, her expression filled with shock. The guy turned to where Mila was looking as I closed the distance between us. I gripped his shoulder and jerked him away from her, making him stumble backward.

“Get lost,” I snarled.

“What the fuck, man!” The guy straightened and took a step forward.

I did the same and towered over him. “I said, get lost, motherfucker. You’re talking tomygirl.” My voice was dark and lethal, my eyes focused on him and intense.

Like a puppy submitting to his master, he stepped back, then left.

I twisted around, facing Mila. She took my breath away at how beautiful she was. She glared at me, her brows furrowed, lips pressed to a thin line, then turned around, walking away.

I grasped her arm, stopping her.

“Mila,” I called out.

She spun around, shaking her arm to get out of my grip. “How dare you…you have no right, Hudson,” she snapped before lifting her hand and slapping me across my cheek.

I rubbed my cheek, surprised that she slapped me, but also a bit turned on.

“I didn’t like the way he was looking at you. He was eye-fucking you,” I growled.

“The moment you left me, you forfeited any hold you had on me,” she growled back.

“I know, but—” I started.

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