Page 81 of Dirty Play

Livia stands in the doorway, already dressed in the green dress from yesterday, her bag over her shoulder. She looks at me, then at Ares. Her expression is blank. Too blank. But her eyes.

Her eyes are glassy.

And that’s when I know. She heard everything.

She doesn’t say anything at first. She just stands there, gripping the strap of her bag so tight her knuckles turn white.

I move first, taking a step toward her.

“Livia…”

“What’s your address?” Her voice is flat, emotionless. But her eyes are filled with so much pain that all I want to do is fall to my knees and explain.

My chest tightens. “Livia, just let me—”

“What’s the damn address, Rowan?” she snaps, her voice shaking now.

Panic claws up my throat. I don’t know how much she heard, but it doesn’t matter. She heard enough. Enough to know that this started as a goddamn setup. That the reason I went after her wasn’t because I wanted her, but because I wanted hergone.

And now she’s walking away.

“No.” I shake my head. “You’re not leaving before I explain.”

She scoffs, eyes flashing with hurt and betrayal before fishing out her phone and opening what looks like the Uber app.

“Give me the address, or I’ll go ask the guards at the gate.”

“Let me drive you.” I take another step toward her. “I’ll explain everything on the way.”

“Don’t.” She takes a step back like she can’t stand to be near me. “Just give me thefuckingaddress, Rowan.”

“Not before you hear me out.” My pulse pounds.

“Oh, I’ve heard more than enough,” her voice cracks. She tilts her chin up, blinking too fast, fighting tears. Fuck.

Ares, who’s been quiet this whole time, finally moves.

“Give me your phone. I’ll type it in.” He stands, calm and steady, holding out a hand.

Livia doesn’t even hesitate, doesn’t look at me. She just drops her phone into Ares’ hand like she can’t get away fast enough.

And fuck, that hurts.

Ares types in the address while I stare at her, trying to figure out what the hell I can say to fix this. But there’s nothing. No words. What the fuck do I say? Yes, I wanted you fired, so you could go back to milking cows and scooping up horse shit cause you were just doing your job, and I still haven’t healed from my stupid trauma? But I'm in love you now, so all is well? I can’t even convince myself that the feelings I’ve developed make this okay. How the fuck am I supposed to convince her?

He hands her the phone back. She glances at the screen, then turns and walks straight for the door.

“I’ll wait outside for the car,” she mutters.

“Wait, please.” I take a step forward, but Ares blocks me with an arm across my chest.

“Don’t,” he says, his deep voice low. “You go after her now, and you’ll make it worse.”

“I can’t just let her walk out of here like that.” I grind my teeth, fists clenching.

“Give her time to cool off.” Ares’ tone leaves no room for argument. “And give yourself time to figure out what the fuck you’re doing. Then, explain.”

The rink is busy when I get there, but I don’t hear any of it. My mind is locked on one thing. I have to find her.

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