Page 101 of Worth the Trouble

“Don’t you dare put a fucking hand on her.” Rome’s gaze is murderous.

“I could charge you with assault.” Vaughn smirks, like this is the reaction he was hoping for.

He must not see what I’m seeing because when Rome smiles back there’s nothing gentle about it. It’s a warning, like he is seriously considering snapping Vaughn’s neck.

Walking up slowly, I place my hand on Rome’s shoulder. “He’s not worth it.”

The muscles in Rome’s forearm flex as he tightens his grip, holding it like that for a long moment before dropping his hand. I sense it took everything in him to do it as Vaughn tries to catch his breath.

Rome steps back, but he keeps his body between Vaughn and me as Vaughn stands up tall and starts laughing. It’s not playful or amused, it’s maniacal. And it gives me a sinking feeling in my stomach.

“Cute,” Vaughn says, catching his breath, and I realize Mom has come up beside him, but she’s quiet.

Mom is an opinionated woman, except around certain men—Vaughn is one of them. She wants their money and their status. So she allows them the guise of feeling like they’re in control if it means staying in their good graces.

But right now, when I meet her stare, she looks worried. I’m not sure she’s seen this side of Vaughn before, and Rome’s protective actions aren’t de-escalating the situation. I feel her thinking the same thing I am,how far is this going to go?

“You’ve had your fun.” Vaughn’s looking at me again, ignoring Rome between us. “Strip clubs and bars and God knows whatever else.”

“How do you—”

“I know everything you do, Lili.” Vaughn cuts me off. “And this ends now.”

“It’s adorable you think that’s your decision,” Rome says, narrowing his eyes at Vaughn.

In my social circle, Vaughn is a powerful man. People don’t talk back or stand up to him, but Rome is Rome, and he doesn’t care. He is who he is, and he says what he wants. And he’s standing up for me.

It’s almost…romantic?

“It is my decision,” Vaughn’s eyes snap to Rome. “Who do you think runs the company that owns her career? One word and I could end it.”

Rome’s jaw hardens at the realization. He and I haven’t talked about the fact that my ex-boyfriend has complete control over my future in dance. He made me who I am, and he could take it all away if he wanted. It’s how he’s kept his place in my life this long.

When you sell your soul to the devil, he usually intends to keep it.

“Trust me when I say, you don’t need this trouble.” Vaughn might still be talking to Rome, but his eyes scan me like I’m nothing, an object in this conversation. “I’ve heard about your reputation, anyway. You won’t be lonely for long. Lili is mine.”

“Wrong again. She’s not anyone’s but her own because she’s a fucking person.” Rome takes a step toward him. “And if you say that shit again, I might be tempted to show you the parts of my reputation that are less known by the press.”

His fingers flex, and I can sense him holding back, but the dam is so close to breaking. Water beats on the wall, and he’s begging Vaughn to do one thing to push him over the edge.

“She is mine,” Vaughn says, stepping in. “From her career to her fucking virginity, you piece of rock star trash.”

I don’t know who moves first, but Mom steps back as chaos unfolds. It’s like watching lightning strike a foot away from you and seeing it split the world open where it once was whole.

Except this is skin, blood, and bone.

They’re on each other, then apart. I can’t tell who is winning or losing as they tumble around. I reach in and try to break them up, but it’s no use, and Rome tries to get between me and Vaughn when Vaughn’s fist almost connects with my jaw in the midst of it.

Rome hits Vaughn in the face so hard I’m sure it breaks his nose, but Vaughn retaliates by shoving Rome against a tree.

“Stop.” I grab onto Vaughn’s arm and try to pull him off, even if I know Rome doesn’t need the help as he’s already recovering.

But Vaughn swings his arm back, shoving me hard.

And time slows as I fall.

Down.

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