Page 43 of His to Possess
His implication was clear. I could feel Tristan tense beside me, ready to intervene if necessary.
"How fortunate for you," I replied, my tone dripping with sarcasm. "I'm sure you'll make excellent use of her skills."
His smile widened, but then something shifted in his demeanor. His expression darkened, and he took a step forward, closing the distance between us. His voice dropped to a menacing whisper.
"Let me be clear," he said, his eyes boring into mine. "I will make damn sure Laurel never falls victim to your cruel little games, whatever they may be. She's far too valuable and too brilliant to be another one of your discarded toys. That's a promise."
The threat hung in the air between us, heavy and palpable. For a moment, I was stunned by the intensity of his words, the raw determination in his eyes. But before I could respond, his smile was back in place, as if nothing had happened.
He raised his glass in a mocking salute. "Gentlemen, it's been a pleasure. Enjoy the rest of your evening."
With that, August turned and disappeared into the crowd, leaving me fuming in his wake. I clenched my fists, fighting the urge to go after him, to make him pay for his audacity.
I watched August disappear into the crowd, my blood boiling with rage. Tristan placed a hand on my arm, his touch a silent warning.
"Easy, Rex," he cautioned.
"That bastard! How dare he threaten me? How dare he involve Laurel in his games?"
Tristan sighed, leaning against the balcony beside me. "I think you need to tread carefully here. August seemed unhinged. More so than usual."
I turned to him, my eyes narrowing. "What do you mean?"
"This isn't just about business rivalry anymore," Tristan explained, his voice low and serious. "He's making it personal. It's not just about payback for past slights. He genuinely seems to want to protect Laurel from you."
A bitter laugh escaped me. "Protect her? From me? That's rich coming from him."
Tristan's expression darkened. "You know exactly why he's acting this way, Rex. Have you forgotten about Lola?"
The name hit me like a punch to the gut. Lola. August's protégé. The woman I'd collected years ago, leaving her a shell of her former self when I was done. That was why our friendship had fallen apart, after all. Things had never been the same since.
"That was different." My words sounded hollow, even to my own ears.
"Was it?" Tristan challenged. "August cared for Lola, maybe even loved her. And you destroyed her. Is it any wonder he's determined to keep Laurel from suffering the same fate?"
I clenched my jaw, unwilling to acknowledge the truth in his words. "Laurel is different. She's stronger, more resilient. She won't break like Lola did."
Tristan shook his head, disappointment clear in his eyes. "That's not the point. August sees history repeating itself, and he's determined to stop it. He's not just looking for revenge; he genuinely wants to protect Laurel from you. And in the process, he gets to mess with your head."
The realization sank in, cold and uncomfortable. August wasn't just playing games; he was on a mission. And Laurel was caught in the middle.
"What do you suggest I do?" I asked, hating the uncertainty in my voice.
Tristan regarded me for a long moment before speaking. "Be careful. August's not playing by the usual rules anymore. And Laurel… well, she might just be the one who changes everything, considering what I've observed tonight."
I should've known that he'd been watching. That was what he did, after all. I turned away from Tristan, his words about Laurel and August still ringing in my ears. I needed to find her, to get her out of here before things spiraled even further out of control. My eyes scanned the crowd, searching for that familiar flash of auburn hair, but I came up empty.
A cold knot formed in my stomach. Where the hell was she?
"I can't see Laurel anywhere," I said, my voice tight.
He frowned, his gaze sweeping the room. "Perhaps she's in the powder room? Or she might have stepped outside for some air."
I nodded, trying to quell the rising panic in my chest. "Let's split up and look for her. You check the powder room and the adjacent areas. I'll head outside."
Tristan agreed, and we parted ways, each of us moving with purpose through the crowded gallery. I pushed past groups of chattering art enthusiasts, my irritation growing with each step.How could I have let her out of my sight? I should have known better than to bring her here, to expose her to this world.
As I neared the exit, I caught sight of Luka engaged in conversation with a group of admirers. My jaw clenched seeing that she was no longer by his side.
