Page 5 of Beautiful Enemy

Harrison crosses to us, stopping in front of the stage. His shirt is open at the collar to expose a tan throat, the muscles flexing lightly.

“Not my problem you can’t keep up with the industry.”

His mouth curves to reveal a smile as perfect as it is cold.

The staff behind the bar have snapped to attention. They didn’t look up when I arrived, but now, they’re hustling to wipe imaginary spots off the surface while sneaking furtive looks at the man before me.

I whirl to face Leni, who lifts a shoulder as if anticipating my accusation.

“Listen…” she starts.

“Leni.” He holds up a hand, cuts her off without so much as a word.

Arrogant prick.

I slam the cover of my notebook and slide it in my bag before shouldering it. “I’m not playing your club,” I toss at the man in front of the stage. “Not tonight, not ever.”

I stalk down the steps and head across the dance floor.

I make it across the club, then yank on the door.

It doesn’t open.

Desperation rises up the second I feel him at my back.

“I’m disappointed.” That smooth voice is inches from my ear, close enough his breath tickles my skin. “I’ve been anticipating this since our first meeting.”

I spin around, my nostrils flaring as I stare up at his infuriatingly gorgeous face.

How could I have mistaken the man at the airport for Harrison King?

No man on earth has his intensity, his charisma.

Even as I want to get as far from him as possible, I can’t help appreciating his beauty.

“A woman was assaulted at my gig in LA,” I bite out, angry with both of us now. “My gig atyour club. Your booking agent didn’t give a shit. No one at corporate returned my calls demanding an explanation. When I finally got to you, you didn’t give a shit either.”

“When you confronted me about it at a mutual friend’s wedding, you mean.”

He says that like it matters.

Too many people give powerful men a pass. I’m not going to let it slide this time.

“If you think I have time to personally care for everyone who sets foot in a building with my name on the deed,” he goes on, “you underestimate the size of my empire.”

I lift my chin. “If you can’t protect the people you serve, you have no right to one.”

His throat bobs, a flicker of surprise flitting through his eyes.

Because he’s surprised I think that, or because I’m unwilling to back down?

It doesn’t matter.

What matters is even kings have vulnerabilities.

I try the door again, realizing the lock is on. After turning it, I yank the door open, grab my bag, and run past the confused security guard on the other side.

In the parking lot, I’m breathing heavily as I pull out my phone to call Toro. I need to get out of here—out of this man’s presence. At my resort, I can figure out what the hell to do next.

---