Page 157 of Begin Again, Part 1

"No, I don't," Liam said, finally peeling his gaze from her. "What are you doing here anyway? I thought the match was in the basement?"

Eden's head shot up at his question, and she stared at the two of them, amazed. She didn't even know Crush had a basement. What else went on down there besides round-robin poker tournaments for billionaires? She was suddenly curious about Liam's extracurricular activities.

"I saw something I like, and I had to check it out," Aleksei announced, winking at her.

A low growl rumbled deep in Liam's chest. "Move along, Ivanov. There's nothing for you here."

"Oh, but there is."

"Don't make me repeat myself," Liam warned him.

"Why don't we ask the little lady what she wants?"

Eden wanted no part of their pissing contest. But the man's condescending tone rubbed her all kinds of the wrong way. She couldn't sit still.

"I don't know what century you're from, Mr Ivanov," she said with a calmness she didn't feel, her voice steadier than her insides shaking from anger. "But in this century, you don't call a grown woman' little lady'. And I'd like to be left alone."

"I'm sorry I offended you." Aleksei bowed his head ruefully. "It wasn't my intention."

Eden dismissed his apology with a careless shrug. "I'm sure your game is about to start. You both should head down."

"Go ahead." Liam jerked his head at the other man. "I'll come down soon. I need to talk to my assistant."

"Whatever floats your boat, Anderson." Aleksei smiled and winked at Eden before vanishing from the booth.

"Are you okay?" Liam asked when they were alone. "Did he do anything to you?"

"I'm fine, thank you, Mr Anderson," she nodded quickly.

"Where are the others?" he demanded, his tone suddenly harsh. "Why are you alone?"

"I—I don't know—" Eden stammered, stunned by his unexpected anger.

"And why would you even entertain Ivanov? Don't you know how dangerous he is?" Liam lost his crap all over her. But she refused to sit back and take it. She dished some of her own, her sharp tone matching his.

"Well, I'm not the one playing poker with him now, am I?"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You know he's dangerous, yet here you are. If anyone is in any danger, it's you."

"I can take care of myself!"

"And I can't?"

"You damn well can't, Eden! These guys don't fuck around. I've got too much shit on my plate to worry about your safety, too!" he barked at her.

"I'm not your concern, Mr Anderson. There's no need for you to worry about me!" she snapped back at him, unable to believe the nonsense coming out of his mouth. She was so furious, her whole body was shaking. But more than anything, she was deeply disappointed at his assumption that just because she was a woman, she couldn't take care of herself and needed a man's—his— protection.

"Do you have no fear?" Liam gritted his teeth and glared at her. "Do you have any idea the danger you were in if I didn't show up when I did?"

"What danger? I just met the man. He bought me a drink, I sent it back, and he came over to introduce himself. Nothing happened. Actually, why the hell am I even explaining myself to you?" Eden asked, narrowing her eyes as she straightened her shoulders in a desperate attempt to match his height. But even in her four-inch stilettos, she still had to look up at him.

"For my sanity and peace of mind, stay the fuck away from Aleksei," Liam scowled at her. "And don't accept drinks from anyone, especially from him. If you must drink, come find me in the basement!"

"You know I don't drink," Eden reminded him, unable to understand why he was so angry with her when she didn't do anything wrong. "And even if I did, I can buy my own drinks!"

"Very well, Princess. Keep it that way. And I'm dead serious about not accepting anything from anyone here. In fact, you should head home right now."

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