Page 31 of Their Diamond Ring Ruse

‘You’re going to take off his ring. People expect us to be together. I won’t have you embarrassing me.’

His teeth were clenched. There was a wild look in his eyes.

‘People expect us to be together because you let them think that. You didn’t have to agree to this madness.’

And for that Lily would never forgive him. She wasn’t a trinket to be given or owned. She was a successful businesswoman with a first-rate education.

‘Stop. Being. Stubborn,’ said Lincoln. ‘You’re leaving with me.’

‘I suggest you take your hands off her right now.’

Lily nearly sagged with relief at hearing that low, smooth voice dripping with fury. Rage had turned Julian’s eyes more vividly green than she had ever seen them. She didn’t know why he was here, she was just happy that he was.

* * *

Julian looked at the hand around Lily’s arm, and then at the man holding her in place. A blistering rage overcame him. He wanted to rip into Lincoln. Tear him away from Lily. Only violence would satisfy his fury.

‘Ford.’ Lincoln curled his lip. ‘This doesn’t concern you.’

His muscles coiled beneath his expensive suit, Julian prowled towards them. ‘You’re touching what’s mine. It very much concerns me.’

He stepped between Lily and Lincoln, prising his hand off her using a deathly grip that had Lincoln blanching.

‘Leave. While you still can,’ he growled.

Because if he didn’t Julian was certain that Lincoln would only be leaving in the back of an ambulance. The image of another bloodied and broken man on a stretcher came to his mind, but this time Julian wouldn’t feel a shred of guilt for putting him there.

At university it had taken him one moment to lose control—one snap of his temper to get his fists flying. He had been so far gone in his anger that he didn’t remember a great deal of what had occurred. What he did remember was the satisfying connection of his fist, over and over again, with the guy’s face and body. Pummelling him. Seeing the blood coating his own knuckles and shirt.

It had taken Henry’s intervention to smooth things over. Julian had got lucky. But his mentor had made sure he had another outlet for his rage after that, and Julian had recognised the violence he was capable of.

Now, both men stared each other down, but with Julian shielding Lily, he would not be the one to cave. He hadn’t meant to call her his, but now that the words had left his lips he liked the way it had sounded. Lily was his.

In those extra minutes he’d needed after she’d left the office last night, he’d realised how consumed he was with her. Which was dangerous to his goals. To his need for control. That was why he’d come here now. To make sure she understood that nothing further could come from what they had shared. That he had Arum and Zenith to consider. Neither of them was looking for more. That wasn’t part of their agreement. He’d wanted to have that conversation in person. Now he was thankful for deciding to do that.

Lincoln spun on his heel and left.

Only once the door had slowly swung closed did Julian turn around. He took Lily’s face in his hands, lowering himself to look into her eyes. ‘Are you hurt?’

‘No. No, I’m fine,’ she reassured him.

‘Let me see.’

He pushed her sleeve up to see light red bands on her tanned skin. His breathing grew ragged.

‘Julian, I’m fine,’ she said, touching his cheek. ‘Look, they’re already fading.’

‘Don’t worry, baby, I’m fine.’

He flinched at the memory. He wasn’t going to let that happen again. Not to Lily. He would protect her from everyone.

‘I’m moving up our timetable. You’re moving in with me now.’

‘Julian...’

‘You’re not safe alone, Lily.’

His voice had still not returned to its normal register.

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