Chapter 22
I slid into the driver’s seat of my Mercedes, catching Adrian’s subtle smirk as he settled. in beside me. Through the rearview mirror, I watched Primo guide Yesha into his black Bentley with mechanical precision. His shoulders were rigid, betraying the fury simmering beneath his polished exterior.
“That went well,” Adrian said as I pulled onto the main road.
“Too well. He’s going to make us pay for it.” I gripped the steering wheel tighter.
The drive to Le Rouge passed in comfortable silence. The new rooftop section gleamed like a beacon against the night sky, all glass and sleek metal. Primo’s car pulled in right behind us.
The hostess led us up to the exclusive area. Floor–to–ceiling windows offered a
panoramic view of the city lights, but the tension crackling between us
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overshadowed any appreciation for the
scenery.
Primo’s jaw worked as we were shown to adjacent booths. His hand gripped Yesha’s arm just a fraction too tight as he guided her to their table. The message was clear – she wasn’t to leave his side.
I slid into the booth across from Adrian, maintaining deliberate eye contact with Primo as I did so. His gaze could have melted steel.
The tables were close enough that we could hear each other’s conversations, but far enough to maintain the illusion of privacy. Yesha perched on the edge of her seat like a bird ready to take flight, while Primo lounged back with calculated casualness.
A waiter appeared to take our drink orders. The artificial politeness in Primo’s voice as he ordered a bottle of champagne made my
skin crawl.
“You’ve crossed a line tonight.” Primo’s
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Chapter 22
voice cut through the ambient noise. He turned to face our table, champagne glass dangling from his fingers. “Both of you.”
I met his gaze. “I wasn’t aware there were lines left to cross.”
“Oh, there are always lines, dear.” His lips curled into that familiar cruel smile. “And consequences for crossing them.”
Adrian’s hand brushed mine under the table. A warning.
“Is that a threat, Primo?” I kept my voice steady.
“Consider it a preview.” He leaned forward. “You think you’re so clever, playing these games. But after our wedding, I’ll make sure you understand exactly what it means.
to be a Chromos.”
“You seem confident about that wedding.”
“Your family’s future depends on it. Speaking of which how is your father’s. shipping business? I heard there might be
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some… regulatory issues coming up.”
My blood ran cold. Adrian’s fingers tensed against mine.
“Touch my family and-”
“And what?” Primo’s eyes glittered. “You’ll run to your new friend here? What is he gonna do, sell me art?”
Yesha shifted uncomfortably beside him, her practiced smile slipping.
“I’m going to take everything from you, piece by piece,” Primo continued. “Your family’s business, their reputation, their freedom. All those careful little walls
you’ve built? They’ll crumble. And you’ll watch it happen, knowing you could have prevented it all by simply doing what you were told.”
“You really haven’t changed,” I said. “Still the same spoiled child who breaks his toys when he can’t have his way.”
His knuckles whitened around the
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champagne glass. “And you’re still the same naive girl who thinks she can escape what’s already been decided. The difference is, I’ve learned patience.”
Adrian’s low chuckle cut through the tension. “Is that what you call patience? Threatening a woman’s family?” He took a casual sip of his whiskey. “I expected more finesse from the head of the Chromos
family.”
Primo’s face flushed dark red. He slammed his glass down, champagne sloshing over the rim. “You. You’re the real problem here.” He pushed up from his seat, finger jabbing toward Adrian. “You think I didn’t notice how you manipulated Vincent? Planting those doubts, making him. question my judgment?”
I watched Adrian’s expression remain perfectly neutral, which only seemed to
infuriate Primo more.
“You’ve been the biggest thorn in my side. tonight.” Primo’s voice rose, drawing
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attention from nearby tables. “I’m showing tremendous mercy by not pulling my gun on you right now.”
Adrian dabbed his mouth with a napkin, set it down with deliberate care. “Is that so?”
“If you weren’t such a coward, you’d fight me like a man.” Primo’s chest heaved. “Or are you only brave when hiding behind clever words?”
Yesha tugged at Primo’s sleeve, trying to pull him back into his seat. He shook her off roughly.
“Well?” Primo demanded. “What do you say, art dealer? Care to step outside and settle this properly?”
“There’s no need to step outside,” Adrian said, rising from his seat. “Let’s do it here.”
My heart jumped to my throat as Primo lunged forward, knocking over glasses and plates. The crash of shattering crystal punctuated his first wild swing. Adrian
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deflected it, but Primo’s second punch connected with his jaw, sending him stumbling against our table.
“Stop it!” I grabbed Primo’s arm, but he shoved me aside.
The two men grappled between the tables, trading vicious blows. Primo slammed Adrian against the floor–to–ceiling window with enough force to make it rattle. His forearm pressed against Adrian’s throat.
“Not so composed now, are you?” Primo snarled.
“Look at him go!” Yesha’s voice dripped with satisfaction. “Show him what happens when you cross a Chromos.”
Adrian’s face reddened as Primo increased
the pressure. Tables scraped across the floor as other diners scrambled to get clear.
–
Security was nowhere in sight – probably paid off to look the other way.
“Both of you, that’s enough!” I tried to wedge myself between them.
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Primo knocked me back again, harder this time. Adrian’s eyes flashed at that, but
Primo drove his knee into Adrian’s stomach before he could react. Adrian doubled over, and Primo followed with an uppercut that sent him staggering backward.
Blood trickled from Adrian’s split lip. He touched it with his thumb, looked at the red smear. Then he started laughing, a low, dangerous sound that made Primo hesitate.
“That’s it?” Adrian straightened, rolling his shoulders. “My turn now.”
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