Damon chuckles, clearly amused by my deflection. “Come on, now. We’re all friends here. Surely you’ve got a story to share. Did he sweep you off your feet with his charm and, what is it? Reluctant vulnerability?”

The mocking tone in his voice makes my blood boil, but I hold my ground, refusing to let him see how much he’s rattling me. “Levi doesn’t owe you an explanation,” I say coolly. “And neither do I.”

Damon’s smirk falters for a split second, but before he can respond, Levi steps forward.

“That’s enough, Damon,” he says, his voice low and firm.

Damon raises an eyebrow, clearly relishing the confrontation. “Just making conversation, Nichols. No need to get defensive.”

“This isn’t conversation,” Levi snaps, his green eyes flashing with something dangerous. “It’s you being a jackass.”

The words hang in the air, the tension between them crackling like static electricity. For a moment, I think Damon might push further, but then he laughs, holding up his hands in mock surrender.

“Fine, fine,” he says, stepping back. “No need to get worked up. I’ll leave you two lovebirds to it.”

He saunters off, joining the other group at the next hole, but his presence lingers like a bad taste.

I findLevi leaning against the golf cart, his arms crossed as he stares out at the course. His jaw is tight, his expression unreadable, but there’s an edge to him I haven’t seen before.

“Hey,” I say softly, stepping closer. “Are you okay?”

He glances at me, his gaze softening slightly. “I’m fine.”

“You didn’t have to do that,” I say, folding my arms. “Defend me, I mean. I can handle Damon.”

“I know you can,” he replies, his voice quieter now. “But I couldn’t just stand there and let him talk to you like that.”

The sincerity in his voice catches me off guard, and for a moment, I don’t know what to say. Levi Nichols isn’t the type to lose his cool—at least, not in public. But the way he stood up for me, the way he didn’t hesitate to call Damon out, it’s... surprising.

“Thank you,” I say finally, my tone softer now.

He nods, his gaze drifting back to the horizon. “I don’t like him,” he says after a pause. “Never have. He’s always been the kind of guy who pushes boundaries just to see how far he can go.”

“Well, he didn’t get far this time,” I say, trying to lighten the mood.

Levi’s lips twitch into a faint smile, but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “Still. I’m sorry if he made you uncomfortable.”

“I’ve dealt with worse,” I reply, shrugging. “But it’s nice to know you’ve got my back.”

He looks at me then, really looks at me, and for a moment, I feel like I’m seeing a side of him I never expected. The tough, confident exterior he always wears seems to crack, just enough to reveal something vulnerable underneath.

“I always will, Tania,” he says quietly.

The words hang between us, heavy with meaning, and I feel my chest tighten. This is dangerous territory—whatever’s happening between us is starting to feel too real, too complicated. But for some reason, I can’t bring myself to pull away.

Instead, I nod, the weight of his words settling in my chest as we make our way back to the house. And as the retreat continues, I can’t help but wonder if this version of Levi—the one who’s willing to fight for me—is the man I’ve been waiting to see all along.

Chapter Sixteen

Levi

The estate is quiet tonight, the kind of stillness that settles only after a long day of forced smiles and carefully curated interactions. The retreat guests have retired to their rooms, leaving the sprawling gardens bathed in moonlight, serene and untouched.

I step outside, needing the cool air to clear my head. The tension from the day still clings to me—Damon’s taunts, the constant performance, and the way Tania looked at me after I defended her. Like she wasn’t sure if she should thank me or walk away.

I don’t blame her. I barely know what I’m doing anymore.

As I round the corner of the garden, I spot her. She’s standing near the koi pond, the moonlight catching the curve of her profile. Her emerald-green dress from dinner flows softly in the breeze, and she looks so effortlessly stunning that it stops me in my tracks.