Page 145 of The Contract

His gaze lingers too long.

And I feel the barely contained violence coil tight in my chest.

My fingers twitch at my sides before instinct takes over, my grip tightening around Elena’s waist, pulling her closer—a silent warning.

He doesn’t take it.

Adrian’s smirk deepens, his eyes flicking between Elena and me like he’s enjoying some private joke at my expense.

“I have to say, Elena, you’ve got quite a talent for keeping powerful men entertained.”

The words hit like a match to gasoline.

My jaw tightens, my fists flex at my sides. I don’t know what pisses me off more—the audacity of the statement or the way he’s looking at her, like she’s something to be passed around, like he has the right to talk about her at all.

It takes every ounce of control I have not to knock the smugness clean off his face. Instead, I step forward, positioning myself between them, my body blocking his view of her entirely. My voice is low, controlled, lethal.

“Watch the way you talk to my fiancée.”

Adrian lifts his hands in mock surrender, but the smirk never falters.

“Relax, Wolfe,” he drawls, voice dripping with condescension. “I meant it as a compliment.”

Lying bastard.

My fingers twitch at my sides, every muscle in my body coiled tight, ready to snap.

Calloway’s voice carries across the suite, drawing Adrian’s attention. The older man waves him over, gesturing for him to join their small group at the far end of the room.

Adrian lingers.

He should just walk the fuck away. Take whatever shred of dignity he has left and leave.

But instead, he steps in, just close enough that no one else can hear.

His voice is low, laced with poison, looking around me, right at Elena.

“When he’s finished with you… tell me how much.”

He winks. Smiles.

And I lose it.

The growl rumbles from deep in my chest before I can stop it. My vision narrows, my body moving on instinct, fists clenching as I lunge for him.

I don’t care about the setting, the crowd, the fact that Calloway is just feet away—none of it matters.

I’m going to break this bastard.

But before I can get my hands on him, Elena is there.

Her body presses against mine, her hands splaying against my chest, my face.

Her touch grounding me, pulling me back from the edge.

Elena’s eyes lock onto mine, a silent plea written in their depths.

“Damien,” she murmurs, voice quiet but firm. “Remember. He’s not fucking worth it.”

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