Page 58 of Her Ruin

Julian was in chinos, a blue button-down, and a sweater over his shoulders. He stood out like a sore thumb. He looked like he’d just come from a family dinner.

He saw me immediately, his expression tight and unreadable.

“Are they loafers?” Rye asked me.

“I will beat the shit out of you,” I warned him as Julian made his way over.

“We need to talk,” Julian snapped as he came to a standstill in front of us.

“You know where my office is,” I told him as I stood. “You should’ve gone there.” I looked down at Rye, flicking my eyes to the back room.

“This isn’t a courtesy meeting,” Julian snapped.

“Yeah.” I gave him a tight smile. “I get it.” I turned back to Rye. “Call me immediately.”

His look was one of brimming amusement as he looked between us both. “And interrupt the lovers’ spat?” He grinned. “I would never.”

“Fuck off,” I muttered as I led Julian away from the lower club. We walked to my office in silence, and when I closed the door, the air between us shifted.

Julian turned towards me, eyes furious. “What the hell was that tonight?”

I walked past him, taking a seat. “A successful event?”

His jaw clenched. “A successful event that Isla worked hard for. That youtookfrom her!”

I sighed. “Again with the taking,” I grumbled. “I took nothing from her. Iremindedher who owns this place.”

Julian’s temper ratcheted up a notch. “She worked her ass off for that event.”

“She did,” I agreed. “It showed.”

Julian stepped closer, laying his hands flat on my desk, leaning on it like he had the right. “You do not get to brush this off. You fucked her over, and you know it.”

Something cold settled in my chest. I tilted my head as I watched him. “Funny,” I murmured. “I don’t think she’d mind if I did.” I knew I’d pushed him when his nostrils flared. “She’s tougher than you think; she will not break because of this. Stop treating her like she’s a fragile doll.”

His gaze flickered, something unreadable passing through it. “She’s not part of your world,” he said, his teeth tightly clenched. “Don’t pull her in.”

“I think we both know it’s unlikely she will ask for an event to be held here again.”

Julian’s jaw tightened. “How can you joke about it?”

“Because it’s business.” I let out a long sigh. “You, of all people, know that.”

He didn’t deny it. The confirmation settled between us, and I let the silence stretch, studying him like I was seeing something I should have noticed a long time ago.

“You came here as her friend,” I started slowly. “But, Julian, this is how I work. You know that. Fuck, Isla knows that.” I gave him a long look. “You’ve been in my world a lot longer; you know this is how it works.”

Julian didn’t blink. Didn’t move.

“I thought you’d be different because it was, you know, Isla.” He shook his head. “I don’t want her here.”

“Then why are you complaining?”

He gave me a look of exasperation. “She’s my best friend.”

“She is, but let’s face it, in here, she may learn some of your secrets, too,” I murmured. He looked back at me, and I saw the torment in his eyes. “She won’t be back,” I assured him.

“Promise me,” he whispered, not meeting my eyes.

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