Page 79 of Oliver
"Foxy's isn't an escort service, Ryan." I sighed, massaging my temples as if he was giving me a headache. "They’re hired for companionship, not for sex. You of all people should know the difference."
His eyes widened. "You know?"
The genuine shock in his expression actually made me laugh. Did he think he’d blindside me into taking him back?
"I know everything there is to know about Oliver," I replied coolly.
"And you're still with him?" Ryan's feigned concern shifted to condescension. "Could you imagine what this would do to your reputation?" He stepped even closer, invading my personal space with practiced precision. "Get ahead of it, babe. Save your career while you still can."
"My career is none of your concern." I stepped sideways, maintaining distance while positioning myself for a clearer exit path. “And neither is my personal life, for that matter.”
"I'm worried about your lack of judgment on this." His voice hardened, the mask of concern slipping.
I rolled my eyes, tired of the charade. "The only thing that should worry anyone is how quickly you're running out of friends at this wedding."
It was a calculated risk, reminding him that he wasn't as universally beloved as he pretended. His jaw tightened, confirming I'd hit a nerve.
I moved to leave, but his hand shot out, closing around my upper arm with bruising force. I'd anticipated it—Ryan always got physical when verbal tactics failed—but preparation didn't stop the flash of adrenaline, the instinctive fear response.
"You've changed," he said, his grip painful, his voice cold steel that sent shivers down my spine.
“Let go,” I snarled, trying to wrench my arm out of his grasp.
The old Zahra would have froze, would have apologized, would have done anything to de-escalate. She would have waited for Oliver to magically appear out of thin air and save her.
But that Zahra was gone.
I was sick of waiting for a knight in shining armor who had more secrets than a CIA agent.
The new Zahra? She had zero patience left, and it was high time Ryan learned that. The hard way.
“Make me.” He shrugged, smiling like this was all a big game. Like he wasn't hurting me. Like this was normal.
“This room is monitored for security purposes.” My eyes flicked to the red dot blinking over the shelves behind us. “The very spot we’re standing in is in direct line to the camera.” I flashed him with a million-dollar grin. “Say cheese to hotel security,babe.”
Ryan’s cocky attitude slipped, his jaw clenching hard enough for me to hear his teeth grinding. I kept my cool, smirk still plastered on my face, a cocked eyebrow added for effect, but inside I was a fucking mess, praying Ryan would believe me. Hisfingers tightened briefly, a warning, and then he let go, taking an abrupt step back.
"You used to know your place."
"My place is at Oliver's side," I said, my voice steady despite the thundering of my heart. "It always has been."
"If that piece of shit dares to show his face at the wedding, I'll not only ruin his reputation, I'll rearrange his face." Ryan’s smile returned, the same toothy grin that used to terrify me in high school. "Then we'll see how many friends he really has."
I kept my gaze steady, refusing to show the weakness he expected as I watched him back away slowly toward the exit, straightening his jacket with exaggerated care.
Then, a wink. "See you at the reception, babe."
His footsteps grew fainter until they faded completely.
I exhaled, but the relief was temporary, a shallow breath that barely reached my lungs. My arm throbbed where Ryan had grabbed me, the bruises already threatening to bloom.
I turned in a slow circle, checking the room as if Ryan might still be lurking in some shadowed corner. Empty. Just the polished tables, the hushed clatter of dishes from the kitchen.
The half-assed security camera blinked.
It was a useless piece of garbage. No connection to the main security system, no live feed, and the quality was shit. If I had to guess, anyone caught on this camera would be blurred beyond recognition.
But this morning, that crappy camera was the sole witness of the moment my fear turned into something else.
