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Lorenzo’s fists clenched. His jaw ticked in painful restraint before he finally tore his gaze away from Damion and stormed out, Xander close behind.

***

Krystal walked back into the apartment and dropped onto the couch, the suitcase hitting the floor with a heavy thud.

Darren rushed in. “What happened?”

“That damn Cactus!” she screamed, jumping to her feet. “Oh my fucking God!” Her voice cracked with fury as she threw a pillow across the room and knocked over a lamp.

Darren muttered, “So... we’re not leaving?”

“No, we’re not leaving,” she snapped. “That son of a bitch—he’s got Damion. He’s using him to blackmail me. I can’t just disappear. I have no choice but to face him.”

She turned to him, voice firmer. "You need to leave the apartment. I need to talk to him alone."

"Why don’t I stay? In case he gets out of hand?"

Krystal shook her head, drawing in a shaky breath. “He won’t hurt me. Don’t worry. I’ll handle it.”

***

An hour later, the black Rolls-Royce rolled to a stop in front of Krystal’s apartment building. Lorenzo stepped out before the driver could even open the door, the door slamming behind him with force.

Across the street, he saw her.

Krystal stood with her arms folded, her hair and clothes rustling in the cold night wind. The streetlight lit up her pale face and stiff posture.

A man walking by slowed down and turned. His gaze swept over her, and he changed direction, heading straight toward her.

“Hey,” the stranger greeted with a grin. “Can I get your number?”

“Hey,” the stranger greeted with a grin. “Can I get your number?”

Lorenzo’s jaw twitched.

“Number?” he muttered. “She picked me to be her husband. Do you even come close to me?” He let out a dark, mocking laugh.

With a sharp shrug, Lorenzo crossed the street.

Once beside her, he slipped an arm around her waist and looked the man in the eye.

“Do you really think you stand a chance against me?” His brow rose, lips curling with disdain.

Flustered, the man glanced between them and quickly backed away without a word.

Once he was gone, Lorenzo turned to her, his eyes sharp. “You’re really good at attracting bees, aren’t you?”

She pushed his arm off with a glare. "So? What exactly do you want from me?"

His eyes turned to slits, dark and angry. Without a word, he grabbed her wrist and started pulling her along.

"Hey!"

He didn’t slow down.

They reached the building, got into the elevator, and he slammed the button for the fifth floor.

The silence inside the elevator was suffocating.