Page 54

Leaning against the railing, he shoved his hands into his pockets, fists clenched so tight they ached. His glare burned through the glass wall.
His gaze locked on the couple inside.
This was his fault. He had pulled Ellie out of Olivia’s performance because Olivia had deliberately made things difficult for her. And now, because he interfered, Ellie was here—dancing with this bastard.
"You deserve this, Sawyer Stark," he muttered under his breath, the bitter sting gnawing at him. "Try to be nice for once, and this is what you get for interfering in business."
His eyes darkened as the couple inside moved to the beat of the music. Ellie twisted her body against Jeremy’s, her face inches from his, so close it looked like they were on the verge of kissing.
Sawyer’s heart lurched, his chest tightening in a way that felt like it might collapse in on itself. He stiffened, ready to charge in—
But at the last second, Ellie snapped back, twirling out of Jeremy’s hold.
Sawyer exhaled sharply, pressing a hand to his chest. His heart pounded violently.
And it hurt like hell.
His fist flew to his mouth as he bit down on his knuckle, his glare growing sharper.
Then, the dance took a turn for the worse.
Ellie leaned in again. Jeremy’s lips trailed down her neck, up to her jaw, then back again.
That did it.
"Fuck this shit!" Sawyer growled. His entire body snapped into motion as he stormed toward the door.
At that exact moment, Ellie pulled away and clapped her hands. "There! All done! Just remember those moves, and you’ll be perfect to woo an angel on the floor!"
The door slammed open.
Sawyer strode inside, grabbed Ellie’s wrist, and yanked her into him.
"Enough teaching. You’ve done more than enough, and this bastard has learned more than he needs. We’re leaving," he barked.
Before he could pull Ellie away, a hand clamped around Ellie’s wrist from behind.
"What do you think you’re doing?" Jeremy’s voice was cold, dangerously calm.
Ellie’s head snapped toward him in shock. Jeremy was always playful, always joking. She had never seen him like this.
Sawyer’s jaw tightened. Instead of answering, he grabbed Jeremy’s hand—the hand holding Ellie’s—and pried it off with force.
"It’s none of your damn business what I do with my girlfriend."
Jeremy’s gaze sharpened. "She’s not your girlfriend."
Sawyer’s nostrils flared.
"As far as I remember," Jeremy continued coldly, "your girlfriend is the woman you gave your gift to—the one whose proposal you accepted. So why are you still bothering Ellie? How did you even get in here? Who allowed you?"
Before Sawyer could respond, Henry rushed between them, placing a firm but polite hand on Jeremy’s chest.
"Mr. Nox, this is Mr. Sawyer Stark. Owner of Stark Entertainment. I’d advise you to be more respectful."
Jeremy’s eyes flickered with shock.
Then, he looked at Ellie. "Ellie, he’s your boyfriend? Sawyer Stark?"