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Shaking my head, I step closer, ignoring the way the space between us seems to thrum with heat. Great. Now even proximity is an issue.

I do my best to pretend I don't notice. That I don't feel it. That Liam Carter standing there, doing absolutely nothing, isn't somehow the most aggravating thing in the world.

Because, honestly? He is.

Infuriatingly, unfairly attractive and irritating, the man is a menace.

I grimace. "You won't talk about her. You won't tell me what she's capable of. And now, when she's literally sending threats, you're still trying to keep me away." I take another step forward, ignoring the way my pulse kicks up as I invade his space. "So yeah, Liam. I think a part of you is still protecting her."

He breathes in sharply, nostrils flaring. "You have no idea what you're talking about."

I tilt my head, letting my voice drop just enough to needle him. "Then explain it to me."

Anger flickers across his face, but instead of answering, he pushes off from the counter and moves away.

I almost stagger at the loss of heat between us.

"I'm not protecting her," he says briefly. "I'm protecting you."

Well, that's an incredibly manly thing to say, but that's also what most men say when they have nothing else to offer.It's not you, it’s me. I'm doing this for your safety. If it's going to hurt you, let's not do it.

The question is, is Liam one of those men?

Liam shakes his head, gaze flickering over my face like he's willing me to understand. "You think this is about avoiding her? Keeping secrets? It's not. It's about the fact that Vanessa doesn't play fair. And she doesn't lose."

The words settle between us, thick and suffocating.

For a moment, I hesitate.

Because I hear the truth in them. The warning. The way his voice dips with something like experience.

But then I think about my brothers. About the text messages. About how someone has already decided I'm a pawn in this.

I shake my head. "I'm not backing down."

Liam lets out a dry, almost bitter laugh. "Of course you're not."

I cross my arms, locking eyes with him. "Then stop wasting time and put on a suit, Carter. We've got a gala to crash."

He exhales slowly, long and heavy, like he's regretting every life choice that led him to this moment.

Then, after a long beat, he mutters, "You're gonna be the death of me, Bennett."

At this point, I scrape together a smile. "Then at least you'll go out looking good."

8

LIAM

Ava thinks we need some grand, elaborate scheme to get into Vanessa's gala.

Me? I make a phone call.

Actually, three.

The first one is to James Langley, because as much as the guy irritates me, he owes me a favor. A few strings pulled, a few half-assed pleasantries exchanged, and suddenly, my name is on the guest list. Easy.

The second call is to Tyler—because even if this is just an "investigative mission", I'm not walking Ava into Vanessa Chase's world without backup on standby. Tyler doesn't ask too many questions, just mutters something about how I "owe him expensive whiskey" before hanging up.