Page 6 of Lavish

“Omar, snap out of it! You’re making a damn fool of yourself.” Mama’s voice was icy. The smell of her expensive perfume was sharp, almost bitter. Her manicured fingers snapped, summoning security.

I made eye contact with Miles. Inside, everything was a storm—between wanting the success I knew I was destined for and wanting what my heart yearned for.

If I said something, questions would be asked.Why was I defending Miles? Why did I care?Mama would look too closely, and Iknewshe would figure us out immediately. Erik would get angry. Scandal. Corruption. People would talk about me instead of Laurene.

If I spoke, I’d lose King Developments. If I didn’t, I’d lose him.

How do you choose between a legacy and a love that could shatter it all?

“Handle this,” Mama barked at the nearest security, snapping her fingers.

“Let’s get you outta here, Omar,” Daddy said softly.

One of the guards reached out, but Omar snapped—shoving the man so hard he went flying into the dessert table. Guests gasped.

“Stay the fuck away from me!”

Mama’s grip tightened on my arm, her nails digging in like she needed an anchor.

A sickening thud reverberated as Omar’s fists landed on Daddy’s chest when he stepped forward to grab him, sending him stumbling backward and careening to the floor.

“Vincent!” Mama screamed. I jumped in front of her, gently shoving her back a bit.

Daddy hit the ground hard, groaning. Omar was on top of him, his hands clawing at Daddy’s throat. It was terrifying how fast and strong he was. “Daddy!” I yelled.

Miles just stood there like a statue. His eyes were wide, not blinking, like he couldn’t believe what he was seeing. He took a half step forward, then stopped. His hands twitched at his sides, but they didn’t lift.

“Do something!” I yelled at Miles. “Move! Don’t just stand there!”

A second guard tried to rip Omar off, but he stayed put. He was totally unaware of the hands on his shoulders. With a growl, he spun, throwing an elbow into the guard’s face, sending him stumbling backward, his nose spurting blood. The guard collapsed to his knees, gasping for air, his vision likely a blur.

Everyone scattered, yelling, trying to escape from the hell unfurling.

Why couldn’t Miles do something? My father was on the floor, and the man I wanted to marry was standing there stuck on stupid.

Daddy’s body bucked beneath him, his hands clawing at Omar’s wrists, his legs kicking out against the marble floor. His face reddened, veins bulging at his temples as he gasped for air.

I started to rush forward, but I was yanked back abruptly. “Don’t you fucking dare!” Mama hissed at me, dragging me back with force. “You will not be getting hurt.”

“But Daddy?—”

Her grip tightened like a vise. Daddy’s feet scraped the floor, his shoes scuffing the tiles as Omar’s thumbs pressed into his windpipe.

Suddenly Erik was leaping through the crowd.

He crossed the room in less than two strides, and he hit Omar with a full-force shove, driving him into the floor so hard the impact sent a shock wave through the room. More security poured in, and I could see the lights from several phones recording.

Miles finally seem to jump awake, and rushed to Omar. “Pops!”

That didn’t stop Omar.

He was back instantly, like a spring, lunging for Daddy again. But Miles got Omar in a rear chokehold from behind, yanking him back hard. He struggled wildly, trying to escape from his son’s grip.

Omar let out a choked roar, his hands clawing at Miles’s arms, his nails digging into his skin, but Miles didn’t let go.

Erik was on his knees next to Daddy as he helped him up, eyeing Omar like he was bird shit on his windshield. Daddy coughed, his breathing ragged, his hand on his throat.

“Call the police,” Mama barked to a staff member. “Get an ambulance here right away.”