Chapter 15
Chapter Fifteen
Tania
The next morning, the retreat moves into full swing, with more guests arriving and a seemingly endless schedule of activities. Eleanor insists on pairing us all off for a “friendly” golf tournament, which seems less about the sport and more about networking. It’s another carefully crafted stage for Levi to show off his perfectly polished life.
Damon, of course, is here.
I spot him lounging near the golf carts, sipping what I assume is a mimosa despite the early hour. His eyes flick to me the moment I step out onto the course, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. My stomach knots instinctively.
“Perfect,” I mutter under my breath.
“What’s perfect?” Levi asks, walking beside me. He’s dressed casually in a polo and khakis, but the look he gives me is anything but relaxed.
“Damon,” I say simply, nodding in his direction. “Why is he even here?”
“Family friend,” Levi replies tersely. “My mother insisted.”
“Your mother seems to insist on a lot,” I say, trying to keep my tone light. But the tension in Levi’s jaw tells me this is another battle he’s resigned himself to losing.
Eleanor’s “friendly” tournament quickly turns into a subtle competition, with small groups peeling off to play their rounds. Levi and I are paired with Damon and one of Eleanor’s other socialite friends, a woman whose name I can’t remember but whose disdain for me is impossible to ignore.
Damon, naturally, takes every opportunity to needle Levi. But it’s not until the second hole that he turns his attention to me.
“So, Tania,” he says, leaning on his club as we wait for our turn. “How does someone like you end up with someone like Levi?”
I glance at him, frowning. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Oh, nothing,” he says with a shrug, his smirk widening. “It’s just surprising, is all. Levi’s not exactly known for his... openness.”
“I think that’s a question you should ask Levi,” I reply, keeping my voice steady.
Damon chuckles, clearly amused by my deflection. “Come on, now. We’re all friends here. Surely you’ve got a story to share. Did he sweep you off your feet with his charm and, what is it? Reluctant vulnerability?”
The mocking tone in his voice makes my blood boil, but I hold my ground, refusing to let him see how much he’s rattling me. “Levi doesn’t owe you an explanation,” I say coolly. “And neither do I.”
Damon’s smirk falters for a split second, but before he can respond, Levi steps forward.
“That’s enough, Damon,” he says, his voice low and firm.
Damon raises an eyebrow, clearly relishing the confrontation. “Just making conversation, Nichols. No need to get defensive.”
“This isn’t conversation,” Levi snaps, his green eyes flashing with something dangerous. “It’s you being a jackass.”
The words hang in the air, the tension between them crackling like static electricity. For a moment, I think Damon might push further, but then he laughs, holding up his hands in mock surrender.
“Fine, fine,” he says, stepping back. “No need to get worked up. I’ll leave you two lovebirds to it.”
He saunters off, joining the other group at the next hole, but his presence lingers like a bad taste.
I find Levi leaning against the golf cart, his arms crossed as he stares out at the course. His jaw is tight, his expression unreadable, but there’s an edge to him I haven’t seen before.
“Hey,” I say softly, stepping closer. “Are you okay?”
He glances at me, his gaze softening slightly. “I’m fine.”
“You didn’t have to do that,” I say, folding my arms. “Defend me, I mean. I can handle Damon.”
“I know you can,” he replies, his voice quieter now. “But I couldn’t just stand there and let him talk to you like that.”
The sincerity in his voice catches me off guard, and for a moment, I don’t know what to say. Levi Nichols isn’t the type to lose his cool—at least, not in public. But the way he stood up for me, the way he didn’t hesitate to call Damon out, it’s... surprising.
“Thank you,” I say finally, my tone softer now.
He nods, his gaze drifting back to the horizon. “I don’t like him,” he says after a pause. “Never have. He’s always been the kind of guy who pushes boundaries just to see how far he can go.”
“Well, he didn’t get far this time,” I say, trying to lighten the mood.
Levi’s lips twitch into a faint smile, but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “Still. I’m sorry if he made you uncomfortable.”
“I’ve dealt with worse,” I reply, shrugging. “But it’s nice to know you’ve got my back.”
He looks at me then, really looks at me, and for a moment, I feel like I’m seeing a side of him I never expected. The tough, confident exterior he always wears seems to crack, just enough to reveal something vulnerable underneath.
“I always will, Tania,” he says quietly.
The words hang between us, heavy with meaning, and I feel my chest tighten. This is dangerous territory—whatever’s happening between us is starting to feel too real, too complicated. But for some reason, I can’t bring myself to pull away.
Instead, I nod, the weight of his words settling in my chest as we make our way back to the house. And as the retreat continues, I can’t help but wonder if this version of Levi—the one who’s willing to fight for me—is the man I’ve been waiting to see all along.