12. Chapter 11
Ria
“Lily, babe?” Grace shouts over the beat of some R you don’t own her,” Lily snaps, baring her teeth.
“Keep your nose out of this.” He moves into Lily’s space and she lifts her chin, not backing down.
“D-don’t s-speak to her like that,” Trixie slurs.
“Look at you. You can barely string a sentence together.” He tips her chin up roughly with his fingers as his lips curl in disgust. “You’re a disgrace. You either come home with me now, or you’ll face the consequences when you get home because I will not be made a fool of.”
“And what fucking consequences are they, St. Claire?” Lifting a questioning brow, I stare up into the face of my ex.
“I think you need to back off.” The way he takes me in, slowly trailing his eyes up the length of me, pausing briefly on the curves the costume doesn’t hide, sends a shiver through my whole body, and not a nice one.
“Back off?” His voice rises as Trixie shuffles out of Lily’s hold, her eyes never looking up as she grazes her palm up his chest. The movement has Ezra’s shoulders sagging, and he pulls her to him. “You’ve corrupted my girlfriend. She doesn’t drink anymore.”
“What the fuck? Since when?” Lily rears back at his outburst.
“Since she agreed she makes terrible decisions when she drinks. Isn’t that right, Trixie?” He brushes her hair off her face before cradling her cheek, leveling a soft gaze at her.
“Sorry,” she whispers almost inaudibly.
“Good girl. Let’s go pack your shit; you’re coming home.” He kisses her gently on her lips.
“I don’t think so,” I scoff. And everyone turns to look at me. “She stays. And she can drink if she wants. We will look after her.”
Slowly, he moves away from Trixie, getting in my face, his tender moment long forgotten. “You aren’t looking after her. Look at the state of her.” He points toward Trixie who is swaying slightly as Lily reaches to hold her up.
“She was fine until you showed up.” I jab a finger in his chest. “She’s Jade’s bridesmaid and she’s going nowhere.”
“Then I'll just have to stay here and keep an eye on her myself.”
“She’s in good hands, Ezra,” I grit out. This prick isn’t getting his own way, not today.
“What is he doing here?” Beck stomps out of the club, fists clenched at his sides and his eyes darting from Ezra to Trixie, with Deacon, Leo, and Noah hot on his heels.
“I’m here to take my girlfriend home.” He puffs his chest out as he takes a possessive grip on Trixie.
“Like hell you are.” Beck reaches for Trixie but she shifts slightly away. A flash of hurt moves over Beck’s face, but he quickly disguises it, his stony gaze fixed on Ezra.
“That’s not for any of you to say.” He barges past me, knocking me slightly off-balance, and Leo goes to move for him but I shake my head, not wanting to make this situation even worse. “Trixie, you’re coming home where I can look after you properly.”
She stumbles next to him, slowly shaking her head. “I…I’m staying,” she stutters as he drags her toward the waiting cab.
“We’ve got things to discuss, Trixie.” He continues to pull her along. “Alone.”
“But…but, I can’t leave Jade,” she pleads.
“Leave Jade?” He pauses and she almost falls over at his abrupt movement. “Or leave him?”
Beck steps forward but Trixie stands tall, quickly answering, “Jade.” Beck’s face crumples as he watches, his posture defeated as Trixie repeats in a hushed tone, “Jade.” Cupping Ezra’s jaw, she pulls his face to hers. “I’m here for Jade.”
Closing his eyes, Ezra whispers against her lips. “If you won’t leave then neither will I.”
“But we don’t leave for a few more days, Ezra.
If you’re staying then you’ll miss something very important, won’t you?
Or jet lag could affect your judgment on certain tasks,” I snark and Leo frowns at me but I ignore him, as Ezra brings his intense glare on me.
“You know that thing that’s going to push you to the top? ” I continue to goad.
“You think I won’t rearrange that meeting?” he snarls, flashing his teeth.
“Oh, I know you would rearrange but would Mr. West want to rearrange?” Walking toward him, I pause when I’m back in his space, crossing my arms over my chest and having a standoff with him.
“He’s a very busy man; he might not have time for you in his schedule if you let him down.
” I know I’ve got him when his lips twitch ever so slightly.
“He would make time, surely.” He’s trying to sound assured, but I sense the slight dip in his tone. He’s questioning himself.
“Grace? How difficult was it to secure a meeting with Mr. West?” I ask, not taking my eyes off Ezra. I’m not backing down. I’m in business mode now, and this is where I get people to do what I want.
“Pretty difficult, actually. The man is booked up for weeks. We were lucky he had a cancellation,” Grace pipes up, slipping easily into her role as my competent PA.
“Are you willing to take that risk?” I smile smugly at Ezra, knowing full well that work and the possibility of more money will trump anything and anyone.
“Fine,” he growls. “Trixie, let’s go.” Grasping her tightly around the waist, he hauls her to him. Her head whips between us all, and he whispers something in her ear that has her looking down at her feet. We silently watch as they get into the cab and drive off down the strip.
“Babe, I'm worried about this.” Grace turns to Lily who is tucked protectively under Marcus’s arm.
“Me too,” Lily says quietly, worry laced in her tone. “I’ve had a bad feeling about him for a while, but seeing that, I’m now thinking I should have stepped in sooner.”