31. Chapter 30
Ria
You’d think seeing my ex propose to another woman would upset me, but truthfully it doesn’t.
I’m more concerned when Trixie says yes and he slips a ring on her finger.
There’s a slight flicker of regret in her eyes before he scoops her up and kisses her passionately.
Trixie is a model and has really shone these past few months, so I know it's not the audience that has her worried, but rather who is in the audience. Jade and Lily share a glance, and I know they’re trying to work out how they’re going to play this.
And then there’s Beck who, when I turn, is staggering quickly out of the ballroom, Deacon hot on his heels.
I know this is the exact reaction Ezra wanted.
It’s a power play. To show us and everyone else that he owns Trixie.
He puts her back down, and his eyes find mine across the room. He should be embracing his new fiancée but instead he is looking at me like he has just beaten me again. It’s true—I really was blinded by this man. He’s arrogant beyond belief.
The cheers and applause quiet down from the crowd, and Ezra and Trixie make their way over to us. I’m still tucked into Leo, his body shielding me as he rubs reassuring circles with his thumb on my hip, the move sending the wrong signals to my brain as I feel heat rush to my cheeks.
“Congratulations.” Jade reaches for Trixie. Her tone is upbeat but I can tell she’s trying to be positive for Trixie. They embrace each other and then Lily joins them, shifting so she is on the other side of Trixie as they encircle her.
“Let’s see the goods,” Lily says as they release each other, and light bounces off the square-cut diamond nestled on a delicate platinum band that twists to clasp the diamond above.
Both girls gasp as they take it all in. I get it; it’s absolutely gorgeous.
It is also the same ring from a jeweler in New York that I hinted at for months that I would love if he was ever going to propose to me.
“Good choice.” The sharpness in my tone isn’t missed by the people around me as Leo tightens his hold on me and Hunter gives me a worried look.
“Looks perfect on her finger, doesn’t it? The perfect ring for someone so unique and gorgeous.” He possessively pulls Trixie into him and kisses her temple, making her cheeks flush, but his eyes are on me the whole time.
I raise my eyebrow at him, giving him a fake-as-shit smile. “Perfect.”
“Come on, Trixie, we have so many more people to see.” He starts to pull her away.
“But I haven’t seen the girls since we got back from Vegas, Ezra, and I’ve got big things to tell them.”
“You’ll be seeing them next weekend.” He glares at her as she curls in on herself slightly. “I have to network, Trixie. Look, Cole is signaling us over.” He grins wide as he looks over at where Cole is requesting champagne at the bar.
“But—”
“If you want to keep getting those big deals and modeling contracts then I need to keep moving Peak in the direction it’s going,” he grits out.
“You need me.” My blood boils as the rage builds inside at the way he just cut Trixie down.
The boys go to take a step toward Ezra, but each of us hold them back. This isn’t our fight.
“But—”
“Now, Trixie.” He grabs her hand and she stumbles on her heels as he drags her away before any of us have the chance to bring him down.
“Why did you hold me back, Ri?” Leo looks down at me, rage swirling in his steel-gray eyes.
“I wanted to rearrange that prick’s face.
Didn’t you see how he spoke to Trixie?” I don’t think I’ve ever seen Leo so worked up.
He’s so easygoing and always the one making us all laugh and never without his signature grin that I’m a little taken aback.
Softly, I cup his cheek. “I did,” I reassure him. “But it’s not our fight. Trixie knows where we are.” He closes his eyes and nods slowly, lowering his head to mine as he says in a hushed tone.
“But after what we’ve just seen, with how he treats Trixie, I want to crush him.”