Bound to my Enemy Chapter 10 - TEN

"I wasn’t looking," Ivy continued quickly.

"Soone bumped into and I just.....I’m really sorry, I’ll pay for the cleaning, I swear."

I pushed through the small crowd without thinking.

"Ivy."

Her head snapped toward like she’d been holding her breath this entire ti. Relief flooded her face instantly.

"Elaine."

I stepped between her and the man without hesitation, my body acting before my mind caught up.

"It’s fine," I said, glancing briefly at the spill. "We’ll cover it."

The man hadn’t said a word yet.

That alone made my skin prickle.

I looked up.

And everything in went absolutely still.

I’d seen pictures. Everyone had. Magazine covers. Business articles. Blurry shots taken from across streets or behind tinted windows.

None of them did him justice.

Zane Whitmore didn’t look irritated. Or amused. Or impressed like how the tabloids made him out to be.

He looked....absolutely breathtaking.

His gaze settled on my face with unnerving precision, dark eyes sharp and assessing. Not lingering inappropriately just... watching.

Sothing in my chest tightened.

"I didn’t realize this booth was occupied," I added calmly, turning fully toward him. "We’ll get out of your way."

Before he could respond, a security guard appeared at my side.

"Miss," the guard said firmly, placing a hand out to stop . "This area is restricted."

I frowned. "We’re leaving."

He didn’t move. "This is Mr. Whitmore’s section."

The na landed like a dropped glass, I knew it was him but having the confirmation was shit.

Zane Whitmore.

I kept my expression neutral by sheer force of habit, even as my heart started pounding.

Zane’s gaze flicked to the guard. "It’s fine."

The guard hesitated, then stepped back.

Zane turned his attention to Ivy, who looked like she might faint. "Are you alright?"

She nodded too quickly. "Yes. I an.....no, I an yes. I just..."

"Ivy," I said gently, placing a hand on her back. "Breathe."

She did so shakily.

"I’m really sorry," she said again, looking at Zane. "I didn’t an to spill anything on you."

He glanced down at his jacket, then back at her. "It’s replaceable."

That wasn’t what he said that mattered.

It was how he said it. Falt and controlled. Like money wasn’t sothing that ever crossed his mind as a concern.

I felt sothing settle in my stomach.

"You shouldn’t apologize so much," he added. "It was an accident."

Ivy nodded, clearly overwheld.

Zane’s gaze shifted back to .

"And you are?"

I hesitated for half a second.

Long enough to feel the weight of the lie forming before I decided against using it.

"Elaine," I said. "Her cousin."

Sothing subtle changed in his expression.

Not surprise.

Recognition.

"Hartwell," he said slowly.

My spine stiffened.

"Yes."

His eyes held mine for a mont longer than necessary. I felt pinned in place, like he could see the calculation happening behind my eyes.

"I was told Miss Hartwell here would be joining tonight," he said.

My pulse spiked. Shit fuck! Fuck! Fuck!!Please don’t tell he was supposed to be Ivy’s blind date. I silently prayed to whatever gods up there and listening.

Ivy stiffened beside . "Uhm what?."

I cut in smoothly. "Plans changed."

Zane tilted his head slightly, studying now with open interest. "They usually do."

I swallowed.

This wasn’t how I planned to et him.

But then again, nothing about tonight had gone according to plan.

"I think," I said carefully, "we will be heading out now, I apologize for ruining your suit, this was a mistake."

"Perhaps," he replied. "Or perhaps you arrived exactly where you were ant to, as my date."

That sent a chill down my spine but irritation replaced it quickly.

I directed my irritation at him. "Who the fuck takes their first date to a club." He looked surprised for a second then he smirked, not answering my question.

I glanced at Ivy. She looked small and uncertain.

And in that mont, my decision solidified completely.

I turned back to Zane. "Would you mind if I spoke with you privately?"

One of his brows lifted. "About?"

"About the misunderstanding " I said evenly. "And how to correct it."

He studied for a long mont.

Then he nodded once.

"Sit," he said, gesturing toward the booth.