The room fills faster than I expect.
Lucas stays close, but he’s not the only one tonight.
Noah is already near the bar, nursing a drink and glaring at anyone who looks at for longer than two seconds. Caleb drifts in and out, greeting people, smiling like he isn’t calculating exits and threats at the sa ti.
My personal security detail. Unofficial, unpaid and very obvious.
Zane moves through the room like he owns it, which I guess he probably does. Just... existing in a way that demands attention. Every handshake is firm. Every smile is asured. He plays the role perfectly the devoted fiancée.
God, I hate him.
I hate how easy this is for him. How natural he looks standing here like he didn’t blow my life apart a week agoz
He catches my eye from across the roo
I look away.
Petty?Yes.
Satisfying?Also yes.
I excuse myself a few minutes later. Smile, nod, slip out of a conversation I don’t rember what they were sayinh. My head feels fine for once, but my mouth is dry.
Apple drink. That’s all I want right now.
I spot a server passing and step into their path.
"Hi," I say. "Do you have apple juice or cider?"
The girl blinks at , just looking weirdly at .
Her smile falters just a little. "Um... no, ma’am."
"Oh," I say. "Okay. Could you check?"
She hesitates, then shakes her head. "We... don’t have any apple products at all."
That’s strange.
"None?" I repeat.
She glances over my shoulder. Lowers her voice. "The fiancé is deathly allergic. His mother made sure it was removed from the nu."
I stare at her for a second.
Then I nod. "Got it. Thanks."
I turn away before my face can give away.
Allergic.
Of course he is.
Of course Zane Whitmore is allergic to apples, he doesn’t like anything good. The fucker
I walk a few steps before it hits properly and I have to stop myself from smiling.
God, I hate him.
I hate his control. The way my wants don’t even make it onto the list because his body can’t handle a fruit.
I grab a glass of water instead and sip slowly, my thoughts already spiraling.
Allergic, huh.
That’s useful info
Lucas finds a mont later. "You disappeared."
"I went to get a drink."
He looks at the glass, lifting a brow whene he sees water in it, instead of anything apple related because he knows they are my favorite kind of fruit and drink. "That’s depressing."
"Apparently apples are banned," I say casually.
His brow furrows. "Why?"
"Because my fiancé might die."
Lucas’s mouth twitches. "That tracks."
Noah joins us, leaning in. "What tracks?"
"Zane’s allergic to apples," I say.
Noah pauses. Then grins. "Seriously?"
"Deadly," I add.
Caleb snorts. "Wow. The universe really does have a sense of humor."
I sip my water and watch Zane across the room as he laughs at sothing soone says. His head tilts back slightly.
Not for the first ti tonight, I imagine wiping that look off his face.
Nothing illegal. I shake the thought away before it turns into sothing dangerous.
Zane starts making his way toward .
I feel it before I see it. The shift. People stepping aside. Attention following him like a shadow.
I straighten instinctively. Lift my chin and square my shoulders.
All my brothers notice they don’t show it , but they tense.
Zane stops in front of , eyes flicking briefly to my brothers before settling on .
"You vanished," he says not bothering to exchange pleasantries with my brothers.
"I got thirsty."
He glances at my glass. "That’s water."
"Yes," I say. "Very observant of you."
His mouth tightens. "You didn’t eat."
"I wasn’t hungry."
A lie. But not one I owe him the truth about.
His gaze sharpens slightly. "You should be careful tonight."
"Is that concern," I ask sweetly, "or a warning?"
He leans in just enough that only I can hear him. "Both, I don’t want you getting all faint headed with ."
I smile at him. Bright, polite and fake as hell.
"Relax," I say. "I wouldn’t want to accidentally poison you."
Sothing flickers in his eyes.
Confusion and suspicion.
I hold his gaze, thinking of apples.
And for the first ti since agreeing to this engagent, the hatred feels like leverage.
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