Chapter 174
After my second glass of wine, I found myself stifling a yawn. The adrenaline from the confrontation with Ryan had worn off, leaving exhaustion in its wake.
“Getting sleepy there, Liv?” Emilia asked, noticing my struggle to stay engaged.
“Just been a long day,” I admitted, checking the time on my phone. Nearly midnight. “I should probably head home soon.”
“But we’ve barely started girls‘ night!” Ariana protested, already signaling the waitress for another round.
“I hate to say it, but I think tonight’s girls‘ night is kind of shot,” I said with an apologetic smile. “Between Ryan’s drama and these two crashing the party…” I tilted my head toward Alexander, who looked completely unrepentant.
Claire pouted dramatically. “Fine, abandon us for your gorgeous husband. We understand.”
“We’ll plan another night soon,” I promised, gathering my purse. “One without ex–boyfriend ambushes and surprise husband appearances.”
“Good luck with that,” Emilia snorted. “Your life seems to be nothing but surprises lately.”
If she only knew the half of it.
“Come on,” I said, standing up and smoothing my dress. “I’ll text you tomorrow and we’ll set something up.”
The girls exchanged knowing glances before nodding in unison. “Alright,” Emilia conceded. “Go home with your hot husband. We’ll survive somehow.”
“Thanks for understanding,” I said, giving each of them a quick hug.
all,” Alexander said politely, shaking hands with Claire and
Emilia warned, pointing a finger at him. “She’s our favorite
with a smile that seemed surprisingly
hand rested on the small of my back, guiding me
night air felt refreshing after the warmth of the bar. I took a deep breath, letting it clear my
asked as we walked across the parking
yours,” I replied. “I
near the entrance. The car beeped as he unlocked it, holding the passenger door open
settled into the leather seats, I couldn’t help but wonder about the evening’s strange sequence of events. Alexander started the car, the engine purring to life with
the parking lot, “are you going to tell me how you knew to show
small smile as he kept his eyes
“That’s not an answer.”
at me. “You want the
be
eyes still fixed on the road. “I have a security team that follows
what?” I sat up straight, my voice
small team.
I’ve been followed? By strange men I don’t know about?” I
frustratingly calm. “They’re professionals. You
not the point!” I ran a hand through my hair, exasperation building. “The point is, you have people tracking my movements without my knowledge or consent. What else are you keeping
lot of enemies. People who’d love to get to me
put a tail on me? Without even
agreed if I had?” He glanced at me, eyebrow
I probably wouldn’t have. “The
looked contrite. “I should have mentioned it. But after what happened with
did they even know I was in
you into places like O’Malley’s, but they keep an eye on the outside. When they saw Ryan grab you, they alerted
to be in
at the office. Dropped everything and came
privacy and a reluctant gratitude that
somewhere, someone’s watching me?” The thought made me
private places. They’re discreet.” Alexander reached over and took my hand. “It’s standard for anyone in
of your
a target whether you like it or
lights blurring past the windows. I
long?” I
“Since the wedding.”
head. “So my coffee runs, shopping trips,
don’t report your every move,” Alexander clarified. “They just make sure you’re
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