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.

said politely, shaking hands with Claire and

at him. “She’s our favorite person, you

replied with a smile that

way through the crowded bar toward the exit. Alexander’s hand

the bar. I took a deep breath,

as we walked

take yours,” I replied. “I

Martin parked near the entrance. The car beeped as he unlocked it, holding the passenger door

evening’s strange sequence of events. Alexander started the car, the engine purring to

going to tell me how you

lips quirked into a small smile as he kept his eyes on the road. “I have my ways.”

“That’s not an answer.”

glanced over at me. “You

be

on the steering wheel, his eyes still fixed on the

up straight,

team. Just for

I don’t know about?” I

corrected, his tone frustratingly calm. “They’re professionals. You

hand through my hair, exasperation building. “The point is, you have people tracking my

I have a lot of enemies. People who’d love to get to me by hurting

put a tail on me? Without even mentioning

agreed if I had?” He glanced at me, eyebrow

well I probably

right.” To my surprise, he actually looked contrite. “I should have mentioned it. But

my arms, hating that he had a point. “How did they even know I was in trouble? Do they report my every move

keep an eye on

happened to be in the neighborhood?” I

at the office. Dropped everything and came as

invasion of privacy and

every time I go somewhere, someone’s watching

and took my hand. “It’s standard for anyone

part of your family

That makes you a target

a few minutes, the city lights blurring past the windows. I was still processing the revelation that my movements

I

“Since the wedding.”

“So my coffee runs, shopping trips, visits to my

your every move,” Alexander

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