Chapter 14

FOURTEEN

T he sleek black car glides to a stop in front of the West family estate. I take a deep breath, steeling myself for the evening ahead. Hawk's hand finds mine, a gentle squeeze offering silent support. His touch grounds me, a reminder that I'm not the same vulnerable girl I once was.

"Ready?" Hawk asks, his gray eyes searching mine.

I nod, allowing a small smile to curve my lips. "As I'll ever be."

We step out into the cool evening air, the grand mansion looming before us. Crystal chandeliers sparkle through towering windows, casting a warm glow on the immaculately manicured lawns. The soft strains of a string quartet drift across the grounds, mingling with the low hum of conversation and the clink of champagne flutes.

Hawk offers his arm, and I take it, my fingers curling around the crisp fabric of his tuxedo. As we ascend the marble steps, I scan the crowd for a familiar face. My heart lightens when I spot Olivia, her honey-blonde waves unmistakable even from a distance.

"I see Olivia," I murmur to Hawk. "I should go say hello."

He nods, a hint of warmth softening his usually stoic expression. "Of course. I'll find you later."

I make my way through the throng of guests, many of whom turn to whisper as I pass. The weight of their stares prickles at my skin, but I keep my chin high refusing to show any sign of discomfort.

"Devin!" Olivia's warm voice cuts through the noise, and suddenly she's there, wrapping me in a tight embrace. "I'm so glad you're here. How are you holding up?"

I return the hug, allowing myself a moment of genuine comfort in my best friend's arms. "I'm managing," I reply softly, pulling back to meet her concerned gaze. "Thanks for checking in on me the other day. Lunch was... a much-needed break."

Olivia's eyes, so similar to her brother's, search my face. "Of course. That's what best friends are for, right?" She lowers her voice, glancing around to ensure we're not overheard. "Have you told Hawk about..."

I shake my head minutely. "Not yet. It's... complicated."

She sighs, squeezing my hand. "I know. But Devin, he's worried about you. We both are."

Before I can respond, a familiar voice sends ice through my veins. "Devin, darling, it's been too long."

I turn to face Regina, forcing a polite smile. "Regina. Always a pleasure."

Her eyes flick to where Hawk stands across the room deep in conversation with a group of businessmen. "I see you've brought quite the companion tonight."

"Yes, Hawk and I have been spending quite a bit of time together," I reply evenly, watching her reaction carefully. I feel Olivia tense beside me, her hand still clasped in mine.

A flicker of annoyance passes across Regina's perfectly made-up face. "Be careful, cousin," she says, her voice honeyed with false concern. "Not everyone is as they appear. Associations can be... risky."

I meet her gaze steadily. "Is that a warning?"

"Just friendly advice," Regina responds, her tone sweet but edged with venom. "One never knows who might be... aligning with unsavory characters."

As she saunters away, her words echo in my mind. The implication is clear – she's hinting at her alliance with Viktor Kazanov. A chill runs down my spine as I realize the true severity of the threat looming over me.

Olivia squeezes my hand. "What was that about?" she whispers, concern etched on her features.

I force a smile. "Nothing to worry about. Just Regina being Regina."

But Olivia knows me too well to be fooled. "Devin," she says softly, "you know you can tell me anything, right? I'm here for you, always."

For a moment, I'm tempted to unburden myself, to share the weight of the secrets I've been carrying. But I can't risk putting Olivia in danger. So instead, I nod, giving her hand a grateful squeeze. "I know. Thank you."

We make our way toward the restroom, Olivia's presence a comforting warmth beside me. As we turn down a dimly lit corridor, we find our path blocked by Regina and her two cronies, Isabella and Vivian. Their eyes gleam with malicious intent like predators cornering their prey.

"Off to freshen up?" Isabella sneers, her lips curled in a mocking smile.

I feel Olivia stiffen beside me, but I keep my expression neutral. "Is there something you need?" My voice is cool, devoid of emotion.

Vivian smirks, her eyes raking over me dismissively. "We couldn't help but notice how out of place you seem here. Still trying to fit in with the family?"

"It's adorable, really," Regina adds, her voice dripping with condescension. "Playing dress-up doesn't change who you are, Devin."

For a moment, I feel a surge of old insecurities threatening to overwhelm me. But I push them down, drawing strength from the knowledge of who I've become. "And who am I, Regina?" I ask, my voice steady and cold as ice.

"An outsider pretending to be relevant," she spits, her mask of civility slipping.

I take a deep breath, knowing that what I'm about to do will change everything. But I'm done being their punching bag. "Interesting," I say, my voice low and dangerous. "Coming from you, Regina, I suppose you would know all about pretending."

Their smug expressions falter as I continue, my tone remaining unnervingly calm. "Like how you pretend to be the perfect daughter while secretly funneling family funds into personal accounts."

I turn to Isabella, whose eyes have gone wide. "Or how you maintain that happy marriage facade while your ‘young male model' friend keeps you company when your husband's away."

Finally, I fix my gaze on Vivian, whose smirk has completely vanished. "And Vivian, those late-night visits to the strip clubs must be exhausting. Does your father know where his precious daughter spends her time?"

The silence that follows is deafening. I can see the shock and fury warring on their faces as they process my words. Beside me, Olivia inhales sharply, her hand moving to intervene. Without looking, I raise my hand slightly, signaling her to stand down. This is my fight, and after years of friendship, she knows when to let me handle things.

"You bitch!" Isabella screeches, her composure shattering. "How dare you?—"

"I dare because you came here to intimidate me," I interrupt, my voice still eerily calm. "But I'm not the same girl you used to bully."

Regina's eyes narrow to slits. "You're making a mistake," she hisses, her voice trembling with rage.

Before I can respond, Isabella lunges forward, her hand raised to slap me. I dodge easily, causing her to stumble. Vivian grabs my arm, but I twist free, using a subtle self-defense move to throw her off balance.

"You'll regret this!" Vivian shrieks, her face contorted with fury.

Isabella, regaining her footing, snatches a glass of wine from a passing server and hurls it at me. I sidestep, and the crimson liquid splashes across Vivian's designer dress instead.

As Vivian howls in outrage, I move swiftly, knocking her clutch from her hands. The contents spill onto the marble floor, including a small vial of pills.

"What's this?" I ask innocently, eyeing the pills. "Something you wouldn't want others to find?"

Isabella charges me again, but I'm ready. I deflect her attack, sending her careening into a nearby table. The crash of shattering glass draws the attention of nearby guests.

Regina, realizing the situation has spiraled out of her control, takes a step back. "This isn't over, Devin," she snarls before turning on her heel and stalking away.

I watch her go, my exterior calm but my insides churning with a mix of satisfaction and simmering rage. As I turn, my eyes lock with Hawk's across the room. He's watching intently.

A few concerned guests approach, but I assure them everything is fine, my voice steady and controlled. As Olivia and I finally make our way to the restroom, she turns to me, her eyes wide.

"Devin, that was... I mean, I knew you could handle yourself, but that was something else," she says, a hint of awe in her voice.

I offer her a small smile. "Sometimes you have to fight fire with fire," I reply softly. "Thanks for having my back."

Olivia squeezes my arm. "Always. But, Devin... there's more going on here than you're telling me, isn't there?"

I meet her gaze in the mirror, seeing the worry etched on her face. For a moment, I consider telling her everything – about Viktor, about the dangers lurking in the shadows. But I can't bring myself to shatter the relative safety of her world.

"It's complicated, Liv," I say finally. "But I promise, I'm handling it."

She nods, though I can see she's not entirely convinced. "Just... be careful, okay? And remember, you're not alone in this. You've got me, and you've got Hawk."

At the mention of Hawk's name, I feel a flutter in my chest. "Speaking of your brother," I say, attempting to lighten the mood, "how much have you been telling him about me?"

Olivia grins, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Only the good stuff, I promise. Well, mostly."

We share a laugh, the tension of the earlier confrontation easing slightly. As we exit the restroom, I steel myself for whatever the rest of the evening might bring. With Olivia by my side and Hawk watching over me, I feel a flicker of hope. Maybe, just maybe, I'm not as alone in this as I thought.

When we return to the main hall, my eyes immediately lock onto Hawk. He's standing rigidly, his expression a mask of cold indifference as Regina places a hand on his arm. The sight sends a fresh wave of anger coursing through me.

Jealousy, hot and fierce, claws at my insides. How dare she touch him? My fingers itch to rip her hand away, to stake my claim. But I force myself to remain outwardly composed even as my mind races with violent possibilities.

I approach them, my strides purposeful. As I draw near, I hear Hawk's icy command: "Do not touch me."

Regina's saccharine voice grates on my nerves. "Oh, come now, Hawk. There's no need to be so distant. We could accomplish so much together."

I position myself beside Hawk, not saying a word but making my presence known. Regina's eyes flick to me, filled with disdain. "Enjoying the party?" she asks, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

I respond by taking a slow sip of my newly acquired wine, holding her gaze steadily over the rim of the glass. The tension between us is palpable. Inside, I'm seething, imagining all the ways I could make Regina regret ever laying eyes on Hawk. But outwardly, I remain a picture of icy composure.

Hawk turns to me, his brow furrowed slightly. "Is everything all right?" he asks, clearly sensing the undercurrents.

Before I can respond, Hawk cuts Regina off. "Regina, I believe this conversation is over," he states firmly. "I'm not interested in any partnership with you."

Regina's smile tightens, a crack in her polished veneer. "Very well. But don't say I didn't offer." She casts a final, venomous glance at me before disappearing into the crowd.

An awkward silence descends. Hawk studies me, concern evident in his eyes. "You seem unsettled," he observes.

I drain my wine in one gulp, the alcohol doing little to calm my frayed nerves. "Just family drama," I reply tersely, my voice betraying none of the turmoil raging within me.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Hawk asks, his voice uncharacteristically gentle.

"No," I say, suddenly feeling suffocated by the opulent surroundings and prying eyes. "I need some air."

Without waiting for a response, I make my way toward the garden, desperate for a moment of solitude. The cool night air hits me as I step outside, the scent of roses providing a brief respite from the evening's tensions. I take a deep breath, trying to center myself.

As I stare out into the darkness, the distant laughter and music from the party a stark contrast to the turmoil within me, I allow myself a moment of vulnerability. The fear, the anger, the loneliness – it all threatens to overwhelm me. But then I straighten my spine, steeling myself once more.

Suddenly, I feel a presence behind me. Before I can turn, strong hands grasp my waist, spinning me around. My back slams against a cold marble column, knocking the breath from my lungs. Hawk's steel-gray eyes bore into mine, blazing with an intensity that makes my heart race.

"Hawk, what—" I begin, but he cuts me off, his mouth crashing down on mine in a fierce, possessive kiss.

For a split second, I'm frozen in shock. Then, like a dam bursting, all the pent-up frustration and desire I've been holding back explodes. I kiss him back with equal fervor, my fingers tangling in his hair, pulling him closer. Our teeth clash, the kiss more a battle than an embrace.

I bite his lower lip hard enough to draw blood. He growls low in his throat, the sound sending shivers down my spine. His hands roam my body, greedy and demanding as if he's trying to claim every inch of me.

"You're mine, Devin," he rasps against my lips.

The possessiveness in his voice ignites something primal within me. I push back against him, spinning us so that he's the one pressed against the column. My nails rake down his chest, leaving marks even through the fabric of his shirt.

"And you're mine," I snarl, nipping at his jaw. "Don't you ever forget that."

His hand fists in my hair, yanking my head back to expose my throat. He trails hot, open-mouthed kisses down my neck, teeth grazing my pulse point. I can't suppress the moan that escapes me, my body arching into his.

The rush of adrenaline, the thrill of danger – anyone could walk out and see us at any moment – only heightens the intensity of our encounter. It's reckless, it's risky, but in this moment, I don't care. All that matters is Hawk's hands on my body, his lips on my skin driving away every thought of Regina or Viktor and the looming threats that have been haunting me.

Hawk's hand slides up my thigh, pushing the fabric of my dress higher. I gasp as his fingers brush against the sensitive skin of my inner thigh. "Here?" I pant, equal parts scandalized and thrilled.

He pulls back slightly, his eyes dark with desire. "Tell me to stop," he challenges, his voice rough.

I meet his gaze defiantly. "Don't you dare."

A wicked smile curves his lips before he claims my mouth again. His touch is fire, burning away everything but this moment, this raw, primal connection between us.

In the back of my mind, I know this is dangerous – not just the risk of discovery, but the way I'm losing myself in him. Hawk Rivers is becoming my addiction, my obsession. But as his hands and lips work their magic, I can't bring myself to care. For now, I let myself get lost in the sensations and in the dark, twisted passion we share.

Eventually, we pull apart, both of us breathing heavily. Hawk rests his forehead against mine, his thumb tracing my swollen lips. "You drive me crazy," he murmurs.

I smirk, nipping at his finger. "Likewise."

For a moment, we stand there in silence, the air around us charged with unspoken emotions and lingering desire. Then, reality begins to seep back in. I can hear the muffled sounds of the party, a reminder of where we are and the roles we're supposed to be playing.

Hawk seems to sense the shift in my mood. He cups my face in his hands, his touch surprisingly gentle after the intensity of our encounter. "Whatever's going on, Devin, whatever you're hiding – you don't have to face it alone. I'm here. Let me in."

For a heartbeat, I'm tempted. The weight of my secrets feels crushing, and the idea of sharing that burden is tantalizing. But I can't. Not yet.

I place my hand over his, allowing myself a moment of vulnerability. "I know," I say softly. "Just... give me time."

He studies me for a long moment before nodding. "All right. But remember, I'm not a patient man, Devin. And I don't like being kept in the dark."

There's a warning in his tone that sends a shiver down my spine – equal parts fear and excitement. I know I'm playing a dangerous game, keeping secrets from a man like Hawk Rivers. But it's a game I have to play, at least for now.

I straighten my dress and run a hand through my hair, trying to erase the evidence of our passionate encounter. Hawk does the same, adjusting his tie and smoothing down his jacket.

As we prepare to rejoin the party, I catch my reflection in a nearby window. My lips are swollen, my eyes bright with lingering desire.