6. Trouble Wrapped as Temptation

AYRA

I watched as Olivia realized probably for the very first time in her life that she had no power to bend someone else to her will.

And she wasn't taking it well. Her bottom lip trembled in anger, her fists clenched so tight they turned white. Her carefully composed exterior was cracking, and I was here for it.

Then Lucy broke into laughter, making the already tense atmosphere even more unbearable. “Well, who would’ve thought he had the balls? But honestly, you both deserved this. I should’ve live-streamed the whole mess. I can see the hashtags now: #TroubleInTheYaldonEmpire, #RichPeopleDrama—”

“This doesn't leave this room.” Olivia snapped, cutting her off mid-cackle. “And Lucy, just because I've let you off with this foolishness doesn’t mean you get to spew nonsense. Have I made myself clear?”

Lucy’s face flushed with embarrassment as she grabbed her bags, slipped on her sunglasses, and muttered, “Clear,” before storming out.

I took that as my cue to get the hell out, too. At least Liam’s shocking entrance had spared me from a verbal sparring match with Olivia. Small mercies. I still needed to find him, to end... whatever this was. I’d just escaped one family member. No way was I getting tangled with another, even if he was devilishly handsome and maddeningly charming in a way that should be illegal.

I was halfway to the door when two voices called out at once:

“Ayra, wait—”

“Who said you could leave?—”

Ah, of course. Silly me for thinking I could exit quietly, without a sprinkle of drama.

“Aren’t we done here?” I said, turning back slowly, arching a brow. “And besides, I don’t exactly want front-row seats to your family spat.”

(That’s definitely a lie. Sign me up for more especially if it stars Liam making them miserable.)

“I’m insanely busy, so if you’ve got something to say, Olivia, make it quick.”

I paused, locking eyes with Chris. “And I have absolutely nothing to say to you, Chris. If you’re wondering whether I’d like a wedding invitation, then by all means send one in. I’d be delighted to attend. It’d be fun to watch you repeat your lies wrapped up as vows to my Victoria.”

Chris said nothing. But I could practically see the rusty wheels turning in that scarcely-used brain of his, like maybe he was trying to do the math on how fast this was spiraling.

Olivia stepped forward until we were eye to eye. She was five foot four, I was five foot six—so technically, she was looking up at me. But you’d never guess it from the arrogant waves radiating off her like heat.

“You think you’re important enough to go off and schedule a press conference without telling me? And rubbishing us out in the open like that?” she sneered. “Who do you think you are, Ayra? Sure, our families have always married into each other for generations, but your family doesn’t have the same power anymore for you to act this entitled. I made you, Ayra—”

I laughed out loud, borderline hysterical for a second, and then I tried to hold it in as I nodded and turned to her.

“I’m so sorry,” I said, wiping a tear from my eye. “That was the biggest joke I’ve heard in a long while. You made me? Oh please, Olivia. Get off your high horse and stop assigning yourself more importance than you actually have.

What you did was make me drop a career I worked my ass off to build. And if you think all this family name big talk is supposed to scare me, then you should join my father in his delusions.”

“Ayra, are you willing to listen,” Ryan’s voice cut in from across the room, “or should I pull out the investment I promised Adrian Smith?”

“Please do,” I said without hesitation. “Pull it out. No one would be happier than me.”

The shock on his face was priceless. Slow, dawning horror like someone had unplugged him from reality.

“Ayra, stop this,” he said, almost pleading now. “It’s not too late. We can still find a way to—”

“If that’s all you’ve got, then I’ll be leaving—” I started, already turning, but Olivia’s hand shot out. She yanked me back so hard I almost lost my balance.

“You may not care for your father,” she hissed, “but I’ll make sure your pathetic little career never sees the light of day. I’ll frustrate you until you come crawling back like the worthless roach you are.”

I wrenched my hand free and stepped in close, so close I could see the rage in her eyes. Then I leaned in, lips barely an inch from her ear, and whispered low...just loud enough for her to hear.

“Do that... and I’ll tell the world how Olivia has a taste for fucking her bodyguard. I could even hold another press conference. Ask the public to help you stop him from lying and swindling a poor, sheltered, gullible woman.”

I stepped back and watched as the color drained from her face.

Let her sit with that.

******

I had just walked out of the Yaldons’ residence when I saw Liam way out front, with Raven leaning on my car like he owned it.

He was typing, hadn’t spotted me yet but Raven had. Her face lit up like she couldn’t wait to watch this drama unfold.

I took a deep breath and prayed to the heavens for strength. Strength to resist the temptation I knew was coming my way.

“Ayra, wait—”

Fuck me.

“Chris, what the fuck is your problem? Why are you acting like a clingy newborn, for Christ’s sake? If you’d shown even an ounce of this energy when we were married, we wouldn’t be here right now.”

I stepped toward him, fury tightening every word.

“So what do you want from me, huh? You’re the one who said we’d gone stale. Stale, Chris. I did you a favor by freeing you from that marriage—and now you suddenly can’t let me go? Make it make sense.”

Something flickered in his eyes, but it vanished before I could catch it.

Then he said it.

“You don’t understand… I had a plan. All you had to do was trust me. You’re my endgame, Ayra. Regardless of this minor issue.”

I gasped. Incredulous.

“Minor issue?” I repeated. “Chris, you were fucking my stepsister. You two were planning to get married. How in the actual hell is that minor?”

I didn’t give him time to reply.

“Okay, let's say Victoria wasn’t in the picture. This wouldn’t even be your first affair. I let that slide, Chris. You were stressed, family pressure—I gave you grace. But this? This is the end.”

“Ayra, we’ve moved past that—”

“We are done, Chris. Get that through your thick skull. I’m out. And don’t you dare call me back.”

I turned and walked off, not giving him another glance.

I heard him storm back inside, rage bubbling but this was just the beginning. He was going to have to get used to not getting his way with me anymore.

Then I looked up and there he was.

Liam. Watching me with way too much interest. I’d forgotten he was still around. Embarrassment washed over me, painting my cheeks a mild, traitorous shade of red.

Shit.

I stormed toward Raven, fully ignoring Liam, who stood there with his hands tucked safely into his pockets like he hadn’t just witnessed my outburst.

“What’s my next stop?”

Raven was practically screaming at me with her eyes, nodding toward Liam like I hadn’t noticed but I ignored her.

Then she cleared her throat. “We’ve got a brief meeting with Director Phillips. He’s on set right now for ‘War of Hearts’.”

I nodded, already angling myself around the car to the other side, when I felt it.

Liam’s hands wrapped around my waist, pulling me flush against him as he leaned down and whispered—

“Didn’t know I was invisible, Cupcake.”