Confrontation

“So, where is your highly irresponsible boyfriend?” Killian's gaze was intense enough to drill inside my head.

I sucked in a sharp breath. “He couldn't make it.”

“Such a shame.” Amusement danced on his lips as he stepped closer. “But are we truly talking about your boyfriend? Or a meaningless date?”

What kind of a game was that? And what was he trying to achieve? I ground my teeth. “Does it matter?”

He breathed out a chuckle. “I suppose it doesn't as long as he's not here.” I forced myself still as he studied me. “May I know your name?”

Air escaped my lungs, but my mind warned me I shouldn't feel relieved. This might have been a trick. Still, just in case, it was safer to lie.

“My name is—”

“Josephine!”

I cursed under my breath hearing Ashley's voice behind me.

“There you are!”

Shit. She must have noticed me but didn't realize who I was talking to. If I let her come here, things could only turn from bad to worse!

“My friend is looking for me.” I gave Killian a nervous smile. “I need to go.”

I didn't wait for his response. I spun around and darted toward Ashley, grabbing her hand and dragging her as far away as possible.

She stared at me wide-eyed. “Was that… Killian Blair?”

 “Yes, it's him, and he was acting strange,” I mumbled as panic crawled out to the surface. “I need to get out of here.”

Ashley grabbed my wrist and frowned. “Don't even think about running away. You're not in high school and he already fired you. What can he possibly do to you now? Throw you overboard?”

My guts twisted. “I don't know. Can he?”

She cursed and locked her eyes on me. “You're not running away. I've just turned you into a goddess. You're wearing a sexy dress and makeup. I'm sure he won't even recognize you as his former employee.”

She had a point, and he most likely hadn't known who I was. After Ashley's transformation, I barely recognized myself in the mirror. But could I truly take such a risk?

My feet shuffled to the exit, but Ashley pulled my hand, dragging me back in front of her. “Josie… Don't waste your chance to have fun because of a guy who's soon about to forget he's even talked to you. There are three hundred guests on this yacht for God's sake!”

“Three hundred guests,” I murmured under my breath. To be honest, with all those beautiful and wealthy women prowling around Killian, it would have been a miracle if his eyes landed on me again.

I managed to loosen a breath. “Fine… I'll stay,” I muttered, taking a flute of champagne from the waiter's tray.

“Excellent decision,” Ashley approved, reaching for champagne herself and clinking her glass with mine. “We'll have a great time here, Josie.”

“Yeah, great time…” I willed myself to smile and focus on the glass, hoping that the bubbles would become a remedy for my stress. A moment later, the yacht pulled away from the dock. Now I could only hope that I made a good decision and this evening wouldn't turn into a nightmare…

*** 

By the time the ceremony began, all the champagne bubbles merrily hummed in my veins allowing me to drift into I-don't-give-a-shit state. Ashley, Matteo, and I found seats in the last row, choosing to the as far as possible from the dais and the white-feather-ornamented bower. The sound of violins announced the approaching bride and my eyes drifted to the aisle. Brianna Ricardson looked stunning in the dress that most likely cost more than my year's salary. Her brown hair had been carefully styled in waves and curls and slightly pinned most likely to secure the tiara on top of her head.

“It must be nice to have a rich daddy,” Ashley muttered, scanning Brianna from head to toe. “Too bad money cannot buy you fashion sense. I bet that Brianna thought she'd look like an angel, but all those feathers sticking out of her gown only make her resemble a pigeon that suffered from electroshock.”

I clamped my hand over my mouth to stifle a snort. “You're terrible,” I murmured.

“I'm honest,” she corrected, grinning.

I shook my head and sighed, hoping she would keep her honesty to herself when we came to congratulate the couple.

The ceremony finally ended, and all the bubbles had already evaporated from my system. I could hear Dylan's deep laughter and Brianna's nasal giggles as they received congratulations from their wealthy guests. An odd wave of bitterness flooded me. I no longer had feelings for Dylan, but I could still remember when I had thought about our future together, I remembered being happy with him, and a part of me still mourned that happiness.

Releasing a quiet sigh, I sauntered into the line of guests. Ashley and Matteo followed suit, standing behind me. My eyes flew to Dylan dressed in a navy blue tuxedo. He stood a few feet away from me, his back straightened and chin raised. Hands fisted, I summoned my confidence and walked forward, quickly meeting my ex-boyfriend's intense stare. My gaze swept over him and quickly traveled to Brianna.

“Congratulations,” I said, beaming at her. “The ceremony was beautiful and your dress is… exceptional.”

Confusion blossomed on her face, but she quickly covered it with a trained smile. “That's kind of you… Julia.”

I swallowed my irritation and corrected, “Josephine.”

She forced a chuckle. “Of course.”

I shifted my gaze to Dylan and saw his throat work on a hard swallow. His eyes devoured every curve of my body tightly embraced by the red dress, just like I hoped he would—just like Ashley KNEW he would. I lifted my chin an inch and calmly met his heated gaze, letting him know that all my feelings for him were long gone.

Satisfaction curved my lips into a smug smile. “Congratulations, Dylan. I guess you two were made for each other.”

His mouth opened, but no words came out. The sweet scent of victory filled my nostrils, and my smile widened. I gave the pair an elegant bow and turned around.

“Slut.”

Dylan's hiss froze the blood in my veins. I wished I was the only one who heard it, but the wave of gasps told me otherwise. My jaw clenched as I faced him. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me.” His lips twisted in disdain as he looked me up and down. “Is that why you came to our wedding? To seduce some wealthy guy who could help you pay your debts?”

His words burned more fiercely than a slap. My chest tightened, crushing my lungs. I saw the rage in Ashley's eyes, but I knew that whatever she was about to say would only make things worse. I looked at her and shook my head in a silent plea. Unfortunately, Dylan's venom was only beginning to spill.

“I'm glad I dumped you. You tried to act all innocent, but you're finally showing your true colors!” He burst into malicious laughter.

More rage coiled inside me. “I came to congratulate you and bury the hatchet,” I hissed, glancing at Brianna who stiffened beside her newlywed husband. Summoning my composure, I drew a breath and locked my eyes on Dylan. “You're making your wife and guests uncomfortable. Stop it. You're ruining your wedding day.”

“I'm the one ruining it?” A dark grin parted his lips as he stepped closer, lowering his gaze to my cleavage. “I merely stated the fact. My invitation to you was an act of goodwill. What I didn't expect was for you to show up here looking like a cheap whore.”

Cold laughter broke through Dylan's throat, and I flinched. Pain and shame raged inside me, slowly satiating every inch. I should have said something—anything. I promised myself that I would not be a victim, yet the contempt in Dylan's eyes was enough for me to crumble. I ground my teeth, cursing my helplessness. I hated being weak. I wanted to fight back, but somehow, that courageous part of me decided to malfunction… 

Dylan advanced at me, forcing me to stumble back. “You even lied to me by saying you have a boyfriend.” He clicked his tongue before leaning closer. “Where is he?”

My hands fisted into balls, my knuckles whitening, “He is—"

“There is no boyfriend, is there?” He huffed out a laugh. “You're not only a slut but a liar. You should have just…” He trailed off, his eyes widening.

A man's hand landed on my shoulder. “There you are. I've been looking for you,” a deep, velvet-like voice said.

My breath hitched as I slowly turned around, meeting a pair of emerald-green eyes—Killian Blair's eyes. My heart tripped. Why was he here? Was he trying to… help me… or drown me?

“M-Mr. Blair?” Dylan croaked.

A feral kind of amusement danced on Killian's lips as he wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me to his side. “I believe you've been disrespectful toward my date,” he said coldly, shifting his eyes to Dylan.

My ex-boyfriend turned pale. “Y-your… date?”

I might have been even more shocked than Dylan was, but I decided to follow my instincts and keep my mouth shut.

“Mr. Blair!” Brianna interjected, shooting Dylan a deadly glare before turning to my ex-boss. “My husband… clearly drank too much wine. B-but he was just joking… Please forgive him.”

Killian raised his brows. “Forgive him? It's not me he should apologize.” He dipped his head, leveling his eyes with mine. “Do you want him to apologize?” His tone turned alluringly deep again.

I swallowed. “Um… yes,” I muttered.

A smirk tugged at Killian's lips. “Yes, what?”

I inhaled sharply. “I want him to apologize.”

“Good girl,” he purred before fixing his gaze on Dylan. “Well? Shouldn't you say something?”

I could almost feel the heat of blood boiling in Dylan's veins. His awkward silence lasted a moment, but he finally cleared his throat, and grunted, “I apologize.”

Killian let out a dark chuckle. “Try one more time, but this time, make it sound like you mean it.”

Dylan's hands fisted, his body rattling with rage. “I apologize,” he said louder.

Killian didn't seem impressed. “You apologize… for?”

“I apologize for my insults. I've been disrespectful,” he gritted out, but Killian wasn't done with him.

“Why don't you tell us all what you truly think about my date?” His hand on my waist tightened, and a wave of heat washed over me.

Dylan sucked in a sharp breath and locked his eyes on me. “I think you look beautiful. This… dress suits you.”

“That's better.” Killian nodded in approval, and a soft wave of sounds came, as if half of the guests released the breath they were holding. Suddenly, Killian's hand on my waist shifted, steering me to the side of the deck and away from the crowd. I didn't protest. I just wanted this scene to end.

He maneuvered us around the corner, entering a small, empty corridor. Then he removed his hand from my waist. I sucked in a breath, mustering my courage to thank him, but I wasn't fast enough.

“You're welcome,” he murmured, leaning over my ear, his lips brushing against my earlobe, “Josephine.”

I gasped at the sound of my name. A wicked grin parted his lips as his eyes found mine. “See you later, Josephine.” He stepped back and chuckled. 

A shudder rushed down my spine as I watched him turn around and walk away. Was that a casual response… or a threat?