Chapter 10

Lily touched Gerald’s arm lightly. “I need to use the restroom.”

He looked down at her, eyes still dark from the earlier tension with Elliot. “Do not take long.”

She gave a short nod and walked away from the main hall. The restroom was down a quiet corridor lined with soft lights and dark wood. 

She pushed the door open and stepped inside. The space was private and elegant, with marble counters and large mirrors. She had only been there a few seconds when the door opened again.

Cleo walked in. Her black dress clung to her body and her face was tight with anger.

“You just could not stay in your place, could you?” Cleo said. Her voice was low and sharp.

Lily turned slowly and faced her. “What do you want now?”

Cleo stepped closer. “I want you to understand something. You are a paid hole. Nothing more. Gerald will use you and throw you away like the others. Do not walk around here like you belong.”

Lily’s eyes narrowed. “You sound scared. Is that what this is? You are scared he is keeping me longer than he kept you?”

Cleo’s hand twitched like she wanted to slap her again. “Watch your mouth.”

“Or what?” Lily took a step forward instead of back. “You already slapped me once. I slapped you back. Try it again and see what happens.”

The two women stared at each other in the quiet restroom. Cleo’s breathing was hard. Lily did not look away. After a long moment Cleo let out a bitter laugh.

“Enjoy it while it lasts,” she said. “Girls like you never last.”

She turned and left, the door swinging shut behind her.

Lily stayed still for a few seconds, forcing her hands to stop shaking. Then she washed them, fixed her dress, and walked back out into the corridor.

She did not get far.

Elliot Rivera stepped out from a side hallway and blocked her path. His smile was easy, but his eyes were hungry.

“There you are,” he said. “I was hoping to catch you alone.”

Lily’s body went tight. “Move.”

He did not. Instead he reached out and ran his fingers down her bare arm, then lower, brushing the side of her breast through the thin red fabric.

“You looked too good in that dress tonight,” he murmured. “Gerald does not deserve to keep something like you to himself.”

Lily shoved his hand away hard. “Do not touch me.”

Elliot’s smile widened. “Feisty. I like that. Most girls in this world learn to smile and take it.”

“I am not most girls.” She tried to step past him.

He moved faster. One hand grabbed her waist and pulled her against the wall. His body pressed close. His other hand slid down toward the hem of her short dress.

“Let go of me,” Lily said, voice sharp.

“Or what?” he asked, leaning in. His breath was warm on her face. “You think Gerald cares that much? He bought you. I can buy you too.”

When his hand tried to push under her dress, Lily reacted without thinking. She brought her hand up and slapped him across the face as hard as she could. The sound cracked through the quiet corridor.

Elliot’s head turned from the force. For a second he looked stunned. Then anger flooded his face.

“You little bitch—”

Heavy footsteps sounded at the end of the hall. Gerald was already walking toward them, his expression dark and dangerous. He had clearly seen the slap.

Elliot straightened and wiped the corner of his mouth. He looked at Gerald and then back at Lily.

“I will deal with her,” Elliot said, voice cold. “She needs to learn her place.”

Gerald stopped a few feet away. His eyes moved from Elliot’s face to Lily’s wrist, where a red mark was already forming from how hard Elliot had held her.

“You will deal with her?” Gerald asked, voice low and deadly calm. “I would like to see you try.”

The two men stared at each other. The air between them felt heavy enough to break. A few guests had already stepped into the corridor, drawn by the sound of the slap. More people were watching from the entrance to the main hall.

Gerald reached out and took Lily’s arm, pulling her firmly to his side. He did not look at her yet. His eyes stayed locked on Elliot.

“Touch her again,” Gerald said, “and I will forget we are at a party.”

Elliot’s jaw tightened, but he did not move closer. The crowd was growing. Too many eyes. Too many phones that could record.

Gerald turned without another word and guided Lily down the corridor, past the watching guests, and straight toward the exit. His hand stayed tight around her arm. He did not slow down. He did not speak.

Lily walked beside him, heart still racing from the confrontation. She could feel the stares on her back. She could still feel Elliot’s hand on her skin. And she could feel the cold, controlled rage coming off Gerald in waves.

They stepped out into the night air. The limousine was already waiting. Gerald opened the door, waited for her to get in, then followed. The moment the door shut, the privacy barrier went up.

He finally looked at her.

“Did he hurt you?”

Lily shook her head once. “I handled it.”

Gerald’s eyes dropped to the red mark on her wrist. His jaw flexed.

“No one puts their hands on what is mine,” he said quietly. “No one.”

The car pulled away from the estate. Behind them the party lights faded, but the tension inside the limousine only grew thicker.