Danger! Danger!
672 Words
The air shifted.
Khan could feel it—the tension, thick and unrelenting, rolling off Liam like a storm barely held at bay.
Luca Moretti, whoever he was, had struck a nerve.
And that alone made Khan wary.
Luca, on the other hand, seemed entirely at ease. Too at ease.
He smiled, slow and calculated, taking a leisurely sip from the glass in his hand before speaking.
"Come now, Liam," he drawled. "Is that any way to greet an old friend?"
Liam’s expression didn’t falter.
"We were never friends, Luca."
Luca sighed, shaking his head. "Shame. I always thought we made a great team."
Khan’s brows furrowed. Team?
Before she could ask, Liam grabbed her wrist firmly—but not painfully—and pulled her behind him, putting himself between her and Luca.
The movement was subtle. Protective.
Luca’s gaze flickered to where Liam’s hand gripped Khan’s wrist, and for the briefest moment—a flicker of something dark flashed in his eyes.
Interest?
Amusement?
Danger?
Luca tilted his head slightly. "You’ve changed, Liam. The Liam I knew wouldn’t have gone and gotten himself married."
Liam’s grip on Khan’s wrist tightened.
"And the Luca I knew wouldn’t show up to a wedding uninvited."
Luca smirked. "True. But then again, this isn’t just any wedding, is it?" His gaze slid back to Khan, eyes sharp, assessing. "I have to say, Mrs. Carter, you’re quite the enigma."
Khan met his gaze without flinching. "Funny. I was about to say the same about you."
Luca chuckled, clearly entertained. "Oh, I like her," he mused. "No wonder Harold is so interested."
Khan stiffened.
Liam froze.
Her stomach twisted. Harold.
So that’s what this was.
Luca wasn’t just some old acquaintance from Liam’s past. He was here because of Harold.
The realization sent a chill down her spine.
Liam stepped forward, his voice low and lethal. "You tell Harold that whatever he’s planning—it won’t work."
Luca smiled, completely unfazed. "You give him too much credit. I’m here on my own terms."
Liam didn’t look convinced. "Stay away from my wife."
Luca’s smirk didn’t falter. If anything, it deepened.
"Of course," he said easily. "For now."
Then, with a casual shrug, he downed the rest of his drink, gave Khan one last lingering glance, and strolled away, disappearing into the sea of high-profile guests.
The moment he was gone, Liam exhaled sharply, pinching the bridge of his nose.
Khan finally turned to him. "Okay. What the hell was that?"
Liam didn’t answer right away. His jaw was tight, tension evident in every line of his body.
"Liam." She touched his arm lightly. "Talk to me."
His muscles tensed beneath her fingers. Then, finally, he looked at her.
"Stay away from Luca," he said, voice quiet but firm.
Khan frowned. "Why? Who is he to you?"
Liam hesitated, something dark flickering in his eyes.
"Someone I should have left in the past."
That wasn’t an answer. Not really.
But before she could press further, a new voice interrupted.
"Everything okay here?"
They both turned to find Vivian standing nearby, watching them with a knowing expression.
Khan immediately relaxed a little.
Vivian had been the only member of Liam’s family to treat her with warmth. The only one who didn’t seem to be waiting for her to fail.
Liam nodded, though his expression was still tense. "Yeah. Just—dealing with an unexpected guest."
Vivian hummed. "I noticed. Harold’s not the only one stirring the pot tonight, is he?"
Khan let out a breath. "Apparently not."
Vivian studied them for a moment, then offered Khan a small smile. "Come. I need an excuse to step away from these snobby socialites. Walk with me?"
Khan hesitated, glancing at Liam.
He gave her a subtle nod.
She understood the message. Go. I’ll handle this.
So she let Vivian lead her away, leaving Liam standing alone on the balcony—watching the crowd, watching for threats.
And something in Khan’s gut told her…
This wasn’t over.
Not by a long shot.
- Writer
