The Billion Dollar Wife

#18.

Dominic didn’t just approach, he laid claim, his arms winding around her waist from behind with a possessive force that left no room for escape. The man saw this a scramble away immediately.

"Why are you trying to get their attention?" he murmured against the shell of her ear, his voice a low rasp.

Ava went rigid, the sweetness of a berry bursting on her tongue like a secret. She forced herself to remain calm, though her heart was performing a rhythm against her ribs. "I’m not doing anything, Dominic. I’m simply eating berries."

"Every man in this room has been tracking you like a hungry hyena from the second you stepped inside," he growled, his grip tightening until the silk of her dress groaned. "Every eye is on you, Ava. You’re practically glowing under their scrutiny."

"It isn’t my fault," she whispered, leaning back just enough to feel the solid, unyielding plane of his chest. "I didn't ask them to look."

He raked his eyes slowly over the curve of her shoulder, his gaze heavy and dark with a hunger that had nothing to do with the gala’s offerings. "Stick with me," he commanded. "Don't wander off again."

Ava locked eyes with him, seeing the raw, flickering jealousy he was barely trouble to hide. "I would love nothing more," she said, her voice honeyed with a lie, "but I actually need to use the restroom. Unless you plan on making a scene there, too."

He didn't release her immediately. His gaze searched hers, looking for a fracture in her poise. He made a move to follow, his footsteps mirroring hers.

"Dominic, stop," she said, turning to face him with a soft, mocking smile. "It’s the female restroom. Unless you want to explain to the other wives why the great Dominic is standing guard by the stalls, I suggest you stay here."

He exhaled a frustrated breath, his fingers lingering on her hip for a heartbeat too long before he let go. He stood among the finery of the ballroom, a solitary figure, and watched her disappear into the corridor.

The quiet of the restroom provided a brief, cool sanctuary, but the moment Ava stepped back into the secluded corridor, the air turned cold. A figure stepped out from the recessed lighting, blocking her path with a casual ease. Ava’s breath hitched as she looked up into a face she recognized all too well.

"Isaac," she breathed, her voice a whisper. "What in the hell are you doing here? How did you even get past the security?"

Isaac offered her a slow, oily smirk, his eyes roaming over the gold silk of her dress. "I have my ways, princess. When word reached us about the gala, I knew you’d be the centerpiece. I came to deliver a message."

"A message?" Ava’s eyes darted toward the ballroom entrance, her pulse skyrocketing. "Can’t this wait? If Dominic sees you here, he won't just ask questions—he’ll end you. I can’t get caught, Isaac. Go, now. I’ll see you at the designated time."

She tried to brush past him, but he stepped into her space, his shoulder catching hers.

"This message is specifically from Cain," Isaac said, his tone dropping into something hard and accusatory. "He wanted me to remind you that this is a game. It’s revenge. Don’t tell me you’re already falling for the man who killed your brother."

"Are you insane?" Ava hissed, her fingers digging into the fabric of her clutch. "I haven’t fallen for anyone. Stop this nonsense and leave before you ruin everything. We’ll meet later."

She tried to move again, her heart hammering against her teeth, but Isaac blocked her path once more, a mocking glint in his eyes. He seemed to enjoy the terror he was provoking.

"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE?"

The voice was a low, terrifying growl that seemed to vibrate through the very walls. Dominic stood at the end of the corridor, his silhouette broad and menacing against the light of the ballroom. Ava went perfectly still, the blood draining from her face until she felt faint.

Isaac didn't flinch. He turned toward Dominic with an arrogant tilt of his head, his expression one of bored amusement. "I was only appreciating the lack of beauty in this hallway," he said, his voice dripping with a casual, lethal disrespect. "Your wife is quite the vision, Mr. Dominic."

"You f@cking bastard," Dominic breathed, the words a snarl.

He didn't wait for an explanation. He surged forward with the speed of a predator, his coat billowing behind him. Ava shouted his name, her voice a desperate plea for him to stop, but it was useless. Dominic landed a devastating punch on Isaac’s jaw, the sound of the impact sickeningly loud in the narrow space.

Isaac stumbled back, but Dominic followed, his fists moving in a blur of disciplined, raw violence.

"Dominic, stop!" Ava screamed, her hands flying to her face as Isaac slumped against the wall, blood blooming across his lip. "Stop, Dominic! Oh my god, you’re going to kill him!"

Dominic didn't respond. He was a machine of rage, his knuckles cracking against Isaac’s face again and again. The polished floor was soon marred by dark droplets. The commotion finally drew the attention of the guests, people began to crowd the entrance of the corridor, hushed gasps echoing off the walls.

Two of Dominic’s security detail rushed forward, grabbing his arms and hauling him back with significant effort. Dominic strained against them, his chest heaving, his eyes fixed on Isaac’s broken form with a terrifying, singular focus.

Ava made a move toward Isaac, her instinct to check the damage overridden by a sharp command.

"Ava! Come here. Right now."

She froze. The tone of his voice left no room for defiance. She turned and hurried to his side, her legs trembling so violently she could barely stand. Dominic’s hand clamped around her arm, pulling her flush against his side as he looked down at the man on the floor.

"Mess with my wife again," Dominic growled, his voice carrying to every corner of the hallway, "and I’ll clear you from this earth myself. Do you understand me?"

In a corner of the ballroom, George stood with a glass of champagne in his hand, watching the scene unfold with a slow, dark smirk. He turned to Silas, whose jaw was tightened into a hard, white line.

"Never in all my years did I think I’d live to see the day," George murmured, his eyes glittering with amusement. "Dominic is finally showing his teeth over something other than the family business. He’s becoming possessive."

Silas didn't respond, his eyes fixed on the way Dominic held Ava, his knuckles bruised and his expression one of terrifying ownership.