Chapter 174

The cold edge of the sink dug into Lucie's back. Steven's grip on her arm was so tight it hurt, and she tried to pry his fingers off. "Let go! Let me go, Steven!"

He only held her tighter, his breath hot and furious against her cheek. "So you're really keeping another man right under my nose, huh? You've got guts, Lucie."

"Let go!" Lucie snapped, her eyes red with anger. "Steven, the divorce agreement spells it out-we have nothing to do with each other anymore. The money you gave me was compensation. What I do with it is my business. Are you planning to control me even after we're done?"

He stared at her, the defiance in her eyes making his chest ache and his anger burn hotter. He couldn't stop himself from thinking about that night before their divorce-the way she'd clung to him, crying, begging, telling him she loved him and couldn't let go. But just like that, she'd moved on. It was like he'd never mattered at all. And now she already had someone else.

He just couldn't accept it.

"Let go," Lucie said again, struggling harder.

Steven refused to budge.

Suddenly, someone knocked on the door. "Lucie? Are you okay?" It was Elio's voice.

Lucie's heart jumped. She shoved Steven with all her strength. "Let go of me!"

Steven's voice was low and angry. "I know we're divorced, but I don't want you seeing anyone else. Not this soon."

"Who I see has nothing to do with you."

"At least for a year, Lucie. You're not seeing anyone."

Before Steven could say another word, the door swung open. Elio stepped in, his usual carefree look gone. "Steven, let her go."

Steven glared at him. "This is between Lucie and me. Stay out of it unless you want trouble."

Elio just laughed, cool and unbothered. "You two are divorced. Lucie's with me now. If you touch her again, I won't be so easygoing."

Steven's jaw tightened. He let go of Lucie and stepped threateningly toward Elio.

Elio didn't flinch. He stared Steven down, fearless. Getting into fights never bothered him, not even here in New Amberton. Steven wasn't special.

"Wow, Elio, you're really full of yourself," Steven sneered.

"I've heard that before," Elio shot back.

Lucie stepped between them things could get worse.

. "Steve ne

don't." Then she grabbed Elio's arm. "And you, stop it too. I need to get

gets

back to the hospital. Let's just go."

"Lucie, you don't need to be scared of him," Elio said, still glaring at Steven. "If he messes with you again, I'll handle it."

Steven's laugh was cold. "Keep

running your mouth, Elio. Sooner or later it'll catch up with you." He knew Elio's background, and he couldn't afford to gross him openly but there were always other ways to get even. A hundred ways, if he was being honest.

Elio raised an eyebrow, taunting. "Do I look like I need your opinion?"

Lucie tugged harder on his arm, dragging him away. "Enough. I'm in a hurry."

She practically pulled him out of the restroom to keep things from exploding. Ten minutes later, they were outside the restaurant.

Elio was still fuming. "Lucie, why are you so

divorcared of him? You're

Vol.ne

divorced. He's nothing to you now. If he gives you any trouble just tell me. deal with it."

Lucie started the car, her head pounding. "Just drop it, okay? Don't stir things up with him."

"You really think I can't take him?" Elio challenged.

"Why do you need to?" Lucie shot back. "Seriously, Elio, just go back to Elmridge. There's no reason for you to keep coming here."

Elio rolled his eyes. "Please. I'd love to see him try anything."

Lucie just sighed, feeling even more drained.

***

Back inside the restaurant, Steven returned from the restroom to find the table empty. Bria and Cody were gone.

He flagged down a server. "The lady and the little boy who were sitting here- where'd they go?"

"They left right after you went to the restroom, Mr. Heath."

Panic shot through him. He rushed outside, already dialing Bria's number. It rang and rang, then went to voicemail.

His gut twisted with anxiety. Bria was definitely mad. She had a fierce temper-he knew that better than anyone. When she got angry, all bets were off.

He fired off a text: Bria, where are you? Call me back. Are you upset?