Chapter 21

The entire room went silent.

A dozen bodyguards stiffened in terror. Officer Lawrence and his squad stood frozen, eyes wide in disbelief.

Steven Heath was the king of New Amberton, the pillar of the city's casino empire. No one in their right mind would ever challenge him.

Yet Elio had just flirted with his wife. Right in front of him.

Anyone else would already be dead.

Steven's face drained of color, then darkened to an ominous storm cloud. "...What did you say? Say it again."

Elio's lips curled into a mocking grin. He flicked a cigarette from his pack, tapped it against his palm, and slipped it between his teeth with a casual swagger. “Lucie, what kind of man did you settle for? He's not half as good-looking as me, and now he's deaf too? Everyone here heard me but him."

Steven's jaw clenched so tight a vein throbbed in his temple. "You bastard..."

Officer Lawrence lunged forward, nearly tripping over himself to block Steven. "Easy, Mr. Heath! Take it easy, please don't make this bigger than it has to be. Calm down, sir!"

Elio shot Lucie a smoldering wink, blowing a lazy smoke ring into the air. "Lucie, darling, I'm busy today. But when you're divorced, I'll be waiting."

With a careless wave, he slid into his car.

A fleet of luxury engines roared to life, the deep throaty growl echoing down the avenue as Elio's entourage sped away-loud, flashy, utterly unapologetic.

Lucie's head throbbed, a spike of pain stabbing between her eyes.

Of course.

No matter where he went, Elio was a walking disaster-always fanning the flames, never missing a chance to stir up chaos.

Her chest tightened with frustration.

Steven's sculpted features twisted in fury, his fist clenched so hard his knuckles turned white. He shoved Officer Lawrence aside and strode toward Lucie, his

glare sharp enough to cut. "What's going on between you and him?"

Lucie met his eyes, cold and unyielding. "We're just old friends."

"Just friends?"

"What else would we be?"

Steven's voice dropped to a harsh, accusing rasp. "You two have been sneaking around haven't you? Lubre I swear. If you betray me, I'll wring neck myself. Don't test me."

You

His threat crackled through the air, raw and ugly.

Lucie refused to give an inch. She turned to Officer Lawrence, her tone crisp and icy. "Officer Lawrence, want to report Steven Heath for threatening my life. He's a serious danger to my safety.

"I'm requesting a restraining order. I want him legally barred from coming near

me."

Sweat beaded on Officer Lawrence's

brow. His gaze flicked between the furious husband and the defiant wife, his voice wavering. "Mrs.

Heath maybe we can talk the net

through. This is just a marital spat,

surely it doesn't have to go this far-"

He tried to play peacemaker.

Steven was beyond reasoning. Like a wounded beast, he grabbed Lucie by the wrist, yanking her toward his car. "Get in. We'll finish this at home."

He had never been so publicly humiliated. He'd make sure she paid for it, every last bit, once they were behind closed doors.

Lucie's face went pale. She struggled, twisting her arm in his grip. "Steven, let me go! I've already filed for divorce through my lawyer. You'll get the papers tomorrow.

"We're separated now. There's no way I'm going home with you!"

If he dragged her back, he'd lose control again—just like last night, punishing her

in the darkness of their bedroom.

Besides, she'd managed to pull a few strands of their son's hair. She needed to get that DNA test done.

Steven stared at her, the shock and rage warring in his eyes.

"You're really divorcing me?"

She'd threatened it before, but he'd always assumed it was just empty words, a tantrum.

He never thought she'd actually go through with it.

Was it because of Elio? Or had they been involved all along?

Lucie's voice rang out, steady and final. "That's right. Our marriage is over."