Blossom

Even in the dark, I could clearly see him. That unmistakable scowl. The clenched jaw. The storm raging in his eyes as he stalked toward me like a man possessed.

Instinct kicked in.

I reached over and locked all the doors. My car windows were tinted—pitch black. There was no way he could see me from the outside. At least, that’s what I told myself.

I leaned back against the seat, letting out a shaky breath as I rested my pounding head against the cushion. It felt like someone had split my skull in half with a hammer. The hangover was setting in fast. My temples throbbed. My vision blurred.

And just when I dared to close my eyes for a second—

His fist slammed into the window like a gunshot.

I nearly jumped out of my skin. My heart dropped so fast it knocked the breath out of me. My chest heaved as I stared at the spiderwebbed glass, my pulse pounding in my ears.

What the hell was he doing?

I clenched my jaw and turned away, pretending I hadn’t seen anything. Of course, he was angry. Probably came here to scream at me again for ‘attacking’ his precious demon mistress. As if a glass of juice and a few words could ever compare to what she did to me.

I didn’t move. I didn’t flinch.

But then—

My head snapped toward the other window just in time to see it explode into fragments.

My breath caught in my throat.

His elbow was bleeding.

He broke the damn window with his arm.

“Are you insane?!” I screamed, instantly sitting upright. “Do you have a death wish?! This is a limited-edition model—do you even realize how expensive this car is?!”

His face was dark. Unmoved.

“I don’t give a damn about your car,” he growled. “Get out. You’re coming with me.”

“Excuse me?” I scoffed, still stunned. “And why the hell would I do that?”

But he didn’t answer. Instead, he reached through the shattered window, yanked up the lock, and stormed around to the passenger side.

He flung the door open and leaned in, his voice cold and commanding.

“Out. Now.”

“Where are you taking me?” I demanded, digging my heels into the floor mat.

“You ask too many questions,” he muttered. “Just shut up and come with me.”

Before I could argue, his hand wrapped around my arm and he dragged me out like I weighed nothing.

“Let go of me! You’re insane!”

“I said, come on.”

He hauled me across the lot toward his car. As we approached, I heard him mutter under his breath. “They’re already here.”

And like a nightmare on cue, a swarm of black sedans and camera flashes appeared down the road. Headlights. Engines. Noise.

Paparazzi.

Of course.

Of course this had to happen now, when I looked like death, smelled like wine, and wanted to disappear.

“Wait—my bag!” I shouted as he opened his car.

“Fuck your bag!” he snapped. “I’ll buy you ten more.”

Before I could react, he shoved open the back door and tossed me inside like I was some discarded package. I barely caught myself before falling sideways.

“You arrogant bastard—”

The words died in my throat when I saw who was sitting in the front seat.

Erin.

Her. Again.

Of course, she was here too.

I sat frozen, heat rising up my neck. My headache flared all over again.

“You clearly don’t know what the word ‘shame’ means,” I muttered bitterly. “Or maybe it just doesn’t apply to homewreckers.”

Leo didn’t flinch. “I’m just dropping her off.”

My laugh was sharp and humorless. “Oh, how noble of you. What are you now—her driver?”

“If she managed to sneak into my home, I’m sure she can find her own way back,” I snapped.

The car fell into silence. Thick. Suffocating.

I sat in the back like an unwanted third wheel, my stomach churning with humiliation. I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t think. My throat felt raw, and my hands were clenched in my lap.

Then Erin spoke, her voice too sweet, too calm.

“Why don’t you just divorce him, Blossom? You’d be doing all of us a favor. Leo could finally move on. He’d have my family’s support… and our business empire.”

I stared at her reflection in the rearview mirror.

“Did someone ask for your opinion?” I snapped.

Her eyes dropped to her lap.

I leaned forward slightly. “Thought so.”

But the next thing I saw made my blood boil.

Leo had reached out and grabbed her hand.

Her fucking hand.

“STOP THE CAR!” I shouted, my voice cracking.

“Blossom—no!” he barked. “Don’t get out! The media’s all over us right now. You walk out, and it won’t just be you that’s screwed. Our families will be dragged into this. I told you—I’m just dropping her off. That’s it.”

“Oh really?” I sneered. “Who said I was the one getting out?”

The car came to a sudden halt, tires skidding across the pavement. If it weren’t for the seatbelt, I would’ve flown forward.

I sat back and crossed my legs with a smirk, lifting my chin like I’d just won a war.

Erin turned toward him, her tone icy. “What does she mean, Leo?”

Her switch in attitude was impressive. Just moments ago, she was playing the poor victim. Now? She looked like a rattlesnake ready to strike.

“The car’s stopped,” I said sweetly. “So, get out.”

“Blossom—” Leo warned.

I met his eyes. “You want me to step out and announce to the press that the two of you are still sleeping together behind closed doors? Want me to remind them that the saintly Erin Madison isn't quite so saintly?”

His jaw twitched.

“Erin,” he said quietly, “please… just get out. I’ll call you later.”

My grin stretched across my face. I didn’t bother hiding it.

Erin hesitated. Then, like a spoiled child who didn’t get her way, she opened the door and stepped out—slow, deliberate, dramatic.

Before she left, she turned to glare at me.

I waved. “Shoo.”

The door slammed shut.

Leo drove off in silence.

The tension in the car was suffocating.

Outside, the sky was dark and heavy, as if it knew what I was feeling. I stared out the window, refusing to speak first.

Finally, I broke the silence.

“You’d do anything to protect her image, wouldn’t you?”

He didn’t respond.

I turned to him slowly. “You guard her reputation like it’s gold. Is that how much she means to you?”

“Yes,” he said without hesitation. “She’s nothing like you.”

My fingers curled against the seat.

And then the words slipped out before I could stop them.

“Really?” I whispered. “Then why don’t you try me in bed and see if you still feel the same way?”