Ciara's POV

“How could you, Lauren? You were supposed to be mine!” Zach yelled, his voice cracking with frustration. “I’ve wanted you for years. This jerk just met you! Why couldn’t you accept me?”

I didn’t flinch. My voice was calm but commanding. “Open the gate. Let him in.”

The gate guards glanced at Ashton for approval before slowly swinging the gate open. I could have bypassed the whole thing, lifted both men over the fence without breaking a sweat, but I chose to be ...