Vaughn's face turned red. He threw the bouquet of roses onto the floor. The red petals scattered across the cheap hallway carpet.
"You never care!" Vaughn yelled. He stepped closer, using his height to tower over her. "For seven years, all you cared about was your work. You suffocated me, Carli!"
Carli let out a short, cold laugh. "I suffocated you? I spent the last three years using my contacts to save your company from bankruptcy. Three times, Vaughn."
Vaughn's jaw clenched. His mask of guilt fell away, replaced by pure anger. He took another step forward, trapping her between the wall and the elevator door.
"If you break off this engagement," Vaughn threatened, his voice dropping low, "the Bass and Adler family merger is dead. Your father will destroy you."
Carli didn't blink. She looked straight into his eyes. "That's between you and the old men. It has nothing to do with me."
Vaughn's breathing turned heavy. He suddenly changed his tone. "Carli, come on. Isla was just a cheap thrill. It meant nothing."
Carli reached into her coat pocket. She pulled out her phone and tapped the screen. She pressed play.
The sound of Isla's moans and Vaughn's heavy breathing blasted from the phone speaker. The noise filled the quiet hallway.
Vaughn's eyes widened in horror. "Give me that!"
He lunged forward and swiped at her phone.
Carli was faster. She shoved the phone deep into her pocket and stepped back.
Vaughn lost his mind. He lunged again. His large hand clamped down on Carli's left wrist. His grip was brutal. Pain shot up her arm.
"Let go of me!" Carli yelled. She tried to pull away, but he was too strong. Her shoes scraped against the floor.
"You are not leaving me!" Vaughn roared. He yanked her toward him, trying to drag her back toward her apartment door.
Carli's heart hammered against her ribs. She stopped pulling. She forced her brain to focus.
Her right hand was free. She reached into the side pocket of her tote bag. Her fingers wrapped around a small, cold metal cylinder. It was military-grade pepper spray.
Vaughn grabbed her shoulders. He leaned in, trying to force his mouth onto hers.
Carli pulled the safety pin. She raised her hand, aimed the nozzle directly at his eyes, and pressed down hard.
A thick stream of orange chemical spray hit Vaughn straight in the face.
Vaughn let out a blood-curdling scream.
He dropped Carli's wrist instantly. He brought both hands up to his face, clawing at his eyes. He collapsed onto his knees, screaming and coughing as the chemicals burned his skin and lungs.
Carli stepped back. She rubbed her throbbing wrist. A dark red bruise was already forming on her pale skin.
She looked down at the pathetic man crying on the floor.
"If you ever come within ten feet of me again," Carli said, her voice completely steady, "I will get a restraining order."
She stepped over the crushed red roses. She walked into the elevator and pressed the button for the basement garage.
The doors closed, cutting off Vaughn's screams.
Carli leaned against the metal wall. She took a deep breath. Her hands were shaking slightly from the adrenaline, but her mind was crystal clear.
She walked to her Mercedes G-Wagon. She unlocked it, climbed in, and locked the doors. She looked in the rearview mirror. Her hair was still perfect.
She started the engine. The heavy SUV roared to life. Carli slammed her foot on the gas. She drove out of the garage and merged onto the highway heading toward Long Island.
She turned up the heavy metal music on the radio. She was ready for war.
