The black Maybach rolled smoothly up the long, circular driveway of Red Leaf Manor. The tires crunched softly against the gravel before coming to a stop under the massive stone portico.
Aydin put the car in park. He unbuckled his seatbelt and stepped out into the cool night air. He walked around the hood and pulled open the passenger door. The heavy scent of whiskey and Bianca's floral perfume spilled out into the night.
He leaned in. "We're here, Bianca." He reached across her and pressed the red button to release her seatbelt.
Bianca let out a soft groan. Her body was completely limp. She tilted sideways, practically falling out of the seat. Aydin caught her instantly. He wrapped his arm tightly around her waist, pulling her against his side to keep her upright.
Her head lolled onto his shoulder. Her eyes were half-closed, her breathing shallow. Aydin looked down at her, adjusting his grip to make sure she wouldn't slip.
"What a touching scene."
The voice sliced through the quiet night like a physical blade.
Aydin froze. Bianca's body jerked against him. She forced her heavy eyelids open.
Kahlil stepped out from the deep shadows of the front pillars. The dim porch light hit his face. His jaw was locked so tight the muscles jumped beneath his skin. His eyes were pure, terrifying black.
Aydin's grip on Bianca's waist tightened slightly. He offered a calm, flat smile. "Mr. Montgomery. Your wife had a bit too much. I was just ensuring she got home safely."
Kahlil walked forward. Each step was slow, deliberate, and heavy. His eyes never left Aydin's hand resting on Bianca's hip. His chest rose and fell with rapid, shallow breaths.
"Safely?" Kahlil's voice was a low, dangerous growl. He reached up and violently yanked at his tie, loosening it. "You call this safe? Your hands all over her? In the middle of the night?"
The sheer force of Kahlil's rage sent a shock of adrenaline through Bianca's veins. The alcohol fog cleared just enough for panic to set in. She tried to push herself away from Aydin, her legs trembling. "Kahlil... it's not..."
Kahlil's head snapped toward her. "Shut up! Don't say a word!"
His roar echoed off the stone walls. Bianca flinched, her teeth biting down hard on her lower lip. Her stomach plummeted.
Kahlil turned his lethal glare back to Aydin. A cruel, ugly sneer twisted his lips. "Aydin Lee. The club owner. So, this is how you conduct business? By servicing your clients... personally?"
Aydin's calm facade cracked. His eyes hardened into ice. "I'd watch your tone, Montgomery. I was doing you a favor."
"Favor?" Kahlil let out a harsh, barking laugh. He stepped entirely into Aydin's personal space. "I don't need favors from men who look at my wife like she's their next meal."
Bianca's breath caught in her throat. The humiliation burned her skin like acid. Her hands shook. She wanted to scream, but her throat was completely paralyzed.
Aydin held Bianca steady. He looked Kahlil dead in the eye. "You're drunk on jealousy, not alcohol. And you're hurting her."
The word jealousy acted like a match to gasoline. Kahlil's vision went red. He lunged forward. He slapped Aydin's arm away with brutal force and grabbed Bianca's wrist.
He yanked her forward. Bianca stumbled, her high heels twisting on the pavement. She crashed hard into Kahlil's solid chest. The impact knocked the wind out of her. She smelled the sharp scent of his cologne mixed with the metallic tang of his anger.
Kahlil's arm clamped around her waist like a steel vice. His fingers dug painfully into her ribs. He didn't care. He glared at Aydin. "Leave. Now. Before I do something we both regret."
Aydin looked at Bianca's pale, terrified face. He looked back at Kahlil, his expression filled with absolute disgust. "Take care of her, Montgomery. Or someone else will."
Aydin turned, got into his car, and slammed the door. The engine roared, and the Maybach sped down the driveway, disappearing into the dark.
Kahlil didn't wait a single second. He spun around, dragging Bianca toward the massive front doors. His grip on her wrist was bone-crushing.
Bianca stumbled up the steps, her feet barely keeping up with his furious strides. "Kahlil, listen to me! I just drank too much, he..."
Kahlil stopped so abruptly Bianca slammed into his back. He spun around. He grabbed her upper arms, his fingers biting into her flesh. He leaned down, his face inches from hers.
"He what? Touched you? Held you? Made you smile while you were supposed to be here, in my house?"
Bianca stared up at him. Her heart hammered wildly against her ribs. The raw, desperate possessiveness in his eyes terrified her. It wasn't just anger. It was agony.
She opened her mouth, but no sound came out. The cold night air whipped around them, but the ice in Kahlil's eyes was colder.
