Vivian didn't leave. She went to the parking lot and waited.
She sat on the hood of her car, watching the sun go down. The air was getting cold.
Two hours later, Julian and Silas walked out of the clubhouse.
Vivian slid off the hood. She was about to call out when a black SUV pulled up.
Conrad got out.
Vivian froze. If Conrad saw Julian rejecting her, the lie would crumble. She had to act.
She ran.
"Julian!" she squealed.
She launched herself at him. Julian, reflexes honed by years of something darker than law school, caught her before she slammed into him.
Vivian wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face in his chest. "I missed you, baby!"
She pinched his side, hard. Play along, she willed him.
Conrad stopped. He looked from Vivian to Julian.
"So it is true," Conrad said, looking disgusted. "You're actually with her."
Julian looked down at Vivian. She was trembling against him. He looked up at Conrad. He saw the arrogance in Conrad's face, the way he looked at Vivian like she was property.
Julian felt a surge of irritation. Not because he cared about Vivian, but because he hated having his things-or things he was currently holding-threatened by lesser men.
He didn't push her away. He put a hand on the small of her back. It was a possessive, heavy weight.
"This is a private conversation, Conrad," Julian said coldly. "Walk away."
Conrad sneered. "Fine. Keep the damaged goods. Just don't expect to see a dime of the estate."
Conrad got in his SUV and drove off.
The second the taillights disappeared, Julian ripped Vivian's arms off his neck. He stepped back as if she were radioactive.
He looked at his shirt, then at her, his expression filled with cold disdain.
"That," Julian said, his voice ice, "was the last time you use me as a shield."
"Thank you," Vivian said, hugging herself. "He would have-"
"I don't care," Julian cut her off. "If you come near me again, Vivian, I won't call the police. I will destroy you myself. Do you understand?"
He got into Silas's car. They drove away, leaving her alone in the dark parking lot.
Vivian felt a tear slide down her cheek. She wiped it away angrily.
"Message received," she whispered.
