Bound to my Enemy novel Chapter 11

Chapter 11: Chapter ELEVEN.

The realization hit me all at once. This man wasn’t just some rich stranger Ivyhad accidentally spilled a drink on.

This was him.

He was the date grandfather had planned for ivy.

I stared at Zane Whitmore, my expression calm only because years of practice had taught me how to hide reaction behind stillness. Inside, my thoughts were anything but quiet.

A club?

He brought her to a club?

Of all places.

Ivy stood beside me, shoulders hunched, fingers twisting together nervously. She looked out of place up here. Too young. Too unguarded for a man like this.

I felt irritation rise fast and hot, followed closely by something colder.

Of course this is how he does it, I thought. Dim lights. Alcohol. Loud music. Evaluate how pliable she is.

My jaw tightened.

Zane looked between the two of us, his gaze settling briefly on Ivy before returning to me. "You must be Ivy."

Ivy nodded, barely meeting his eyes. "Yes. I mean.....yes, sir."

Sir.

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.

I stepped slightly in front of her again, my body angling protectively without conscious effort. "So this is the date," I said, my tone polite but edged. "At a club." Since he didn’t answer to my earlier question.

His expression didn’t change. If anything, he looked mildly amused. "Is there an issue with the venue?"

I held his gaze. "For someone who’s barely old enough? Yes."

Ivy sucked in a quiet breath beside me.

Zane studied me more carefully now. Looking Curious.

"You’re her cousin," he said.

"Yes I told you that before."

"And you disapprove."

"That’s one word for it," I replied.

Inside my head, I was far less composed.

Arrogant and detached, he Probably thinks this makes him look modern.

Congratulations. You look like a dick instead.

Ivy shifted nervously. "Elaine, it’s okay. I just....."

"It’s late," I said gently, turning to her. "And you’re exhausted."

She hesitated. "But you..." probably already knowing where I’m headed.

"I’ll be fine."

She didn’t look convinced.

I turned back to Zane. "I’d like her to go home."

His brow lifted slightly. "Now?"

"Yes."

There was a pause. The music pulsed faintly behind us, laughter floating from another booth. Zane glanced at Ivy again, really looking this time, at her unease, the way she stood half behind me and the way she nodded too quickly when he met her eyes.

"Very well," he said. "I’ll have someone take her."

"I want to know who," I said immediately.

Something like approval flickered across his face.

He gestured subtly, and a man stepped forward from nearby. Tall and bulky. Not dressed like security, but unmistakably there for that purpose.

"Marcus," Zane said. "He’ll see her home safely."

I looked at Marcus, assessing. He met my gaze without flinching. Professional and grounded.

I turned to Ivy. "Lucas is going to lose his mind if you’re not home soon."

That did it.

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