Craving My Ruthless Ceo novel Chapter 55

Chapter 55: The Moment I Lost Control

Roman’s POV

“…and with the Beaumont legacy backing this venture, we can ensure that the European market….”

Maison’s voice faded into white noise as my eyes tracked every movement on the dance floor.

I’d been tolerating it, barely. Watching Laurent drag Anna onto the dance floor, his hand wrapping around her waist as he pulled her close to his chest. They both swayed to the music like lovebirds.

The possessive part of me urged me to cross the floor and rip her out of his arms. But I forced myself to stay seated, knowing what was at stake.

But then he leaned down.

Kissed her forehead.

That gentle, intimate gesture shattered the last thread of my control.

And when he leaned lower, his face moving toward her mouth, his intentions crystal clear…

“Fuck,” I muttered under my breath, a curse of frustration. “Bloody bastard,” a bitter insult, laced with anger. “Pardon?” Maison’s voice cut through the red haze of my fury. “Roman, what did you say?”

I forced my gaze back to him, though every cell in my body was screaming at me to move. “Apologies, Mr. Maison. I’m afraid we’ll have to end this meeting. I have an emergency to attend to.”

Maison’s knowing eyes followed my line of sight to the dance floor. A slow smile curved his lips. “Ah. You certainly do. My son has always had a problem keeping his hands to himself.” He gestured toward the floor with his glass. “You’d better hurry before he does something you’ll both regret.”

I didn’t wait for him to finish.

“Thank you for your time,” I said tersely, already rising from my seat and walking away.

I closed the distance in long, purposeful strides, my vision tunneling until all I could see was Laurent leaning toward Anna, his lips inches from hers, his hand possessive on her waist.

Just as he was about to close that final distance, I reached them.

My hand shot out, gripping Laurent’s shoulder with bruising force, and I yanked him away from her.

Laurent stumbled backward, shock flashing across his face. “What the….”

Anna gasped, her eyes flying wide. “Mr. Blackwood…”

I lifted one hand, silencing her with a firm gesture, then immediately reached for her, drawing her against my chest with my other arm.

She collided with me, her palms pressing against my jacket, and I held her there. Possessive. Protective. Mine. “Roman, what the hell?” Laurent recovered quickly, straightening his jacket where I’d grabbed him. Irritation replaced shock. “Don’t you think that was a little too dramatic?”

“Dramatic?” My voice was low, lethal. “I haven’t even started.”

That was when I became aware of the silence around us.

The music had stopped. Couples stood frozen mid-dance. Every single pair of eyes in the ballroom was fixed on us, curious and hungry for gossip.

Fuck. A sharp, inward curse of disbelief.

This was the last thing I needed. The last thing the partnership needed. Some tabloid headline about a brawl at the Beaumont masquerade.

But the fury still burned in my veins. I kept Anna tucked against me as I moved closer to Laurent, my voice dropping to a rough tone.

“You’re lucky we’re at your father’s masquerade ball. Otherwise, my fist would have already connected with

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Chapter 55: The Moment I Lost Control

that plastic surgeon’s masterpiece you call a nose.”

Laurent’s eyes narrowed. “Is that a threat, Blackwood?”

“It’s a promise.” I leaned in closer. “Don’t ever try to put your hands, or your lips, on my assistant again. Are we clear?”

Laurent’s jaw tightened, but instead of backing down, he stepped forward, eliminating the space between us.

“She’s your assistant, Roman. Not your property. Not your girlfriend.”

His gaze shifted to Anna, still pressed against my chest. “She can speak for herself. And she’s the only one who can tell me whether she’s uncomfortable with my attention.”

He looked back at me, challenge blazing in his eyes. “So unless she tells me herself to back off, you can take your possessive caveman routine and go straight to hell.”

The rational part of my brain, the part that understood business consequences and public relations disasters, warned me to walk away now.

But the primal part, the part that had tasted Anna’s sweetness and felt her surrender in my arms, wanted nothing more than to obliterate the smug expression on Laurent’s face.

“You really want to do this here?” I asked, my entire body fuming. “In front of all these people? In front of your father?”

“I’m not the one making a scene, mon ami.” Laurent’s smile was cocky.

“You are. You’re the one who stormed across the ballroom like a jealous boyfriend. You’re the one who can’t handle seeing your assistant enjoy herself with someone else.”

“Enjoy herself?” I laughed, the sound harsh and bitter. “Is that what you think was happening?”

“I think she was having a perfectly pleasant time until you decided to assert some imaginary claim over her.” Laurent crossed his arms. “Tell me, Roman, does she know you think you own her? Does she know that’s how you view your employees?”

My fists curled at my sides, and I drew back my fist.

Just as I was about to let it fly, soft hands wrapped around my clenched fist, pulling me back with surprising strength.

“Mr. Blackwood,” she said quietly, urgently. “Don’t do it.”

Her other hand came up to rest on my chest, right over my thundering heart. I could feel her trembling slightly, whether from fear or adrenaline, I couldn’t tell.

“Everyone is watching,” she continued, her voice low but firm, meant only for me. “Every single person in this room. Think about what this will look like. Think of the Beaumont partnership with Mr. Maison. The headlines tomorrow.” Her fingers tightened on my fist. “Please, Mr. Blackwood. This isn’t worth it. Let’s just go.”

I stared down at her, my chest heaving, desperate to finish what I’d started. To make it clear to every man in this goddamn ballroom that she belonged to me.

But her eyes pleaded with me. Those beautiful eyes that had looked up at me in my home with such trust.

The partnership. The business. The consequences.

I forced myself to breathe. To think beyond the rage.

Slowly, painfully, I unclenched my fist beneath her hands.

I turned back to Laurent, my voice cold as winter. “This is your lucky day, Beaumont.”

Laurent’s jaw tightened, but instead of accepting the out I’d given him, he stepped closer, goading me.

“Lucky? Please. We both know you won’t do anything, Blackwood. Too much at stake, right? Too much to lose?”

His smile turned mocking. “Besides, I heard Americans have weak fists anyway. All talk, no follow-through.”

“Laurent,” Anna’s voice was sharp, warning. “Stop.”

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Chapter 55: The Moment I Lost Control

But the damage was done. My vision flashed red again, my body moving before my brain could catch up.

Anna’s hand tightened desperately on mine, anchoring me. “Roman. Please. Don’t let your ego win at the expense of what’s truly at stake.”

She was right. I knew she was right.

But it took every ounce of control I possessed to step back instead of forward.

“We’re leaving,” I said through gritted teeth.

I turned, using my shoulder to slam into Laurent as I passed, knocking him aside with enough force to send him stumbling. Not a punch, but enough to make my point crystal clear.

Then I strode toward the exit, Anna’s hand firmly clasped in mine, my entire body vibrating with barely controlled rage.

Behind us, I heard Laurent’s voice, loud enough to carry. “Run along, Blackwood. And just so you know, this is just the beginning.”

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