Be arched her perfectly manicured eyebrow and, with slow deliberation, lifted her stiletto-d foot.
She wiped the streak of blood from its heel against Sophia''s mouth
Then she spat, full of contempt, right onto the woman''s fainted body.
"Get her out of my sight," Be snapped, coolly flicking her gaze the two bodyguards.
"She''s not fit to breathe the same air as the rest of us. Make sure you two enjoy it."
Without hesitation, the guards each grabbed one of Sophia''s arms and began dragging her across the polished marble floor.
Her battered, lifeless body smeared a faint streak of blood in its wake.
A small knot of onlookers gathered-some wrinkling their noses, others letting out cruel, amused chuckles.
"That''s what you get for trying to swipe something from Jericho Kane''s family," one of them sneered.
Amiddle-aged man, wine ss in hand, watched Sophia with open scorn.
"If she was that desperate for money," he drawled, a smirk tugging at his lips, "I would''ve written her a check. Pathetic little thief. She could''ve sold her body-God knows someone would pay
The guards unceremoniously shoved Sophia into the lobby just as a tall figure stepped through the main doors.
The moment his eyesnded on the bloody woman, his face twisted with rage.
"Out of the way!" one guard barked, dismissively waving at him. "Can''t you see this is a private event?"
Before the words fully tumbled out of the guard''s mouth, he was sprawled on the floor, unconscious.
His partner joined him, knocked out cold in seconds.
Alex dropped to one knee beside Sophia. 1
His expression was livid-yet beneath the furyy a desperate concern.
Without a word, he fished out a small, glimmering pill, gently pried open Sophia''s lips, and ced it on her tongue.
"You''ll be all right," he muttered under his breath, watching her swallow. "Just hold on."
Two men in sharp suits appeared at Alex''s nk-his allies, known by the solemn crest embroidered on theirpels.
"Get her to a hospital," Alexmanded, his gaze never leaving Sophia''s bruised face. "And lock this ce down. No one leaves until I say so." 1
"Yes, sir," they responded in unison, quickly lifting Sophia''s limp body and carrying her out.
Inside, the banquet continued almost untouched by the violence at the entrance. Be was still the gravitational center of the room-everyone wanted a taste of her attention.
The band yed smooth jazz, servers circted with trays of champagne, and well-heeled guests buzzed around the birthday girl as though nothing horrific had happened just minutes ago.
Only the truly important visitorsmanded any real interest from Be.
Everyone else was beneath her notice.
Just then, one of her assistants rushed up.
"Miss Be," she said, in a breathless whisper, "Mr. Dupont from Chicago has arrived."
Be''s eyes glowed with a sudden warmth.
In strolled Henry Dupont-renowned, wealthy, carrying himself with understated confidence.
Four female bodyguards nked him, each an Imposing figure in her own right.
"Mr. Dupont," Be said, her sultry voice dropping a notch, "what a pleasure. Happy you could make it."
"Of course I''ming-it''s your banquet,” Henry said, offering ornate gift box with a small smile.
Be offered a coy smile. "That''s too generous, really. Your presence is gift enough."
They exchanged a few pleasantries while bystanders whispered in excited confusion:
"Who the hell is he?"
"Chicago big-shot, maybe?"
"He must be loaded to get that kind of wee."
Amid this sea of sophisticated chaos, two guards posted at the entrance squared their shoulders, blocking a lone figure who marched forward with unsettling resolve.
"Invitation?" one guard demanded, crossing his arms.
"Move," Alex growled, pushing past before they could blink.
"You piece of trash!" the other guard snarled, lunging for him-only to copse in a heap when Alex''s hand snapped out, a punishing blow dropping him instantly.
His partner followed in a simrly humiliating defeat, hitting the floor so fast that a few onlookers gasped.
In the hush that followed, Alex strode into the ballroom, scanning the crowd until his gaze locked on Be.
His voice, quiet but unyielding, carried easily over the buzz of music and conversation:
"Which one of you bastards is Be Kane?"
A hush descended. Confusion and disapproval rippled across the guests.
Mouths opened in shock-nobody dared to address Jericho Kane''s daughter like
that.
Be stood, her perfectly tinted lips twisting in annoyance.
"Who the hell are you?"
People parted to let Alex pass. He moved through them like a storm, eyes zing.
Nearby, a few nobodies with big mouths began to murmur:
"Isn''t that Sophia''s ex-husband? I thought his only talent was keeping Jessica Hilton''s bed warm."
"What the hell is he doing here?"
"Trying to sell himself to Be, maybe. Gotta admit, he is easy on the eyes..."
“Ugh, disgusting. His ex-wife just got torn apart, and now he''s wagging his tail for the one who did it?"
"Pathetic doesn''t even begin to cover it. What a twisted, spineless freak."
Be cocked her head, a mockingugh escaping her lips.
"Sophia... was it you who made her bleed?"
"Oh, that''s why you''re here? Still crying over that useless whore?
*
She flicked an imaginary speck of dust off her designer dress
She''s lucky she only got roughed up. I should''ve taught her a bigger lessons. But if you''re entering to grose in fiet para " e''s grin sharpened.
"Then maybe I''ll let her keep breathing."
"Was that level of cruelty truly necessary?" Alex asked, his voice m enough to kill.
Be curled her lip. "She brought it on herself. A backstabbing little tramp has no right to roam free around here. And guess what? That was just the beginning." Alex gave a mirthlessugh.
''He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not be a monster!
"So, you tortured her-right in front of everyone-and none of these spineless cowards lifted a finger to stop you?"
Be shrugged off his usation. "No one cares, especially not about a nobody who tried to steal from the Kanes. This is my doma. People do what I want, when I
want."
The final syble barely left her lips when an explosive p echoed through the
cavernous room
Be''s body spun in midair, and she crashed to the floor with a bone-rattling thud.
Blood trickled from her nose, and broken teeth ttered to the tiles.
Stunned silence followed-guests stood frozen, their horrified gazes darting from Be''s sprawled body to Alex''s unwavering
stance.
He had struck Jericho Kane''s beloved daughter. In front of everyone.
And in that breathless moment, not a soul dared speak.
They had never seen anyone-anyone-so bold, so unshakably defiant, so willing
to set fire to the Kane family''s untouchable empire... all for a woman.
Romantic? Maybe.
Stupid? Definitely. 1
But undeniable? Absolutely. Today''s Bonus Offer