Broken Reign: Enemies-To-Lovers Romance

I hurry my steps as I move down the corridor. The sound of my soles hitting the marble with a faint clapping rhythm marks my approach. As I weave my way through the corridor, it only takes a few seconds before I walk into the large room.

It’s packed.

This is not a courthouse. This is a fucking circus. And Felix, he’s the ringleader.

It’s a who’s who in attendance.

First, I spot the hungry newscaster from channel five. She’s a pretty young thing. Perfect shoulder-length blond hair styled to perfection, with a bubble gum smile, and still wet behind the ears. I can practically see her salivating in her seat to get the story.

Little does she know, her boss probably sent her to save himself a headache. There won’t be a story today.

Looking across the room, I notice Gideon. He’s already waiting right where he told me he’d be.

Dressed in a suit, he acts the part of a legit businessman. But seeing him here still feels wrong. Men like him—men like me—spend little time in court. Normally, we are covered in blood while holding some poor bastard’s insides in our hands.

Taking the seat beside him, I nod in greeting but don’t speak. He probably appreciates it. Gideon is a man of few words, and when he speaks, it’s often to scoff or make a snide, sarcastic comment.

A quick glance around has me taking in my surroundings, my gaze finding my target.

Bernard.

He oozes wealth.

He’s not an ugly man—quite the contrary. If I were a woman, I could see the appeal. Tanned skin with salt-and-pepper hair.

Always dressed to perfection, he plays the role of a distinguished businessman to a T.

I should know. I play it just as well.

But I also know it’s bullshit.

We both walk the line, lurking in the underworld in equal measures.

Felix, too, is glancing around the space as if searching for someone. Once he assesses the crowd, he looks over to where his lawyers are standing, one man and a woman.

I pay the man no mind, but it’s the woman who has me curious.

From the way she’s angled, I can’t see her face, but what I can see, I already like. Long wavy brown hair bounces down her back as she speaks to her client.

She’s dressed for court, but she’d be just as comfortable going out to dinner in her outfit. A fitted blazer over an equally fitted dress adorns her body. She moves to lift her sleeve, and an image peeks back at me. A tattoo?

Interesting. Also, surprising.

Who is your lawyer, Bernard?

That’s when she turns toward the back of the room, and my actual fucking breath leaves my body.

Fuuuuck.

“Everything okay over there?” I hear Gideon say beside me, but his words sound as though he’s speaking underwater. I’m transfixed, and I can’t pull away.

Soft lips, that’s the first thing I see. Not too large, but large enough to get the job done. She’s not like the women I’m usually attracted to. She’s a natural beauty, as if she doesn’t wear a bit of makeup and is just gorgeous without the additional help. My gaze continues its perusal of her.

Until I land on her eyes. Eyes that look haunted. Which I can understand because I’m haunted just the same.

“Tobias.” The words filter in, but I still can’t break away.

A tap on my arm hits me next, but I still don’t sever our connection.

She looks familiar.

Eyes I can’t place.

She reminds me of a girl I once met.

Maybe it’s her.

I wait to see if she recognizes me. Not only because I believe we met once, but because everyone does eventually. My face has littered many a magazine. Speculation on where my money comes from. On my bachelor status.

But there’s nothing there . . .

A blank slate.

My teeth clench. She doesn’t know who I am.

Maybe I’m wrong? Maybe it’s not her.

No.

A flare of anger seeps into my veins as I stare her down. We’re locked in a battle of wills. Who will end this first? She does, finally, after long seconds, breaking the connection to turn back to her client.

The muscles in my back tighten. Her dismissal pisses me off even more. I narrow my eyes and continue to watch her. That’s when she does it. She looks back at me.

Couldn’t help herself.

I wink at her and even from here, I can see her cheeks redden. Her eyes go wide. She didn’t think I’d catch her.

Good.

She blinks before her head gives a little shake, and she turns back to her client.

Gideon says something else, but he could tell me the world is about to end, and it would make no difference.

The hearing commences, and I watch her for hours without pulling my gaze away. As time goes on, her arguments become more powerful and heated.

Her voice rising through the air with authority.

She’s dynamic as she speaks. A force to be reckoned with.