Ruthless Heart

“Ashamed to be seen in public with me?” I ask, already knowing the answer. Luckily, I’m saved from her reply by a couple squeezing into the seats next to us.

“Nero!” The woman’s face lights up in surprise, but she’s not sneering like everyone else in the building.

She leans in to kiss my cheek, and I notice Lily tense beside me. Jealousy?

“Juliet,” I greet her, before giving a nod to her husband as he follows.

Caleb Sterling.

My half-brother.

Technically, at least. I don’t think of him as family. After all, we only recently discovered we shared a father, thanks to a long-ago affair. Throw in the fact I was blackmailing him, and you don’t exactly have a recipe for a happy family reunion.

“What a nice coincidence,” Juliet says warmly, as they take their seats. “I’ve been wondering how you are.”

“Can’t complain,” I reply. Juliet’s the one who brokered peace between us, and I have a lot of respect for her loyalty and guts. “How was the honeymoon?”

“It was amazing.” She reaches over and takes Caleb’s hand, giving it a happy squeeze. “We were on a private island, nobody around. Bliss. She shoots a curious look at Lily, and I make a curt introduction.

“So what brings you to the ballet?” Juliet asks.

“Business.”

Juliet grins. “I should have guessed.”

“I’m looking to get a moment with an old friend of mine,” I continue, scanning the auditorium. “Ian McKenna. Have you seen him yet?”

Caleb looks amused. “You just missed him. He and his wife were called away, something important.”

Fuck.

The lights go down before I can reply, and the audience begins to hush. Lily shifts beside me, her arm pressing against mine. Close enough to touch. Her scent lingers, intoxicating, and in the darkness, I can see the rise and fall of her chest in that gown, molded to her breasts.

It’s goddamn torture. Trussed up in this tuxedo, way out of my comfort zone. Stuck sitting beside the woman who torments me every time she draws breath.

This whole evening was a mistake.

I bolt to my feet.

“Where are you going?” Lily asks, tugging on my sleeve.

“Fuck this bullshit.” I shake her free. “I’m going to get a drink.”

I walk out as the music begins and I don’t look back.

Because even glancing at Lily right now is a temptation I don’t want to face. I swore I wouldn’t be her fool again, but dammit if I don’t want to drag her straight out of this fancy world…

And back into my bed.