Chapter 54

Angela POV

Luca's smirk deepened as he watched me, lounging back into the plush leather of the VIP suite.

His eyes held that familiar entitled gleam I'd seen too many times in men who confused wealth with worth.

"Come now, Angela," he drawled, gesturing to one of his friends to pour more champagne. "Why so serious? We're all friends here."

I kept my stance firm, one hand protectively near Emily.

"I've made myself clear, Luca. This isn't an appropriate venue for business discussions."

One of Luca's friends-a tall man with slicked-back hair and an expensive but tasteless suit-sidled closer to Emily.

"Hey beautiful, how about a drink?" He held out a glass of champagne, his smile predatory. "A pretty thing like you shouldn't just stand there all stiff."

Emily shifted uncomfortably, pressing closer to me. "No, thank you," she said firmly, but I could hear the tremor in her voice.

"Leave her alone," I snapped, my patience wearing thin. "She's here in a professional capacity."

Another of Luca's entourage laughed, the sound crude and mocking.

"Professional? Come on, sweetheart. We all know why pretty girls like you two really come to places like this."

Luca raised his hand, silencing his friends with a lazy gesture. He stood, walking toward me with exaggerated casualness.

"You know, Angela, I've been hearing interesting things about you and Sean." His voice dropped lower, meant for my ears alone. "Word is, he's getting ready to throw you aside. Christina's quite the upgrade, isn't she?"

I felt my jaw tighten but kept my expression neutral. "My marriage is none of your concern."

He chuckled, taking another step closer. "Why keep playing the loyal wife? Everyone knows you're just hanging on by a thread. When Sean dumps you, what will you have left? A failed family name? A bankrupted legacy?" His eyes raked over me appreciatively. "But you could do better. Someone like me could give you everything you need."

Luca's lips curled into a sneer. "Stop acting so high and mighty, Angela. Everyone knows you only married Sean for his money. How are you any different from these hookers?" He gestured dismissively at the women in the room. "At least they're honest about what they're selling."

My eyes flashed dangerously. "And that's exactly why you'll always be nothing but a trust fund playboy who's never earned a dollar on his own," I shot back, my voice dripping with disdain.

"Tell me, Luca, besides spending daddy's money, what exactly can you do?"

"Watch your mouth, Angela. You're not in a position to-"

"To what?" I cut in, my voice ice-cold. "To point out that you're nothing but a parasite? Unlike you, I can actually earn my own living. Take away your father's connections, and what are you? Just another mediocre man with an inflated ego."

Rage flashed across his features. Before I could step back, he grabbed my arm, yanking me closer.

"You think Sean will protect you? He doesn't give a damn about you anymore. I could take you right here, and he wouldn't lift a finger."

He laughed, harsh and ugly. "What are you going to do? Tell Sean? Go ahead. Everyone knows he's too busy with Christina to care about his soon-to-be ex-wife."

Luca leaned in closer. "Why don't you become my mistress instead?" His voice dropped to a husky whisper. "I can make sure you maintain this luxurious lifestyle after your divorce. Remember that island party five years ago? I liked you from the moment I saw you."

The memory suddenly flooded back-that resort party where I'd first encountered Luca. We'd had a heated argument that night.

I remembered it clearly now: he'd made crude comments about my dress, suggesting I was trying to seduce men with my "provocative" outfit. He'd propositioned me for a one-night stand, treating me like some easy conquest.

I felt bile rise in my throat as his face loomed closer, alcohol heavy on his breath. I tried to pull away, but his grip tightened painfully.

"Let go of me," I warned, "or you'll regret it."

"Angela!" Emily's voice suddenly cut through the tension. She rushed forward, trying to pull Luca's arm away from me. "Stop it! Let her go!"

Two of Luca's friends pounced on Emily, their hands rough and greedy. One pinned her slender neck in a bruising grip, his fingers digging into her soft skin, while the other shoved his hand under her blouse, groping her curves with shameless hunger.

"Look at this tasty little treat," one of them growled, yanking her closer, his voice dripping with lust. "Such a loyal assistant, huh? Time to show this sweet thing what happens when good girls step out of line." He pressed himself against her, his bulge obvious through his pants.

"Now, now," the other purred, his hot breath tickling her ear as he dragged his tongue slowly up her cheek, leaving a wet trail across her flushed face. "Don't scare her too much. She's just a pretty little pet trying to please her boss-let's break her in nice and slow."

"Stop!" I struggled harder against Luca's grip, watching helplessly as tears welled up in Emily's eyes. "Leave her alone!"

Luca just laughed, clearly enjoying the scene. "See what happens when you try to act above your station? Now your precious assistant has to suffer the consequences."

Just as one of the men started to force a glass of champagne to Emily's lips, the door burst open with a thunderous crash.

A massive figure filled the doorway-broad-shouldered and intimidating, like a Marine stepped straight out of a recruitment poster.

In the dim light, I could barely make out his features, but his presence commanded immediate attention.

Everything happened in a blur after that. Luca was suddenly on the ground, clutching his jaw. His friends scattered like cockroaches, a few trying to fight back only to be efficiently dispatched by the newcomer's precise, powerful movements.

"Mrs. Shaw," the man's deep voice cut through the chaos, "please come with me. Your car is waiting."

He moved with military precision, creating a safe path through the now-chaos of the VIP room. I grabbed Emily's hand, pulling her along as we followed our unexpected rescuer.

"Are you alright?" I asked Emily as we hurried toward the exit, my heart still racing.

She nodded, though her face was pale. "Yes, thanks to you. And... whoever that is."

As we reached the corridor, I turned to our mysterious savior. "Who are you?"

The man remained silent, his expression unreadable beneath the dim lights. Finally, he spoke, his voice deep and professional. "My employer sent me to assist you, Mrs. Shaw. He would like to meet with you."

More security personnel emerged from the shadows, surrounding us in a protective formation. Despite their intimidating presence, I felt oddly calm. These men had just saved us from Luca-surely I could trust them.

I nodded slowly. "Alright, take me to your employer."

But as Emily and I started to move forward together, the large man held out his arm, blocking Emily's path. "I apologize, Miss Miller, but my employer wishes to speak with Mrs. Shaw alone."

Emily's eyes widened with concern. "But Angela-"

"It's okay, Emily," I reassured her, though uncertainty flickered through me. "Have someone from the office pick you up. I'll be fine."