Chapter 34
The music shifts into something slower.
Zane turns slightly toward me. “Dance p>
It’s not a question.
I look at him. “No p>
He doesn’t blink. “You’re going to p>
Lucas moves, but I feel it before I see it. The heat of his anger at my back.
I turn my head just enough. “Don’t,” I say quietly.
Lucas freezes.
Zane watches the exchange, eyes sharp.
He steps closer and lowers his voice. “You want to stand here and let them dissect you all night, or do you want to give them something else to look at p>
I hate that he’s right.
I hate more that he knows it.
“Fine,” I say. “But don’t pretend this means anything p>
His mouth curves slightly. “I wouldn’t insult myself like that p>
His hand settles at my waist.
I stiffen despite myself.
“Relax,” he murmurs. “You’re too stiff p>
“I’m not p>
“You are p>
The dance floor opens in front of us.
Zane guides me into position, one hand firm at my back, the other still holding mine. His touch is confident, practiced, like he’s done this a thousand times and never once cared who was watching.
I hate that it’s easy.
“You planned this,” I say under my breath as we start moving.
“Yes p>
“For Lucas p>
“Mostly p>
“And me p>
His grip tightens just a fraction. “You were convenient p>
I laugh quietly. “You really know how to make a girl feel special p>
He leans closer, his mouth near my ear. “You didn’t agree because you wanted to feel special p>
“No,” I say
He pulls back enough to look at me. His eyes flick over my face, searching.
“You look pale,” he says.
“I’m fine p>
I roll my eyes. “You don’t get to pretend you care p>
Just for a second the room tilts, Just enough that the lights smear and the music dips like it’s underwater.
I blink hard.
Breathe.
Don’t faint breathe
Zane feels it immediately.
“Elaine,” he says sharply, no pretense now.
“I said I’m fine p>
My heel slips.
The floor rushes up.
Zane catches me before I fully register I’m falling. His arm wraps around my waist, pulling me flush against him, steady and solid and entirely too close.
A few people gasp.
“Careful,” someone mutters.
Zane ignores them.
“What the hell was that?” he asks quietly.
I grip his jacket, more to ground myself than for support. “Nothing p>
“That wasn’t nothing p>
“It happens,” I snap. “Fuckign Let go p>
He doesn’t.
His eyes scan my face, jaw tight. “You should sit p>
“No p>
“You almost hit the floor p>
“And I didn’t p>
“Because I didn’t let you p>
I push against his chest, just enough to make a point. “You don’t get credit for catching me after dragging me out here p>
Something dark flickers across his face.
“Fine,” he says. “But don’t you dare collapse, I don’t want that on the tabloids p>
I laugh, breathless. “Trust me. If I wanted to make a statement, you’d know p>
The song ends.
Applause breaks out, polite and shallow.
Zane releases me slowly, like he’s testing whether I’ll stay upright without him.
I do.
Barely.
Lucas is already moving toward us, face tight with worry and anger tangled together.
Zane steps back before he reaches me.
“This isn’t over,” he says quietly, eyes locked on mine. “You don’t get to hide from me p>
I meet his gaze, steady even as my head still spins.
“Neither do you p>
And for the first time since I walked into the hall, I see it.
Something dangerous.
And that scares me more than the dizziness coudl.