Rolex’s POV
Mia pulled away from my hug, her eyes narrowing as she took a step
back. “Why are you here?”
I straightened, my hands falling to my sides. “I was invited,” I replied,
trying to sound as casual as possible.
Her brow furrowed. “By who?”
“Does it matter?” I countered, crossing my arms. “It’s a party. Anyone
with the right connections can get in.”
She looked… incredible. The midnight blue dress hugged her in all the
right places, accentuating curves she usually hid beneath baggy clothes.
The soft waves of her hair fell over her shoulders, framing her delicate
features perfectly. But it was her lips that caught my attention the most
-pink, full, and so damn tempting.
I couldn’t stop myself from letting my gaze linger, and when she shifted
uncomfortably under my scrutiny, I realized I might’ve stared too long.
“You look… different,” I said, my voice lower than I intended. “Beautiful,
even.”
Her cheeks flushed slightly, though she quickly masked it with a scowl.
“Don’t start, Rolex.”
“I’m serious,” I continued, stepping closer. “That dress, the way it fits
you… you look hot. Like, really hot.”
Her eyes got wider in surprise, and same I was shocked at myself for
even saying these words.
She glanced around, clearly uneasy. “I don’t need you following me,
Rolex. Go enjoy the party somewhere else.”
Her dismissal stung more than I cared to admit. I wasn’t used to
rejection, especially not from her. “I wasn’t following you,” I defended.
“But clearly, you need someone to watch your back.”
“I don’t need you,” she snapped.
The bluntness of her words sent a wave of irritation through me. My jaw
clenched as I stepped closer. “You think you can just wander around here
without consequences? After what just happened with Aria, you should
be thanking me.”
She shook her head, standing her ground. “I’m grateful for what you did
earlier, but that doesn’t mean I want your company.”
Her refusal was like a slap to my face. My pride wouldn’t allow me to
back down so easily. “Fine,” I said, grabbing her wrist gently but firmly.
“If you don’t want my company, then you don’t need to be here at all.
Let’s go.”
“What are you doing?” she demanded, trying to pull free.
“You don’t belong here,” I told her, ignoring her struggles as I started
walking toward the exit.
Before I could get far, a voice cut through the tension. “Let her go.”
I turned to see Tristan standing there, his eyes locked on me like a
predator sizing up his prey.
“This doesn’t concern you,” I said, my grip on Mia tightening slightly.
“It does when you’re dragging her out against her will,” Tristan replied,
stepping closer.
Mia wriggled her wrist free and stepped between us, her hands raised.
“Both of you, stop. This isn’t the time or place for this.”
I ignored her, my focus solely on Tristan. “You think you can just swoop
in and take over? You don’t know what’s best for her.”
Tristan’s jaw tightened. “And you do? Because from where I’m standing,
you’re the one making her miserable.”
I took a step closer, the tension between us thick enough to cut with a
knife. “Watch your words, Tristan.”
“Or what?” he challenged, his gaze unwavering.
Before things could escalate further, Mia placed a hand on my chest,
pushing me back. “Enough, Rolex. I’m not going anywhere with you, and
I’m staying at this party.”
Her defiance only fueled my irritation. “You don’t get to decide that,” I
snapped.
“Actually, I do,” she shot back, her eyes blazing. “And if you don’t leave
me alone, I’ll tell Diego everything. Do you really want to deal with him
when he finds out you tried to drag me out of here?”
The mention of Diego made me pause. I knew she wasn’t bluffing, and
the last thing I needed was another lecture from him. I exhaled sharply,
stepping back. “Fine. Stay here. But don’t come crying to me when
things go south.”
I turned to leave, but not before glaring at Tristan one last time. “This
isn’t over.”
He smirked, clearly satisfied with the outcome. “It never is with you.”
I made my way to the bar, grabbing a glass of whiskey and downing it in
one gulp. The liquid burned as it went down, but it did little to soothe my
frustration.
Mia’s rejection lingered in my mind, taunting me. She was different now
-stronger, more defiant. And for some reason, that only made me more
drawn to her.
“Let her be,” I muttered to myself, signaling the bartender for another
drink. But the more I tried to push her out of my thoughts, the more she
crept back in.
A familiar laugh caught my attention, and I turned to see the rest of my
brothers entering the party with Layla and Scarlett.
“Well, look who finally decided to show up,” Nathan said, his tone laced
with sarcasm as he approached me.
Sean followed close behind, his gaze scanning the room. “Where’s Mia?”
“She’s here,” I replied, swirling the whiskey in my glass. “And before
you start, no, I didn’t drag her out like I planned.”
Layla raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. “Trouble in paradise?”
“Mind your business,” I muttered, taking another sip.
Scarlett leaned against the bar, her eyes glinting with curiosity. “So,
where is she? I’d love to have a little chat.”
I shot her a warning look. “Don’t start with her, Scarlett. She’s had
enough for one night.”
Scarlett smirked but didn’t push further.
Nathan nudged my arm. “You’re way too invested in her.”
“Am not,” I snapped, the defensiveness in my tone betraying me.
“Sure,” Sean drawled, clearly unconvinced.
I was about to fire back when I overheard Mia’s voice from across the
room. She was speaking with Layla and Scarlett, and curiosity got the
better of me.
I moved closer, staying just out of sight but within earshot.
“You two seem awfully interested in Tristan,” Mia said, her tone calm
but firm.
“Can you blame us?” Layla replied with a laugh. “He’s handsome,
charming, and clearly out of your league.”