Lucian kept his arm tight around my waist as we left the gala hall. The red wine stain on my green dress felt cold and sticky against my skin. My phone kept buzzing in my clutch, but I ignored it. The familiar face I had seen in the crowd played over and over in my mind.
Lucian’s jaw was set. “I saw her too. My men are handling it.”
“Handling it how?”
He looked at me. “She’s being removed from the gala. Quietly. I don’t want her anywhere near you.”
The drive back to the suite was tense. Lucian’s hand stayed on my knee the whole way. This was protective, almost careful. When we got inside, he locked the door and immediately went to the bathroom. He came back with a clean towel and a bowl of warm water.
“Take off the dress,” he said.
I blinked. “Lucian…”
“I’m not trying anything. The
