Page 146 of Temporary Vows

Like me, he thought, Dorian would be well on his way to Chicago. Of on another business trip to make even more money than he already has.

What on earth is he doing here?

Someone must have told him we were here. What I don’t get is why that would interrupt his oh so very important trip.

He doesn’t seem to like Parker. That much has always been clear. But does he hate him that much to get pissed about me being here with him?

From the snarl on his face that grows more vicious the closer he gets, I get my answer.

Just the sight of him sets me on edge, and I hate the way my heart betrays me with that small, reckless skip.

Parker straightens in that aloof manner you’d expect to find on a distinguished businessman.

“Dorian.” His voice reflects the same mannerism—cool and unbothered. “Thought you’d be in Chicago by now.”

“So you thought you’d use the chance to take my wife out?” Dorian is so loud, everyone is looking at him.

“It’s just dinner?—”

“You have a real death wish, you know that?” Dorian sneers, his eyes bulging with rage.

“Dorian, please calm down,” I cut in. “We were just having dinner.”

To my annoyance, he doesn’t even look at me. His eyes are fixed on Parker. And he really does look like he’s going to kill him. His hands are at his sides, balled into tight fists, hisshoulders are squared, ready for battle, and his eyes have a murderous look in them that makes my heart gallop in terror.

God what am I supposed to do?

“You need to watch yourself and stop acting like a fucking asshole.” Parker adopts a holier than thou tone, even I know is a bad idea.

“Sorry, but no.” Dorian seethes and the next thing I know, he grabs Parker’s steak knife and throws it back onto the table.

I shriek as the knife slams into the table, burying itself between his middle and ring finger.

The blood drains from Parker’s face and he goes so still I fear his soul has left his body. His eyes flick down to the knife, analyzing just how close he came to losing his finger.

His gaze returns to Dorian but Parker remains perfectly still.

“It’s time you had a rude awakening,” Dorian continues, teeth bared.

I bolt up, my heart pounding against my throat. “Dorian, stop it.”

Again, he ignores me. But I don’t even get the chance to be annoyed. He grabsmysteak knife next and gets up in Parker’s face.

Out the corner of my eye I catch the restaurant manager trying to signal security.

“Dorian, my God, stop it.” I step closer.

Dorian taps the tip of the knife to Parker’s nose. “I am one crazy motherfucker. Do not fuck with me. Come near my wife again and I will destroy you.” He taps once more then flips the knife over, and slams it down. It lands, smack between Parker’s legs.

I never thought Parker had it in him to look so terrified. He seems so put together. But I can hardly be surprised. Dorian has proven today that he’s more than just unhinged.

Dorian straightens and finally looks at me. “We’re going home.”

Those eyes rivet to mine and suddenly the weight of embarrassment crashes into me. My cheeks burn with it, then the heat flushes over from head to toe.

I should stand my ground. I’m not a dog or some kind of animal he can command. But I remember the contract and the show we’re supposed to be putting on for the world. Anything I say is going to start an argument so I hold my tongue, grab my bag, and barge past him instead.

He catches up to me just as the security guard arrives. The man tries to talk to Dorian, but is rebuffed with one death stare from my villainous husband that stops the words from coming out of his mouth.