CHAPTER 5 — THE WOMAN IN THE LIBRARY DOORWAY
Chloe did not know what was happening outside.
She only knew Dante had gone still.
Like a predator hearing something break in the distance.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
He didn’t answer immediately.
Then—
“He is still speaking.”
Chloe frowned.
“I don’t care what he says.”
Dante looked at her.
“That is not the problem.”
Before she could ask what was, the library door opened again.
This time, it was not a waiter.
It was security.
Three men.
Followed by Bradley Hayes.
His expression had changed—annoyed, embarrassed, trying to recover control.
“Hey,” Bradley said, stepping into the library like it was still his world. “Sorry about this. This is just a misunderstanding—”
He stopped.
Because he saw Dante.
And something in Bradley’s confidence cracked.
“You,” Bradley said slowly. “You’re the guy from—”
Dante didn’t move.
Bradley turned his attention to Chloe.
“Oh,” he said quickly, forcing a laugh. “There you are. Are you done being dramatic now?”
Chloe stiffened.
But Dante spoke first.
“You will not address her again.”
Bradley scoffed.
“Excuse me?”
Dante turned fully toward him.
And now the room felt smaller.
“You humiliated her in public,” Dante said. “You followed her into a private room. You raised your voice where she sought safety.”
Bradley blinked.
“She’s my ex.”
“That does not give you ownership of her dignity.”
Something snapped in Bradley.
“You don’t even know her!”
Dante’s voice lowered.
“I know enough.”
Bradley stepped forward angrily.
“You think you’re some kind of protector?”
A pause.
Then Dante said:
“No.”
Beat.
May you like
“I am restraint.”
And that scared Bradley more than anger would have.
