Page 47 of Gatsby's Starlet
I let it sit. Let it stretch. Because that’s when it starts to settle in deep, when it stops being a reaction and turns into something that sticks. Let her think about what she’d just seen. Let it get under her skin.
Only then did I turn.
She was still by the door, arms wrapped around herself like she could hold it in, but it was already slipping through, anger, jealousy, fear, all twisted together and laid out plain as hell across her face, and I just stood there for a second, taking it in, not rushing it, not wasting it.
There was something almost satisfying about it. Not the emotion itself, but what it meant. Because now it was there. And once it’s there, it’s a hell of a lot easier to use.
“You embarrassed me,” she said, her voice tight, trying to sound stronger than she felt. “Out there. In front of everyone.”
I leaned back against the table, crossing my arms, watching her the same way I would anyone else pushing a line they weren’t sure they should cross. “No,” I said evenly. “You embarrassed yourself.”
Her face faltered—just for a second—but I saw it.
“You walked up to me like you had a claim,” I went on. “Like you forgot what this is.”
Her jaw tightened. “I didn’t forget anything.”
“Then don’t act like it,” I snapped, my tone sharpening just enough to cut.
Silence dropped again.
She swallowed, her eyes flicking away before coming back to me, stubborn even now. “I don’t like seeing you with other women,” she said, quieter this time, but no less real. “Not like that.”
I pushed off the table and took a step toward her backing her into the wall. “You don’t get to fucking like or not like anything I do,” I said, stopping just in front of her. “You don’t get a say. You don’t get a place.”
Her breath hitched, but she held my gaze. “I’m not asking for a place,” she said. “I’m asking you not to treat me like I’m nothing.”
She was nothing, but now wasn’t the time to point that out. I needed Ruby to keep Evie in line. “Then don’t act like nothing,” I said, my voice dropping. “Because what I saw out there?” I stepped closer, crowding her even more. “That was weak.”
Her eyes flashed. “Weak? I’ve done everything you’ve asked. I brought Evie here. I’ve kept my mouth shut. I’ve stood by youwhile you—” her voice broke for half a second before she forced it steady again, “—while you act like I don’t exist compared to a ghost.”
I grabbed her chin, not hard, but firm enough to stop her right there. “Careful,” I murmured.
She went still. Not pulling away. Never pulling away.
“You don’t get to question me,” I said, my thumb pressing just enough to remind her who was in control. “You don’t get to raise your voice. And you sure as fuck don’t get to forget why you’re here.”
Her breathing had gone shallow now, eyes locked on mine, something fragile flickering behind the anger. “I’m here because I love you,” she said desperately.
I held her gaze a second longer, searching for something I didn’t even bother naming, then released her, stepping back like she’d said something irrelevant.
“That’s your problem,” I said flatly. I turned away, walking a few steps before adding, “Not mine.”
“You threatened her,” she said finally, her voice quieter now, but there was steel under it. “Evie. You didn’t have to do that.”
I let out a slow breath, dragging a hand over the back of my neck before turning halfway toward her. “Yes, I did.”
“She’s scared,” Ruby said. “She doesn’t belong in this—”
“She belongs where I say she belongs,” I cut in, my patience thinning. “And right now, she’s useful.”
“She’s my sister,” Ruby snapped, emotion breaking through again.
“I don’t give a fuck who she is,” I shot back. “She does what I tell her, or I’ll follow through on my threat.”
That shut her up.
Good.
