Chapter 5 Pay For What Claire's Endured

Ryan, eyes glinting with wicked amusement, remarked, "Miss Dawson, you sure don't hold back!"

The group of men hurried to find their places, laughter echoing beneath the bar's extravagant glow.

Slipping quietly into the shadows, Melinda lifted her glass, making her way to a distant sofa tucked away from the crowd.

She observed that one man, set apart from the commotion, was lost in his own world. His hair gleamed, swept back neatly, and he concentrated on a game.

Declan kept his gaze frigid, offering her not even a hint of help.

Accepting her fate for the evening, Melinda decided that if she must choose, it should be a man who at least looked handsome.

A flicker of hope crossed her mind. Maybe, if he was influential enough, he could challenge Declan and give her a way out.

Melinda edged closer, adopting a teasing tone. "Sir, am I lovely in your eyes? Would you get me out of this situation?"

The moment her words drifted through the air, an uneasy hush swept across the room.

Darin's expression changed, his attention cutting to Declan with new wariness.

The glass in Declan's hand hovered, his stare growing colder by the second.

He fixed his attention on Melinda. She leaned in to reveal her delicate collarbone.

Letting a quiet curse slip, the man engrossed in the game finally glanced at her, a sly grin lighting up his face.

He murmured, "Who could pass up an offer like that? Declan, can I take her home?"

A subtle flicker crossed Melinda's features. From his casual banter, it was clear he and Declan knew each other well.

Her eyes flicked over to Declan for a hint of his reaction.

Declan watched as Melinda brushed against Henrik Willis' leg, her short skirt rising high on her thigh. Memories of their tangled encounter the previous night clouded his expression.

A shadow passed over his gaze, darkening it.

"So, Henrik, you don't care if I've had my way with her?" Declan's smile was razor-edged, his tone deceptively light.

Henrik answered with a lazy grin, "Are you telling me you slept with her-the one you can't stand?"

Claire caught the chill in Declan's handsome, impassive face-a tension the others missed.

She saw the truth: Declan did care.

Worry flickered in her eyes. She hurried to Melinda's side, gripping her arm in a feigned panic. "Melinda, I'm so sorry. This is all my fault. Please don't provoke Declan. Mr. Willis owns this bar, and he's Declan's closest friend. I get that you want protection, but you can't just throw yourself at Mr. Willis. Don't do anything reckless."

So this was the man behind the bar?

Melinda had never crossed paths with him before.

Despite their two years' marriage, not once had Declan introduced her to any of his friends.

Even with her privileged upbringing, Declan had never offered her the respect she deserved.

Was Claire throwing that fact in her face on purpose?

Every word seemed crafted to remind Declan that Melinda was desperate to find herself a new backer.

Disgusted, Melinda shrugged Claire off, voice sharp with scorn. "Cut the act. You really expect me to buy this concerned friend routine? Maybe others fall for your damsel-in-distress act, but I see right through you!"

Though her push was weak, Claire tumbled hard onto the couch, a dramatic fit of coughing sending blood to her lips.

"I never meant to upset you, Miss Dawson," Claire murmured, her voice frail and colored with bitterness.

"You're just begging for trouble, Melinda!" Declan stormed over, his jaw tight with rage at the sight of Claire's pale, stricken face.

He loomed above Melinda, his height casting a deep shadow, his hand closing around her delicate neck as if tempted to end the argument right there. "Claire has been nothing but kind with you, but you're shameless. Are you so desperate to disgrace me you'd throw yourself at Henrik? Happy to be anyone's lover-as long as it's not mine?"

A chill lingered in his gaze, stripped of any warmth or amusement.

Without hesitation, he shoved her toward Ryan. "Mr. Hayes, didn't you want a night with her?"

With nothing but contempt in his eyes, he tossed Melinda aside as though she was little more than trash.

A quick glance at Claire told her everything-this must have been what Claire wanted all along.

Anticipation danced across Ryan's face. His one greedy eye sparkled. "If you insist, Mr. Gibson, I won't pass up the chance!"

No strength left in her, Melinda could only watch as the disgusting man hauled her upright, while Declan swept Claire out of the room.

Numbness settled over her spirit. She cried out, "Declan! Is it really your intention to humiliate me like this? You know exactly what this man is!"

"Declan, it hurts!" Claire once again drew Declan's attention toward her.

A cold resolve hardened Declan's features. His stare lingered on Melinda's bloodless face. "You should pay for what Claire's endured these past two years."

He left with Claire in his arms, unmoved by Melinda's agony.

Unable to stop her tears, Melinda fell apart, only to be silenced when Ryan struck her and dragged her from the room.

With a lazy stretch, Henrik rose. "Poor Melinda. I've already fired you. Why didn't you leave? Declan didn't hold back, and now you're facing the consequences."