Tara’s face burned with pain.
Her ears buzzed, muffling all sound.
The metallic taste of blood spread in her mouth.
Tears streamed down her cheeks, completely beyond her control.
Nina’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction, but she quickly masked it with a worried expression, clutching Leo’s arm. “Leo, calm down! Whatever it is, we can talk about it. Don’t get physical!”
Leo’s eyes burned with fury, the anger within threatening to consume Tara whole.
Grinding his teeth, he hissed through clenched jaws, “I didn’t expect you to be this disgusting!”
Tara wiped the blood from the corner of her lips with the back of her hand. Her gaze, cold as ice, met his.
In a single motion, she stormed forward and slapped him hard across the face.
Leo’s head snapped to the side from the blow.
Nina screamed, clutching his arm. “Leo, are you okay? How could she hit you? No one’s ever dared slap you before!”
Tara’s voice was sharp and steady, cutting through the tense air. “Disgusting? You called me to Majestic Nightclub, handed me over to Wesley, and I’m the disgusting one?”
Nina’s eyes flickered with a hint of panic, but she quickly recovered. “How dare you hit Leo? Do you know how precious his face is?”
The elevator doors opened, revealing a crowd of onlookers. Their eyes sparkled with curiosity and the promise of gossip as they took in the trio, their clothes stained with red paint.
Tara stepped out first, her expression unfazed.
Leo and Nina followed, both scowling darkly.
