Begin Again novel Chapter 117

White-hot relief surged through Eden's body at the sound of Liam's voice.

"Anderson!" Aleksei turned to Liam and held out his hand for a handshake.

Liam ignored it and clenched his jaw. "Ivanov."

"Fancy seeing you here," Aleksei carried on, sizing Liam up.

"Not sure why you seem surprised," Liam drawled softly, but his face hardened, and his eyes stayed on Eden. "Didn't you pick the venue for this month's game?"

"Well, you know what I mean," Aleksei shrugged.

"No, I don't," Liam said, finally peeling his gaze from her. "What are you doing up here anyway? I thought the game is in the basement?"

Eden's head shot up at his words, and she stared at the two men, amazed by this new piece of information. She didn't even know Crush has a basement.

What else went on down there besides round-robin poker tournaments for billionaires?

She was suddenly curious about Liam's extracurricular activities.

"I saw something I like, and I had to check it out," Aleksei announced, winking at her.

A low growl rumbled from deep within Liam's chest and his scowl hardened. "Move along, Ivanov. There's nothing for you here."

"Oh, but there is."

"Don't make me repeat myself," Liam warned him softly.

"Why don't we ask the little lady what she wants?"

Eden wanted no part of this pissing contest. But the man's condescending tone rubbed her all kinds of the wrong way. She couldn't sit still.

"I don't know what century you're from, Mr Ivanov," she said with a calmness she didn't feel, her voice steadier than her insides shaking from her anger. "But in this century, you don't call a grown woman' little lady'. And I'd like to be left alone."

"I'm sorry I offended you," Aleksei bowed his head shamefully. "It wasn't my intention."

Eden dismissed his apology with a careless shrug. "I'm sure your game is about to start. You both should head down."

"Go ahead," Liam jerked his head at the other man. "I'll come down soon. I need to talk to my assistant."

"Whatever floats your boat, Anderson." Aleksei smiled and winked at Eden one last time before he vanished from the booth.

"Are you okay?" Liam asked when they were alone. "Did he do anything to you?"

"I'm fine, thank you, Mr Anderson," she nodded quickly.

"Where are the others?" He demanded, his tone suddenly harsh. "Why are you alone?"

"I—I don't know—" She stammered, stunned by the anger in his voice.

"And why the hell would you even entertain Ivanov? Don't you know who he is? Don't you know how dangerous he is?" Liam lost his shit all over her.

But Eden wouldn't sit back and take it. She dished some of her own, her sharp tone matching his. "Well, I'm not the one playing poker with him now, am I?"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You know he's dangerous, yet here you are. If anyone is in any danger, it's you!"

"I can take care of myself!"

"And I can't?" Eden asked.

"You damn well can't. Eden, these guys don't fuck around. I've got too much shit on my plate right now; the last thing I need is to worry about your safety, too!" He roared at her.

"I'm not your concern, Mr Anderson. There's no need for you to worry about me!" She snapped back at him, unable to believe the sexist nonsense coming out of his mouth. She was so furious her whole body was shaking. But more than anything, she was deeply disappointed at his assumption that just because she's a woman, she can't take care of herself and needs a man's—his— protection.