The Husband They Threw Away Runs This Town Now

CHAPTER 6 — Night of the Predators

The Horizon Lounge took up the entire 47th floor. Floor-to-ceiling windows looked out over Manhattan, and the lighting was low enough to make everyone look better than they deserved. Vanessa’s divorce party was already in full swing by the time Erick arrived.

He spotted Dominique near the bar, laughing at something Martin Clarke had said. She had one hand resting lightly on his arm. They looked comfortable together. Natural.

Erick loosened his tie a fraction and moved further into the room.

Vanessa spotted him first. Her red dress caught the light as she waved him over, a little too enthusiastically.

“Erick! You actually came.” She leaned in and kissed his cheek, leaving a trace of perfume and wine. “Dominique said you might skip it. Still sulking about that video?”

“I’m here,” he said simply.

She patted his chest, letting her hand linger. “You clean up well. It’s almost unfair that Domi keeps you hidden away.” Her voice dropped playfully. “If I were her, I wouldn’t make that mistake.”

Erick gave a small, polite smile and stepped back.

His gaze drifted across the room and landed on a girl sitting alone on one of the velvet sofas. She looked young — too young for this crowd. Maybe nineteen. Long blonde hair, short black dress, heels she clearly wasn’t used to wearing. She kept glancing toward Michel like she was waiting for instructions.

Erick’s jaw tightened slightly.

Michel appeared beside him holding two glasses. “Here. Don’t stand around looking like you wandered into the wrong party.”

Erick took the glass but didn’t drink.

“Thanks,” he said.

Michel smirked. “Loosen up. You’re lucky to even be invited.”

Across the room, Martin was whispering something to Dominique. She laughed again, softer this time. Erick watched them for a moment, then looked away.

Remi arrived a few minutes later, still in her work clothes, looking like she wanted to be anywhere else. She made her way straight to him.

“You shouldn’t be here,” she said under her breath.

“Dominique asked me to come.”

Remi glanced around nervously. “This whole thing feels off. Vanessa, Martin… they’ve been acting strange all week. I think they’re planning something.”

Erick nodded once. “I know.”

“Then why are you—”

“Because I’m tired of avoiding it.”

A woman with striking red hair approached them — Anya Volkov. Erick remembered her from the wedding. Dominique had never liked her.

“Erick,” Anya said, smiling as she tilted her head. “I’ve heard stories about you.”

“Most of them are probably true,” he replied dryly.

She laughed and moved closer. Her perfume was strong. “We should play a game. Something to liven things up. Truth or drink?”

Vanessa appeared at her side, grinning. “Oh, I like this idea.”

Several phones were already out. Michel had his camera angled casually in their direction.

Remi stepped forward. “This isn’t funny.”

“It’s just a game,” Anya said lightly. “What’s the harm?”

Erick looked at Dominique across the room. She was watching him now, her expression unreadable.

He picked up the glass Michel had given him earlier.

“Fine,” he said. “Let’s play.”

Vanessa took the glass from Erick’s hand with a playful smile. She took a small sip, then leaned in close. Before he could react, she kissed him.

A phone flashed nearby.

Erick let it happen for a second, then gently pulled back. Vanessa’s expression changed almost immediately. Her smile faltered. She blinked hard, as if the room had tilted.

“Whoa…” she muttered, grabbing the edge of the bar to steady herself.

Martin stood up straighter. Dominique frowned.

Vanessa laughed nervously, but her knees were already buckling. “What the hell was in that…?”

Anya moved first, trying to catch her. Several people rushed over. Michel lowered his phone, looking confused.

Erick calmly took a napkin and wiped his mouth. He looked across at Martin.

“You spiked it,” he said quietly.

Martin’s face hardened. “Watch your mouth.”

Erick didn’t raise his voice. “You wanted pictures. Or worse.”

The mood in their little group shifted. The laughter around them died down as people started paying attention.

Dominique stepped forward. “Erick, that’s enough.”

He turned to look at her. “You knew?”

She hesitated for half a second — just long enough. “I thought they were going to play a stupid prank. I didn’t think they’d actually…”

She trailed off.

Erick nodded slowly. “Right.”