Chapter 83: It Hurts, You Hurt Me

North splashed cold water on her face in the bathroom, then walked out. As she traversed the hallway, she saw a wealthy young man leaning against the wall. He stared at her with undisguised lust. North, only eighteen when she’d left, had blossomed in the intervening two years. Her expressive eyes and full lips held a captivating allure.

He focused on her figure: creamy skin, a beautifully fitted burgundy retro court dress, and brown curls cascading across her shoulders.

“North, you’ve become a huge star. We only see you on TV now. Since I’ve met you, let me buy you a drink,” he said with a lewd laugh.

North stopped. “Many men have offered me drinks, which I’ve refused. What makes you special?” she asked, her eyes unwavering.

His face hardened. “North, have you no shame? You’re just an actress; you only drink with those who pay well.”

North pursed her lips. “Since you know I have a price, find out what it is. If you want to buy me a drink, see if you can afford it first.”

Humiliated, he saw a change in her. Once docile and sweet, North was now cold, arrogant, yet undeniably captivating.

“North, you’re an adopted daughter of the Dominos. Raven protects you. What will happen if he abandons you? With your looks, you’ll become a man’s plaything,” he spat angrily.

“How I maintain Raven’s affection is my business. As a man, you should focus on surpassing Raven to become my sponsor; then I might consider you,” she retorted.

He hadn’t expected her sharp wit. Having already mentally undressed her, he couldn’t back down. He lunged forward, reaching for her. “North, today I want to experience the ecstasy of L.A.’s number one beauty.”

“You dare touch her? Touch her and see!” A cold voice cut through the air.

His hands froze. He looked up to see Raven, silhouetted in the dim light, clad in a black coat.

The man’s scalp tingled. He quickly withdrew his hand. “Young Master Raven, you misunderstood. I only wanted to shake her hand.”

Raven moved to North’s side. Casually, he said, “Which hand? Let me see.”

The man paled. Compared to the enigmatic Elvis Augustine, Raven, the visible lord of L.A., was far more intimidating.

“You two sort it out. I’m leaving,” North declared, uninterested in the drama.

Raven watched her go, then turned back to the man. “My eyes are on you,” he said calmly.

The man, trembling, nodded.

As North turned, a large hand seized her wrist. “North.”

She looked up at Raven. He saw the smirk on her lips and reprimanded her softly, “You’re not allowed to be in places like this. Come with me.”

“Why? I’m an adult! Pamela’s here too, why don’t you care?”

“You’re not like her. You’re too…ostentatious,” Raven interrupted coldly.

North lowered her lashes. “Oh. I’ll take that as a compliment. Thank you. Can you let me go now?”

Raven’s gaze lingered on her dress, then on her legs. North caught his stare, realizing it mirrored the man’s earlier gaze. She forcefully pulled away. “Don’t look at me like that.”

Raven smiled. “Then don’t wear things like this. It’s not your fault you’re ostentatious, but wearing this makes it seem deliberate.”

“A prostitute only sees prostitution,” North shot back. “If I hadn’t rushed over, what were you going to do?”

“Of course you were bound to rush over.” North turned to leave, but Raven’s fingers clamped onto her shoulder, pinning her against the wall. Her delicate back hit the hard surface, causing her pain. She looked at him with alluring eyes.

Raven remembered her eighteenth birthday, her soft body nestled in his arms, her tear-filled eyes expressing her hurt. He swallowed, his own eyes filled with admiration. North frowned.

“North,” he said, “don’t rely on me to always protect you. You can’t always do as you please.”

“I will rely on you to care for and protect me,” she replied.