From Divorce To Dominance (Natalie Xavier)

Chapter 5 Hit Him

Darren thrust her away, his face a mask of frost as he bit out, "Natalie, don't test me!"

Natalie blinked innocently. "Mr. Luther, playing hard to get much? We ended on a clean slate, like strangers. I'm just returning the favor." She tilted her head, mischief dancing in her eyes, a teasing grin making her all the more captivating. Darren's expression clouded. His throat constricted, his temper souring. "If you're so well-behaved, why haven't you left Greton?"

Natalie tugged at her hand, still clamped in his grip. "I left, but now I'm back. Shocked? Didn't anticipate that, huh?"

"Natalie!" Darren barked. In the past, she'd follow his lead, never meeting his gaze so defiantly.

His hold tightened in frustration. "Don't push me! Whatever brought you back to Greton, you need to head back to that mountain right now. Or I'll make sure you can't stick around. You've got twenty-four hours. Don't be within my sight tomorrow!" Natalie clicked her tongue, her eyes icy. "What if I refuse to leave?"

Darren regarded her with disdain, a smirk of cold sarcasm on his lips.

"What? Did I give you 30 million dollars and now you think you can challenge me? Natalie, in this town, I can make or break you. Remember, you can't outplay me!" He gritted his teeth.

"Let's see who plays their cards right," she retorted, tucking a loose strand behind her ear, her voice steady and confident. "Mr. Luther, don't get ahead of yourself."

Darren forced a laugh through his fury. "Fine, but don't come crying to me later!" He released her and stormed off, not looking back.

Vivian's skin was already marring from their brief tussle. She rubbed her wrist, frustration surging, then spotted him walking away. "Stop!" she called. "Wait!"

Darren slowed his pace, not stopping. He figured she was second-guessing her boldness. After all, she knew his clout; she must be wanting to apologize, to beg for leniency.

He wore a calm smile, relishing the control, the panic in her voice as she pleaded, feeling more at ease.

her high heels echoed, growing

and pointy had nailed him, a jolt

the back of his head. His eyes bulged when he saw Natalie nonchalantly pulling her

black, studded-and his head

her tone light. "Truth? That 1 million dollar

"What kind of madness

shot back, "I told you to stop. Didn't you hear me?

hitting me with your

with a smirk. "So listen up when

me like that?" he demanded, disbelief and anger mingling on his

her bag with an elegant flair, towering over him in her heels, eyes locked. "I've got a

in Greton for a show. I couldn't care less about your wedding plans. Marry a dog, for all I care. Just give me

but Natalie was oblivious

thing for you, but that's ancient history. Face it and quit kidding

Darren said nothing.

from now on, it's

rage he'd never known in his

a slender finger on her lips, shaking

glare could have cut glass. With a sarcastic grin, he said, "Alright, Ms. Xavier, you've pushed me too far. You'll regret this." With that, he turned and strode off, anger rolling off him

drama behind her, she slipped into the venue just in time. The red carpet video of her

"Let's seize the moment!" he shouted from backstage. "We're going live while

the Sweet