Stars Waited Above Empty Streets by Lorin Wren 121

Chapter 121 Looming 

69 

Finished 

That domineering posture made Ava’s skin crawl. It felt like standing in front of something feral that could snap her in half if it wanted to. 

“I’m 

your match. I really shouldn’t have to keep saying that, should I?” Laurent leaned in, one hand casually resting on the back of her chair. His stare didn’t move. “I thought we both understood that already.” 

He moved closer. Ava gripped the hem of her skirt, turned her head fast, and tried to keep her breathing steady. “Can you not stand so close?” Her voice trembled. “I don’t like it.” 

Laurent didn’t blink. “Is it the closeness you hate, or is it me?” 

That question hit hard. Among all her matches, he was clearly the most aggressive. Maybe it came from his job. Or maybe charging headfirst into battle made him this way. Whatever the reason, the man didn’t believe in subtlety. 

Ava exhaled a shallow breath. Panic flickered in her eyes. “You’re making me nervous.” 

Her wide eyes shimmered with fear, like a deer frozen in headlights. Laurent’s jaw tightened. His voice dropped. “Why would you be scared of me? I’d never hurt you.” 

Ava felt tears sting the back of her eyes. Someone had better show up and save her soon. 

She kept her focus on the roses nearby, avoiding his gaze like it burned. 

Right when the tension hit its boiling point, a sharp knock rattled the door. Ava jolted to her feet. She moved so fast that her forehead smacked into Laurent’s mouth. 

She clutched her head with a grimace. She might’ve hit his chin instead, but either way, it hurt. She scrambled toward the door and checked the monitor. Ryan was there. 

Ava darted back and leaned into Laurent. “Someone’s here. Can you hide?” 

Laurent didn’t speak. He stared at her, then sighed and followed her without complaint. 

the 

She rushed him to the bedroom. The bathroom was a no. Closet was worse. Her eyes scanned 

space until they landed on something. She flung the curtains open in a hurry. “Could you hide behind here? Please, just do this for me.” 

Laurent looked at the corner as if it offended him. But her face was already flushed and frantic, so he gave in without a word. He stepped into the corner and let her pull the curtain across. 

Ava dragged herself back to the door with a miserable look. She scrubbed her face with both hands, forced a crooked smile, and opened it. 

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13:12 Wed, Jan 14 

Chapter 121 Looming 

69 

Finished 

Ryan stood there, clearly unsure of himself. “Ava…” 

“Come in.” 

He gave a soft “yeah” and walked inside. Ryan always looked relaxed on the outside, all laid- back charm. But this was the first time he’d been in a girl’s bedroom–his wife’s, no less. 

The reality of it hit him square. His cheeks warmed. He rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m not interrupting anything, am I?” 

Ava shook her head. “Sit down. Want something to drink?” 

“I’m good. Not thirsty.” Ryan sat, but his body was tense. The air in the room felt tight, way more than it had that morning. It messed with his ease. 

Ava’s mind buzzed like static. Everything felt like a tightrope she was barely balancing on. How did things spiral to this point? 

“Ava, we’ve got a show coming up soon. Would you come?” Ryan’s eyes lit up. “I you to be there.” 

“When is it?” 

“In about a month. I’ll make sure you get front row.” 

mean, I want 

Before the last word left his mouth, something clattered to the floor inside the room. It hit hard. Ryan immediately stood. “What was that?” 

Ava’s scalp went cold. She saw him move and jumped in fast. “It’s nothing. Just the cat. Probably knocked something over.” 

“There’s a cat here?” Ryan raised an eyebrow. “I’ll go grab it.” 

Ava’s heart nearly stopped. She lunged and gripped his arm tight. “No! It’s skittish. It hates strangers. You’ll freak it out.” 

Inside the closet, Keith–currently cast as the “skittish cat“-pressed his tongue against his back teeth, his face blank. A cat? A skittish one? 

Keith’s jaw clenched. He reached down and picked up the box that had fallen. 

Ryan noticed Ava was still holding his arm. That hand, small and tense, changed everything. His ears flushed red. His pulse roared in his chest. 

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13:12 Wed, Jan 14 

The Five Powerhouses Who Match the Unwilling Bride