Zane exhaled a slow, deliberate stream of smoke, then dropped the cigarette butt and ground it under his heel. When he looked up at Hugo again, his eyes were hollow, devoid of life. Hugo's lips moved, but no sound came out. What was there to say? "Let's go back—" Hugo began. He never finished the sentence. A fist exploded against his jaw. Hugo stumbled back several steps, his mouth throbbing. He wiped the back of his hand across his lips; it came away smeared with shocking red. Zane's eyes were bloodshot, burning with a fury that fixed on Hugo like he was prey. "Why aren't you fighting back?" he snarled. Hugo gave a low, pained laugh. "I owe you. Consider this payment in full."The words were gasoline on the fire. Another savage blow landed, splitting the skin on Hugo's cheekbone. A beast unleashed, Zane lunged forward, grabbing fistfuls of Hugo's shirt and driving two more brutal punches into his torso. Zane roared, his voice ragged, "That girlfriend you never introduced—is it Darcy? Answer me! Is it?!" Tonight, Ines had thrown Zane a bachelor party, inviting their tightest circle. For Zane, that circle was essentially Ines and Hugo. Hearing Hugo was back in town had made him happy, thinking his friend had rushed back for the party and his upcoming engagement. But after the initial greetings, Hugo had vanished. The private room was thick with smoke and loud, empty chatter. Bored, Zane had slipped out for a cigarette. He never expected to see Darcy and her mother.In that instant, his gaze locked on Darcy's silhouette and wouldn't let go. And then he'd seen who was standing beside her. His mind had gone blank with a roaring white noise. He stared, stunned. It took several stunned seconds to reboot. He'd watched Hugo fawning over Ione, watched his every attentive move toward Darcy. In a sickening flash, the pieces clicked into place. The one Hugo liked and had chased in vain—was Darcy. Great. Just great, Hugo. I thought you were my best friend. And all this time, you were lusting after my woman? Rage burned in Zane's eyes. He hauled Hugo up by his collar again. "When did it start? When the hell did you start thinking about her that way? Don't tell me it was before we broke up!"Hugo's lip curled. "Three hits. Debt paid. And what gives you the right to interrogate me now?" Zane faltered. "I—" Thwack! This time, Zane's head snapped to the side from the force of Hugo's punch. He glared at Hugo, wild. Hugo flexed his right hand, a cold smile on his face. "That one was for Darcy. Seven years of her heart, ground under your heel. She deserved better." Thwack! Another punch landed. "And that one," Hugo continued, his voice like ice, "is for Zora. She's over the moon to marry you, and you're still hung up on your ex. Zane, you're playing two women, betraying them both." He drew his arm back for a third blow, but Ines, who'd finally caught up, grabbed his wrist."Whoa! What the hell is going on?!" Ines yelled, taking in their battered faces. "Have you both lost your minds?! Why are you tearing each other apart?" Neither man spoke. The hatred in their eyes was palpable. Ines' heart sank. So Zane knows... Sure enough, Zane's voice, raw and broken, cut through the night. "You didn't answer me. When did it start?" Hugo wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. "I'm not the bastard you think I am." The words were an indirect admission—his feelings for Darcy hadn't begun until after the breakup. Ines breathed a sigh of relief. Okay. Okay. It was after. He moved to steer Hugo toward a car. Putting distance between them was priority one. Then Hugo spoke again, his gaze locked defiantly on Zane. "What's the point of asking now? You're getting engaged to Zora the day after tomorrow. What, thinking of backing out and chasing your ex?" Zane just stared at him, cold and silent. Hugo scoffed, "You won't. For you, ambition always comes first. Both Darcy and Zora are just stepping stones. Zane, you're a selfish, heartless bastard." With that, he shrugged off Ines' hand, straightened his rumpled jacket, and walked to his car without a backward glance. Ines clutched his hair, swore, then calmed down and moved to help Zane. He kept his voice soft. "Wanna head upstairs?" "No." Zane's voice was flat. His face was already bruising. He shook a cigarette loose from the pack. "I want to be alone."