Ryan looked at him. "Don't." Naomi saw it. That one word, too fast, too sharp. Connor saw it, too.
Ryan turned back toward Naomi. You're acting like this proves something. It does. Walter's voice cut in. It proves you were wrong about them.
Ryan shook his head. No, it proves they're trained fighters. The phrase landed badly. Naomi noticed several faces shift. There it was again.
The story trying to rebuild itself. Not women defending themselves, not harassment, not restraint, trained fighters, a threat. Naomi looked toward the people gathered in the corridor. Did anyone see me hit him? Nobody answered at first.
Then one of the catering workers shook her head. No. Did anyone see Nia keep going after Connor? Connor spoke before anyone else could. No. His voice was quiet. She stopped immediately.
Naomi nodded. That matters. Ryan scoffed. You put me on the floor. After you shoved her twice, Connor said.
Ryan turned. Whose side are you on? Connor's jaw tightened. The side of what happened? Jake looked at him.
Ryan looked at Jake, too. For the first time, the three men no longer looked like a group. They looked like separate people making separate choices. Naomi turned toward Nia. Let me see your wrist.
Nia held it out. The bruise had darkened. Naomi touched the skin gently around it. Still no numbness? No. Can you rotate it?
Nia did. Connor watched. Something in his expression broke. He had expected triumph, maybe anger. Instead, Naomi's first concern after the confrontation was whether her sister needed medical attention.
Ryan had been reduced to background noise. That seemed to bother him more than being thrown down. Footsteps approached from the ballroom. A cluster of administrators entered the service corridor, followed by Charles Whitmore. He took in the scene quickly.
Ryan's flushed face, Jake holding a phone, Connor standing apart, the twins, Walter, the crowd. What happened? Ryan answered first. They attacked us. Connor closed his eyes.
Walter looked at him. Charles turned toward Naomi. His expression was controlled. Too controlled. I was told there was an altercation.
Naomi met his gaze. There was. Charles looked at Ryan. You're hurt. I'm fine.
Then Ryan pointed at Naomi. She's trained. They both are. Charles frowned. Walter stepped forward.