Page 32 of Jax

With a deep breath, I tell Leenie I need to use the bathroom and go off in search of Psycho’s lackey. I find him on the edge of the dance floor where there are already people moving to the heavy beat of the music. I move in front of him, and he grins. He holds his hand out like he wants to dance, and I roll my eyes. “Just tell me what you’re reporting back to Psycho.”

Tiron takes my hand anyway, dragging me to the center of the floor. “This will look less conspicuous.”

“I’m sure Jax will love it,” I deadpan. “Isn’t the goal to get into his bed so he can trust me? Not sure this will help.”

Tiron chuckles. “I saw the way he looked at me just before he practically knocked that guy’s head off.” He shifts closer, dropping his lips to my ear again. “You’re already fucking him, aren’t you, Sade?”

“It’s complicated,” I divulge, putting space between us. Wearefucking but it’s not in a way that either of us likes. Jax can pretend all he wants that he’s punishing me but what he’s really doing is punishing himself. He’s making himself into a guy he doesn’t want to be.

Tiron’s hands find my ass and move me forward as we sway to the music. I place my hands on his shoulders for show but anyone really looking would see that I’m not into it. He leans over. “Psycho wants me to remind you that he has eyes everywhere.”

“I know,” I all but growl.

“He wants me to do something so you remember him.” Tiron grinds his cock against my front. With the loud music, I can barely hear him but in another way, he’s so loud. What he’s insinuating is obvious. “We both know he hasn’t done it for you for a while. He’s holding onto something that’s already slipped through his fingers.” Tiron either has a death wish, or Psycho really did put him up to this. “In fact...” He pauses as he moves one hand to the front of my hip, the pad of his finger sneaking toward the apex of my thighs. “I have a sneaking suspicion I’m the one who made you come the other day. He suspects it too, you know.” He flicks his finger across the seam of my pants. “I can do it again.”

I push him off me, and he stumbles backward into a dancing couple. “Fuck off, Tiron.”

A shocked expression flits over his face like he can’t believe I’ve dismissed him but then he looks past my shoulder and grins. He stalks toward me, sharp cheekbones prominent. He spins me in his arms until he’s grinding against my ass. I feel how hard he is but that’s not what has my attention. A few feet from me, Jax dances with another girl. He holds her hand over his chest as they move together seductively.

“I guess Psycho was right,” Tiron says. “You do need some help in getting his attention.”

“I’m fine,” I growl back.

“So, you’re just going to let him get nice and cozy with another girl?”

Jax flicks his gaze toward me. I don’t know what he sees but his gaze hardens and he lowers his lips to the beautiful girl in his arms and kisses her like a man starved.

My heart shatters as I watch the only man I’ve ever cared for hold someone else the way he used to hold me, complete with her hand on his chest.

I push Tiron away, and he grabs me back.

“Hey,” a deep voice cuts in. I recognize it as Finn’s, and Tiron lets me go in a heartbeat, pulling his hands up like he wasn’t doing anything at all.

Finn peers between the two of us and then at his brother who’s looking over at the commotion. At least Finn’s outburst has made them stop kissing.

“You okay?” Finn asks.

Tiron’s already making his way through the crowd, no doubt happy he believes he’s somehow accomplished what he’s come here to do.

“Just peachy,” I say, my voice thick with emotion.

I go to walk toward Jax but Finn holds me back. “Don’t hurt him. I mean it.”

I grind my teeth together as I squirm free. Who’s warning him not to hurt me?

No one. That’s who.

15

The house music reverberates through me. The bass is like a fist beating against my ribcage, egging me on. I stride right up to Jax and the girl, Jax eyeing me the entire time like he knew what I would do. Maybe he did. Maybe he’s watching and waiting for what idiot shit I might do next. I don’t know. What I do know is that I’m not going to let him use another girl to get to me. He can hate me or not but just not this.

When I step up to the two of them, I eye her like she’s shit. Like she means nothing in the grand scheme of things. It’s akin to a look I’ve been given a million times before from various people, and I hate myself for doing it but this is Jax we’re talking about here. “Fuck off,” I growl at her.

She stares me up and down then peeks at Jax who’s apparently happy to sit back and watch the show. “Are you with her?”

He shakes his head, and my heart pings but it only strengthens my resolve.

“Then I thinkyoushould fuck off,” she says sweetly.

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