And then—suddenly—
Someone grabbed his collar and yanked him backward.
Gavin spun around, startled, only to find James standing inches away, fury radiating off him.
“You got here faster than I thought,” Gavin said, letting out a short, humorless laugh.
“What the fuck, Gavin?” James snapped. His voice was low, furious, barely restrained. His eyes burned as they locked onto him. “What are you doing with Mia? Can you stay the fuck away from my wife already?”
“Don’t get it twisted,” Gavin replied calmly, lifting his hands in surrender. “I ran into her. We talked. Had a little fun. Relax.” He shrugged. “And what do you even care? Aren’t you two divorced already?”
James stepped closer, his anger flaring hotter with every word. “It has nothing to do with you,” he growled. “It’s between her and me. Why the fuck are you interfering?”
“I’m not interfering with anyone,” Gavin said coolly, looking him up and down with open irritation. “What is it with you and your control issues?” His voice dropped, sharp and deliberate. “You’re not together anymore. And since you clearly don’t care about her… let me have her.”
Something in James snapped.
His expression darkened instantly, rage blazing in his eyes. “You—” he growled, then sneered. “Why don’t you just go home? Stop pretending you care. All you want is sex.”
Gavin stared at him in pure disbelief. “Are you out of your fucking mind?” he shot back. “When have I ever been so desperate for sex that I’d waste my time winning a woman over for it?”
“Shut up and get lost,” James barked, shoving Gavin hard in the shoulder and forcing him back toward the bar’s exit. “Go.”
Gavin stumbled a step, then straightened, irritation flashing across his face. “Fine. I’m leaving—for now,” he said sharply. “Take care of her. She’s in the washroom.”
He shot James one last displeased look before turning and walking out.
James dragged in a sharp breath, frustration burning through him as he paced outside the washroom. Back and forth. Back and forth. Each step felt heavier than the last.
Then—
Click.
The lock turned.
Mia stepped out, head lowered, eyes unfocused. She didn’t notice him at first as she moved toward the table—
And froze.
James stood directly in her path.
She startled, instinctively stepping back. His gaze dropped to her face, dark and sharp, unblinking as it took in her flushed cheeks and damp lashes.
“What are you doing here?” she demanded, her voice edged with suspicion. “Did you follow me?”
James dragged a hand through his hair, jaw tightening. Without answering, he pulled out his phone, unlocked it, swiped once—and thrust the screen toward her.
On it was a photo.
Her and Gavin. Sitting across from each other, drinks on the table between them.
“This,” James said tightly, eyes blazing as he stared her down, “is what you’ve been doing after leaving my house?”
Mia glanced at the screen. There was nothing inappropriate about it—just two people seated at a table. Still, her head throbbed as she lifted her gaze back to him, irritation simmering beneath the lingering haze of alcohol.
Without saying another word, she stepped past him.
“It’s none of your business,” she said flatly. “This is my life. I can do whatever I want.”
