“Dead serious. This is your only warning, Jillian. Stay away from us.”
Jillian’s façade wavers, but she scrambles to regain her composure, stepping closer with a manipulative glint in her eye. “Adam, you’re upset. I understand. But you need someone who truly gets you. Carlie isn’t that person. She’s not good enough for you. I mean, look at her.”
“There is nothing wrong with Carlie. And for the record, she’s twice the woman you’ll ever be—” I spit out through clenched teeth.
She snickers under her breath. “Give me a break. You and I both know you need someone who hasn’t let herself go. Someone who has the body you’ve always seen yourself with.” She runs her hands down the sides of her torso, as if she’s actually suggestingshe’swhat I need.
I recoil from her advance. “No, Jillian. What I need is for you to stay out of my life.”
Her mask finally slips, revealing the anger beneath. “Fine, Adam. Have it your way,” she spits out, her voice cold. “But don’t come running back to me when you realize your mistake.”
“You’re fucking unbelievable,” I mutter.
I don’t wait for another word, turning on my heel and walking away. I can feel her gaze burning into my back, but I don’t look back.
Not this time.
I walk away from her house, the weight of the confrontation heavy on my shoulders.
In the car, I take a moment to breathe, letting the adrenaline rush subside as I take a deep breath, and try to calm the torrent of anger coursing through me.
From the corner of my eye, I see her front door shut and I slam the butt of my hand against the steering wheel.
“Fuck,” I mutter, closing my eyes and taking a few more deep breaths.
I start the car and pull away from the road.
Jillian had always been manipulative, but I never thought she’d stoop this low.
I don’t even get it.Why bother?
She has her boy toy.
Why fuck with me and Carlie?
As I drive home, I realize this is more than just a fight with an ex—it’s a battle to protect the new life I’m trying to build.
A life with Carlie.
When I pull into my driveway, the morning’s events are swirling in my mind.
It’s a clusterfuck of epic proportions.
I get out, slam my door harder than necessary, then stalk to my front door. However, when I reach it, I notice an envelope tucked under the mat. Picking it up, I recognize the insignia immediately.
Nocté.
A sense of foreboding washes over me as I tear it open.
Inside is a note, its message, succinct and unsettling.
Dear Mr. Foxx,
Thank you for your participation in Nocté’s Upper Tier. Your involvement is now concluded and access is revoked.
Into the Night,
Club Nocté
