My pulse spikes, but I keep my expression easy. Casual. Like this doesn’t feel like walking into a memory I barely escaped.
“Xavier,” I reply lightly. “Didn’t expect to see you anywhere that sells popcorn.”
He chuckles, stepping closer.
His arm slides around my shoulders before I can react, pulling me into his side like we belong that way. My body goes rigid for half a second before I force myself to relax. Don’t escalate.
A memory of a punch to my face singes my skin.
“I hear you’ve upgraded,” he murmurs, breath warm against my temple. “Living with Romano now?”
My jaw tightens.
“Rumors travel fast,” I say.
“Oh, baby.” His grip tightens just slightly. “They’re not rumors. Everyone knows you’re the Devil’s new favorite toy.”
I laugh.
It sounds wrong in my own ears, but I make it convincing. I’ve always been good at that.
“You always did love gossip,” I say.
His hand shifts lower on my arm. That’s when I see it. The shape beneath the fabric. The unmistakable outline pressed against his hip. Gun.
My heart stutters once, hard.
I don’t react. Not outwardly.
“I just hope he’s treating you well,” Xavier continues, voice syrupy sweet. “Would hate for you to be stuck somewhere you don’t belong.”
“I’m exactly where I want to be,” I reply evenly.
He tilts his head, studying me. “Are you?”
My mind races. Johnny is down the hall. Too far to hear us. If this turns loud, it turns messy.
So I smile.
“You always did underestimate me,” I say softly.
His grip shifts, fingers tightening at my shoulder. Not violent. Not yet.
“I could get you out,” he says. “If you wanted. You don’t have to play house with a man like that. Could always come home with me.”
There it is. The offer wrapped in condescension. Something sharp flares in my chest—not fear. Not quite. Anger.
“You don’t know anything about him,” I say quietly.
“I know enough.” His arm tightens again, possessive.
I step back abruptly, shoving his arm off my shoulders.
“Forget me, Xavier,” I say, voice flat now. No performance. No laughter. “Whatever you think you’re offering? I’m not interested.”
His eyes darken. For half a second, I wonder if I’ve pushed too far.
Then he smiles again, smooth as ever. “Careful, Elias. Men like him don’t keep things they can’t control.”
