Page 29 of The Jaded Notes

If I want my life back, my soul back… If I ever wanna stand in front of Livianna again and not see anguish in her eyes because I keep fucking hurting her, I have to end this.

My insides ignite with war.

Him.

Me.

All of it.

No more letting him win. I will find a way out of this torturous situation, and he will pay.

I rise to my feet, pulse pounding, fury finally forming into something sharper than torture.

Not just revenge.

It’s my fucking reckoning.

Chapter Seven

JAXON/JAX

Then

The Edge Of Her Silence

Some truths don’t need to be spoken…they bleed to be seen.

“What can I do for you, Mr. Crowne?” My assistant Natalie’s voice floats through the line.

“Livianna Hemings will be here soon to interview for a spot in The Vault mentorship program.”

I gaze around my office from my monolithic black desk and stare out the floor-to-ceiling windows with remote blackout glass. “Please stick around while she’s here. I might need you for something.”

“Of course, but can I ask if there’s anything I should prepare for?”

“No need. You’re already privy to all the details.”

She sighs. “I wonder if I’ll ever get used to you and your mysterious way of working.”

“I need to keep you on your toes. Otherwise, your defenses will go down. I can’t have that.”

“There’s no need to worry. There are plenty of movingparts that—” Her voice grows more professional. “Good afternoon. You must be Livianna Hemings. Mr. Crowne is expecting you.”

Livianna’s response filters in. “Yes, I’m Livianna.”

“Mr. Crowne, your appointment is here. I’ll get her into the system and we’ll be up in about ten minutes.” Natalie shifts something over the receiver. “Is there anything I can bring you when we come up?”

I notice the racing of my heart. “Yes, some lemon balm tea would be great. Ask Miss Hemings if she would like some as well.”

“Yes, sir. We’ll see you in a bit.”

“Thank you.”

“My pleasure.” Natalie hangs up.

I stand and stride to the window. The Eiffel Tower looms in the distance. Dusk is falling. The Paris lights shimmer, whispering beautiful stories of partners meeting in the city of love.

After bolting out of Livianna’s apartment—after one glass of wine two weeks ago—I haven’t stopped thinking about her.