When Jax flipped the lock, I stepped backward, creating as much space between us as I could.
“Aw. Come on, Avery. Don’t be scared. There used to be a time when you fell to your knees for me when I snapped my fingers. Plus, my dad would never go for a dirty little thing like you. A girl who came fromnothing. He has more money than he knows what to do with. You’re just the gum on his shoe; a young girl with perky tits for him to fuck and throw away when he’s done with you.”
I swallowed.
His eyes turned dark like fresh tar. My heart pounded, echoing like the bass in a nightclub.
I refused to let him sense my panic. I wouldn’t let him hear the fear in my voice when I finally mustered up all the strength I could to respond.
“What a shame that your daddy’s genetics didn’t pass down as one would hope.” I looked him up and down with disgust. “Tell me, have you been following me? Are you lying through your teeth and still so obsessed with me that you had a tracker on me? What is it?”
Jax moved in closer. The smell of him that once felt like home burned my lungs. His presence I once wanted to be around every minute of the day growing up only turned into something I despised.
“You really want to know?” His steps crept closer. Too close for comfort.
I nodded slowly.
He chuckled before answering.
“About a month ago, I was at the Cosmo, gambling with some friends. I went to the bar to grab a round of drinks, only to find out that the bar was closed for a private event. Sure enough, I saw you walking up—meeting mydadin an empty bar. Helooked at you like any man in his forties would. Like he couldn’t wait to take you home and use you until he was finished.”
Startling me, Jax reached out, grabbing my hip, and pushed my back flat against the wall.
I sucked in a breath, clenching my teeth, along with my fists at my sides.
As he recounted that night—the only night that Spencer paid for my company—my fingernails dug into the palm of my hand so hard I wouldn’t be surprised if I drew blood.
On a night that I loosened up and allowed myself to enjoy—a night I told myself I never deserved the kind of happiness that he was offering, I was being watched the whole damn time.
“I watched you two from the table I was at all night. You left for dinner. I drank at that bar until you finished eating. Then I watched him bring you up to his penthouse. I can only imagine what a nasty slut like yourself did to him. But I’m sure it was worth every penny he gave you to pay me off.”
It wasn’t in my head that night. When we left the bar, I felt a pair of eyes on me that felt every bit evil. And that familiar scent that I spent years around wafted past me. He’d been lurking the entire time, waiting for his moment to strike.
Jax had no idea whatreallyhappened between me and Spencer or how it unfolded between us. All he’d done was create his own assumptions. And unfortunately, since that night, he’d been several steps ahead of me.
If I wanted to get out of this bathroom, I needed to take a page from his book. Make a calculated move of my own. The thought of doing what I needed to do in order to get out of this situation made me sick to my stomach.
But I didn’t see another way out.
I needed to think of it like any other night on the job. I would act my way out of this one. Put on the same mask I’d been used to wearing for years and block it all out.
“You sound like a jealous ex-boyfriend, Jax.” I unclenched my fists and crossed my arms so my breasts were pressed up.
“Jealous? Yeah, fucking right, Avery. You can have anyone you want, but it won’t be my dad.” He took the bait and looked down my shirt.
“Aw. But Daddy fucks me so good. He’s just doing what you never could.” I pouted, licking my lips.
His hand tightened around my waist. The feeling of him was familiar, but every bit wrong. He wasn’t Spencer. He could never be half the man his dad was.
“Sounds like you want me to show you what a little slut I am. Give you a little taste of what you’ve been missing out on for the last few years.”
He trailed his finger along the top of one of my breasts, and for just a fleeting moment, I closed my eyes. Where I wanted to clench my eyes shut and magically transport myself into another time and place, it wasn’t possible.
Stay in character, Avery. You got this.
Opening my eyes, I pinched my bottom lip with my teeth, nodding and giving him permission. Although, here in this moment, he’d be sorry he even tried.
Take control, Avery. It’s the only way.
