The smell hits me first.
Tobacco and cheap aftershave.
Then comes the fury.
I take a step back, tension snapping through me like a live wire, only to find myself face-to-face with the last person I want to see.Fucking Jett.And of course, his entire goddamn entourage is standing right behind him like a pack of smug, leather-wrapped hyenas.
Typical.
I suck in a deep breath through my nose, trying to hold onto some shred of composure. There’s no way I can afford to throw down right now, especially not with four witnesses.
He planned this.
The calculating bastard.
“Jett,” I grit out, voice low and full of warning as I attempt to brush past him.
“Mercury…” he purrs, like he’s savoring the word. Then he smirks. “Did Effa happen to mention our little rendezvous today?”
I stop cold.
My jaw tightens, teeth grinding so hard it’s a miracle they don’t shatter. I want to punch him so bad my fists twitch with restraint. But I won’t. Not yet. Instead, I turn, plastering on a smile that feels more like a sneer.
“Yeah, she said something about seeing you, and how pathetic you’ve become.”
His grin wavers, only for a second, but I clock it. Then his gaze darkens, like storm clouds rolling in fast. This guy’s a grade-A, toxic-waste-level asshole—a manipulative, egotistical, narcissistic prick.
“Don’t worry, Mercury,” he drawls, stepping forward. “She won’t be able to resist me. I won’t even need to make a move… she’ll come crawling back all on her own. Effa’s like a moth to my flame. And I can’t wait to watch your face when she leaves you in her dust.”
I shake my head slowly, my voice dripping with disdain. “You’re delusional. She’s not falling for your bullshit again, Jett. She sees through you now.”
He shrugs, his lips twisting in a smug, little smile. “It’s inevitable. You’ll screw it up because you’re too intense, too protective, too possessive, and she’ll run straight back to me.” Then he leans in, and I swear I hear the sound of my own self-control cracking. “And when she does,” he whispers, his breath hot and vile. “I’m going to enjoy tasting her cupcake frosting again. Mmm… delicious.”
That’s it.
My fists clench like they’ve got a mind of their own, and before I can think, I lunge. But his guys are ready for it, two on each arm, and I’m slammed back into the wall like a wild animal being caged. They hold me down, grinning as if they’ve already won. I breathe heavy through my nose, my chest heaving with suppressed rage, my nostrils flaring with every inhale.
Jett steps up, face way too close, basking in the moment like the smug fuck he is.
“You swing again, Mercury,” he murmurs, his voice low and cold. “And I’ll have your job. Then who’s gonna protect my sweet little cupcake, huh?”
Then the final insult…
He leans in and presses his lips to my forehead.
The scratch of his beard against my skin churns my stomach.
I jerk my head to the side, shoving him off with every ounce of disgust I can channel. He laughs and strolls off casually, fully aware I can’t touch him. His bandmates release me one by one, following in his wake as they head toward the stage.
I exhale, hard, straightening my shirt as I watch them disappear down the corridor. My blood is boiling, my fists aching from being clenched so tight.
But I made a promise.
To Effa.
And right now, it’s the only thing keeping me from chasing him down and tearing him apart limb from limb.
***
