The realization hits me a second too late. The club has gone quiet, only a low hum of the music audible.
Her voice has cut straight through the chatter, the laughter, everything. Conversations die mid-sentence. Heads turn.
“Sarah,” I grind out, keeping my voice low. “We’re nottogether. So there’s no one here I’ve cheated on you with.”
She laughs—high, manic—and I gently steer her farther toward the kitchen before she draws more attention. She flails anyway.
“Don’t touch me!” she spits. “You said she was gone. You said she was just another club slut wannabe.” Her arm jerks to the side. Pointing.
That’s when I see Charlotte standing still near the edge of the room, eyes locked on us. Her face is pale, but there’s steel there now. Confidence she didn’t have two years ago.
My chest caves.
Wait. What the fuck did Sarah just say? I mentioned that shit two years ago.
This is spiraling, fast. Fuck.
“Get her outta here, Ruin.” I hear Wolf behind me.
“Getting there,” I grit out, still staring at the menace. “Sarah,” I snap, letting the edge bleed into my voice, but I don’t get another word out.
“Didn’t you say she was never coming back?” Sarah screams at Wolf. “You fucking lied!”
And then—
Thud. A heavy sound cracks through the room and the music cuts dead.
FOURTEEN
Ruin
The moment silence washes over the room, not a single foot shuffles. No one speaks or dares to even move. I believe everyone knows who cut the damn music.
Almost like an apparition, I find my mother suddenly near the music system, throwing the power cable of the massive speaker on the beer-soaked floor. All while my father is charging toward… me? Fuck.
“Dad—”
“You shut up, boy,” he growls before grabbing Wolf’s cut in an unforgiving grip. “You been talking to this woman?”
I hear a scoff from where my mother and Charlotte still stand. But I’m, yet again, distracted by a banshee-like screech.
“This woman? I’m Ruin’s—”
“Nothing. You’re my nothing. You’re someone I fucked on and off for maybe a year. And now, you’re done.”
She stares at me with her wide, disbelieving eyes. I can’t hide the steel and rage from my voice any longer. But that’s nothing compared to the voice I hear next.
“Take your hands off me, Torch. I’m still your Prez.”
Wolf rarely uses that tone, which is why I know something’s not right with this situation.
The moment Sarah opens her mouth again, I signal Misty to quickly handle her. She swiftly walks behind her and coversher mouth before she spews more bullshit. My father is still seething, both hands clasped against Prez’s cut.
“Don’t wanna hurt the former VP, Torch. Off. Now.”
Jesus.
“Dad.” My voice is clipped, yet cautious.
