Chasing Him - Kat T. Masen Page 0,56
has run its course, and even with the extra shots coming my way, I’m no longer entertained by the Hollywood crowd. I take out my cell to see the picture again, but Lex swipes my phone off me.
“If you won’t tell me who the hell you’re seeing, I’m finding out for myself. ” He doesn’t have to search far, and like a slow-motion movie, I watch his face drop instantly, suddenly morphing into anger. His lips are pursed, the vein on his forehead practically jumping out to me and slapping me across the face. The look of pure rage meets me in the eye, and he growls, “Outside now!”
I continue to stand, not giving in to his stupid request until he grabs my arm forcefully and drags me through the crowd. I beg him to stop, his tight grip much like a Chinese burn. He doesn’t even have the decency to ask people to move politely, rudely shoving me until we hit the exit sign. The second we’re outside the side entrance, he lets go, and I catch myself just before I stumble to the ground.
“What the fuck is this?”
I rub my arm noticing the red marks on my skin. “Well, now you know.”
It’s a stare-down, and I refuse to back off. Charlie pummels through the doorway, barely able to walk after the copious amount of shots she’s had. “What the hell is going on?”
Lex has not backed down, his glare is fierce, and his normally emerald green eyes are onyx black. The look of death. I cross my arms, refusing to allow him to think he can control my life.
“Why the fuck didn’t you tell me?” he shouts at Charlie.
She looks my way, shrugging her shoulders. “Tell you what?”
“Like you don’t know.” He lets out a nasty laugh.
“I have no idea what you are—” Lex shoves the cell into Charlie’s face, and it takes her a moment to register. With her eyes wide, she lifts them to meet mine. Does she understand now? Shocked and confused, she stutters trying to form a sentence.
“Adriana,” she whispers.
“Cut the I-had-no-idea bullshit, Charlie!”
Oh crap, he only ever calls her Charlie when he sees red. How dare the dickhead take it out on her. I can’t believe we’re related, honestly.
“Don’t you think if I knew it was Julian that I’d have said something to you?” she responds exasperated.
“Why would you? You’re probably happy that he’s back in the picture. Always loved him, right?”
Charlie is furious. “How fucking dare you say that about me.”
I know Lex is drunk, which doesn’t help the situation.
“So, let me guess, Adriana, he found you and swept you off your feet? Promised to respect Elijah, told you he was over Charlie.” The anger and hate consume him, turning him ugly. I don’t even dignify him with a response.
I have to stand my ground now. “I’ll tell you what, Lex, you have no idea how hard it’s been for me, and frankly, I don’t give a goddamn shit what you think.”
He follows with another hateful laugh. “So just fuck him and get it over with. I’ll be ready and waiting when he starts his move on Charlie, which I’m sure she will gladly welcome.”
I hear the slap of a palm.
Charlie has struck Lex on the face.
Holy fucking hell!
Lex grabs her forearm, his grip tight, but she doesn’t complain.
“Let go of me.” Her bark warns him to back the hell off.
He lets go, then follows by punching the brick wall, screaming in agony and frustration. Charlie walks over to me and hugs me tight.
“Let’s go back to your place,” she tells me.
Lex swiftly turns around, the blood pouring from his hand as his evil laugh echoes through the alleyway. “And so, it starts. You going to call Julian over so you can all hug it out?”
Charlie releases me and walks toward him. She lifts his hand to examine it, just a few minor scrapes and nothing serious and drops it immediately.
“I’m staying with Adriana tonight. Don’t follow me. Don’t call me,” she says in an eerily calm voice. “I don’t want to see or speak to you till you’ve calmed down, you imbecile.”
“Charlotte, you can’t fucking stay there. You’re my fucking wife,” he almost spits.
I’m too exhausted to say any more, Charlie looking just as defeated as I feel. She links her arm in mine, and we start to walk off until she stops a few moments later, turning around to face Lex one more time.
“I’ve never felt so disrespected in my