Wasted Lust - JA Huss Page 0,55
off. “And I’m sorry, OK? I am. But I just can’t be here.”
He nods at me, feigning understanding. But I know he thinks I’m irrational. Regardless, I got my way. He walks off down a long hallway in the same direction as Madeline—which was not the way she approached—and I watch him until he disappears around a corner.
I hug myself, chilled to the bone. Something is wrong here. I can feel it. I’m not sure what it is about this place that has me on edge, but—
“Giving up already?” I whirl around to find a man about the same age as me, standing under an archway with open double doors. “I figured you’d bail. Auntie had higher hopes, but I know your kind.”
“Who the fuck are you?”
He’s wearing a black suit. Like, all black. Shirt and everything. “Just another broken promise.”
“Excuse me?” Heart rate, Sasha, I have to tell myself. Control your heart rate. Because it’s beating so fast, my chest might explode.
“Tell me, Sasha Cherlin,” he says, walking towards me slow and deliberate. “What would you do if I attacked you right now?” He nods to the hallway Jax disappeared down. “He’s out of range, believe me. Madeline took him outside.”
“Why in the world would you attack me? I thought she was all benevolent and she just wanted to talk.”
“She does. But I have other plans for you.”
“Is that so?” Cocky motherfucker.
He lunges, striking me in the face with the back of his hand.
I react, diving for his legs and sending him to the floor. He puts a leg up and kicks me in the chest, sending me reeling backwards on the shiny floor.
I taste blood in my mouth from his hard slap and then jump up to my feet. He’s on his as well, circling me like a predator.
“Come on, asshole,” I seethe through my teeth. “I’m ready.”
“You sure about that?”
I attack this time. I take two steps forward, duck to the left a little too slow, allowing his fist to connect with my cheek, and then grab his throat and his arm and swing myself up into a flying armbar. The momentum slaps him down on the hard travertine-tiled floor, and I sit on his back for a few seconds of rest before he bucks me off, sending me flat on my ass, my dress hiked all the way up my legs.
He stands over me laughing. “Next time you pick a fight, trying wearing panties.”
The next thing I know, he’s face first on the floor and Jax is standing in the spot where the new guy just was. Blood is spilling onto the expensive polished floor and my attacker lets out a groan.
“You OK?” Jax asks, breathing heavy and extending his hand to help me up. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know he’d be here, or I wouldn’t have left you alone.”
“Damn right,” new guy says. “You know I’ve a score to settle with her.”
“That’s enough, Julian.” Jax says it with authority and Julian bites his tongue. “Get the fuck out of here or I will handcuff your ass right now and take you in.”
“Do it,” Julian challenges. “See how far that gets you with Auntie.”
“I cannot believe you call that bitch Auntie.”
“Watch your mouth, Sasha,” a voice from behind me says.
I whirl around to see Madeline back in the entrance. “You people are crazy.”
“I asked for one conversation. Ten minutes of your time. And you treat us like we are unworthy of your company. What’s that say about you?”
“I was brought here against my will.”
“Then Jax misunderstood. He was asked to set up a meeting. If he went about it using less than honorable ways, that’s something you need to take up with him.”
I shoot Jax a look.
“It’s ten minutes, Sasha. Hear her out and we’ll leave right after.”
“He attacked me!” I say, sounding like a child as I point to Julian with one hand and touch my lip with the other. “I’m bleeding!”
“She’s rusty,” Julian says to Madeline. “She needs to be retrained all over again if I agree to take her on.”
“Take me on for what? Someone better start talking or I’m gonna lose my shit!”
“I practically begged you for a conversation, yet you—”
“Fine,” I yell at Madeline. “Five minutes. Start talking.”
“In private,” she demands. “And while you’re waiting,” she says to Jax, “maybe you can find her some undergarments.”
I glare at her. “If you think you can shame me, you’re wrong, lady. I’ll strip naked and kick your ass right now.”
Jax chuckles.
“And you,” I