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Digging through my purse, I grab my lipstick and drag it across my lips, the red tint bringing my face alive.
It’s just sex.
I keep repeating those words to drown out my subconscious telling me I’m making a huge mistake. The soft sound of music floats past the bathroom door as I reach for the knob.
My breath snags on something deep in my chest. Anger and realization. The thought clicks in my head. I’m not the first person he’s done this to. He’s not hoping I’ll stay. The arrogance in his actions speaks louder than his words. He knows I’ll stay. How many more women has he blackmailed into sleeping with him? How many have stared at themselves in this same bathroom mirror telling themselves that it’ll be okay? Or worse, stared at themselves after they sold their soul to the devil.
Anger fuels my body and I swing open the door, marching past his shocked expression, straight to the front door.
“You’ll regret this.” A shadow of annoyance crosses his face as he places his wine glass down on the coffee table.
I snort with derision, holding a finger up. Nodding my head, I pin my stare on the douche bag. “You know what? You’re right.”
The arrogant bastard smiles as I cross the living room floor to where he stands. For a man who thinks he can control women, he doesn’t read them very well. As soon as I approach him, I let every ounce of anger out, swinging my knee up to his dick, connecting hard. I hope I broke it.
His groans and curse words fill the air as he drops to the floor, drowning out the music. Proudly, I turn back toward the door. Looking over my shoulder once more, I say, “Now, I have zero regrets. You fucked with the wrong girl. Or should I say, didn’t fuck?”
Not until I’m parked in front of my apartment, does the significance of what I did weigh on my chest. Silent tears flow down my cheeks, the darkness outside blurs. I did the right thing, yet I feel like I did something wrong. Somehow this is my fault.
I pick up my phone, sniffing as I search for a name. Addison answers, her sleep-filled voice fills the air through the Bluetooth in my car. It’s past three a.m. there, but I know she won’t care. She’s the one person who will make me understand what I did was worth the turmoil. The guilt filling my head makes me wonder if I’m a horrible person.
“Syd, what’s wrong?”
I sniff and try to chuckle. Instead, it comes out a strangled noise. “What, don’t I always call you at this time?”
“Shh, it’s Sydney,” she whispers.
“Is she okay?” A deep voice vibrates through the phone. The sheets ruffle in the background.
“I’m fine,” I answer loudly, knowing Aiden’s listening.
He grumbles and I hear Addison moving around. She whispers for me to hold on while she goes into the living room. “Okay. Talk,” she says firmly, once settled.
I run my hands through my hair, gripping the ends, letting out a slow sigh. “I need you to promise me you won’t tell Aiden.” That’s all I need is to make this bigger than it already is. And if Aiden knows… Max knows.
“I won’t say anything…” She pauses, changing her mind. “… unless you’re in trouble. Then I can’t promise shit.”
My lips twitch. “I’m not in trouble. But I just destroyed my career before it even started.”
Chapter Eleven
Sydney
Hulk: Hey west coast, how’s it going?
I stare at the text and sigh. Seriously? Can’t anyone keep their mouth shut these days? Maybe the text is just a strange coincidence and my best friend didn’t go behind my back. Dropping my hand to the couch, gripping my phone, I shake my head. There’re no coincidences with Max Shaw.
Curiosity has me searching his name, my finger hovering over the call button. I’m calling to help save a life, I tell myself. Shane’s. I press send and place the phone to my ear. My pulse races as I wait for him to answer. Sending a text is one thing, but talking to me, he might not want to after how I left.
“Well hell, this is a surprise,” he quips, his deep voice instantly making my heartbeat race.
“You texted me,” I retort. “It shouldn’t be that much of a surprise. So, who told you?”
“Told me what?”
I roll my eyes. Why does he always have to be difficult?
“Shane? The reason you’re texting me.”
