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Repeat.

Halfway through my first drink on an empty stomach, I start to think that this might’ve been a bad idea. In hindsight, I let my petty side take over, putting me in a situation that, honestly? I’m not the biggest fan of.

I should’ve just stayed in. I didn’t have to confront Adrian when he finally came home, and if I let my unsaid suspicion that there was no meeting… that, secretly, a part of me wanted to visit the King’s Court because I was terrified that I might find my husband here with a mistress… lead me into doing something I’m not comfortable with, then that’s my problem.

If he goes to the Used, he was never really mine. I need to accept that.

I need to understand that in the Order… that’s what happens.

I never wanted to come back to this life, but I had to, and it’s time I put on my big girl panties, temper my expectations, and get the fuck over it.

Deciding that I would finish my drink and then hire another car, I turn back around, ignoring the music, the lights, the drugs in one corner, the smoking in another… I forget for a moment that I’m one in a crowd of too, too many.

At least, I do—until someone slides on to the empty stool next to me and prods me in my bare shoulder.

“Loni Dougherty? Funny seeing you here.”

My head jerks up.

The man sitting next to me is good-looking in that ‘boy next door’ kind of way. He has a round face, honest features, shaggy blond hair, and dark brown eyes. There’s friendliness in their depths, and a vague interest, plus a charming smile that it takes me a second to place.

Max Roberts. My lab partner senior year, and a member of Harmony Heights High School’s football team when we both attended the same school.

“Holy shit, Max. Wow! It’s… it’s so great to see you.”

He leans in, about to give me a hug. I freeze, not sure how to go about rejecting him, but I don’t have to. Lowering one arm to his side, a sheepish grin touching his handsome face as he runs his fingers through his shaggy blond hair.

When he’s done, he settles that same hand casually on the bartop.

Crisis averted.

“You, too. I thought I recognized you when I was crossing to the bar, going for my drink, but as soon as I sat down… I was like, yo, thatisLoni.”

I nod. “Yup. I’m back in town.”

Unfortunately.

“I know. I heard you and Heller got hitched.” Max whistles, the sound sharp enough that I can hear him over the raucous crowd and the thumping bass. “Never saw that coming.”

Yeah. Me, neither.

Damn it. It would be so much easier to simply tap my ear, pretend I can’t hear him, then end this conversation. It’s a shame that I already responded to him, and when he mentioned Adrian and me getting married, I definitely flinch.

His forehead furrows. “You two doing okay? I mean… I remember how he always used to be so possessive of you when we were kids. All any of us had to do was bring up your name and he was either having Dallas Collins beat the shit out of us or, you know, being Adrian Heller.”

Max doesn’t elaborate. He doesn’t have to. When it comes to Adrian being Adrian, I had a front-row seat to seeing how sneaky and underhanded he could be. But possessive? That’s a new one. I mean, killing Desmond to take his place last month can definitely be considered possessivenow… but all those years ago?

Interesting.

I’m not sure if I like it, but it’s certainly interesting.

Max leans in closer, lowering his voice a little. “I mean it. I might not be in the inner circle like Heller and Collins, but I’ve got my brand.” He flashes his palm, showing the mark on his skin. “If you need help… if you want to get away, I can help you. I can let Jack know and, family or not, he has to follow the charter. You don’t have to stay with him if he’s hurting you.”

Oh.

Oh.

Do I want to get away? I mean, in the beginning, that’s all I was thinking about. Plotting my escape occupied my thoughts the first few days I was hiding out in my room. But somehow, along the way, I’ve just accepted that this is it.