Page 3

I open my mouth to shout for help, only to swallow it back when I see Teo Kirby storming toward us with murder in his eyes.

Shit. Teo is actually here.

What is he doing here? Is he stalking Nadia now that they're in the same city? Are they talking again?

Why didn't she tell me?

She sees him not even two seconds later, her eyes locking on him like she's drowning.

"Mateo." His name shakes on her lips, full of years of pain and memories, making it clear they haven't seen each other in a while. Crap. This is going to be a disaster.

I'm not wrong.

Teo doesn't say a word as he grabs the jackass who told me to call security and flings him across the bar like a ragdoll.

Nadia cries out as the guy crashes into a table a few feet away. Everyone around us goes silent as Teo yanks his friend up by the throat before tossing him aside.

"You," he snarls at the jerk in the wrinkled suit. "Apologize. Now."

The man stares at him blankly.

"You threatened her." Teo hauls himself up to his full height, his fist clenched. The man is imposing as hell. He's played professional football for years, and it shows.

"Apologize. Now," he grits out, his voice a dark rumble.

"Fuck you and the bitch."

"Wrong choice." Teo snaps his arm back, smashing his fist into the man's face once.

Bone crunches, his nose breaking on impact.

Another soft cry escapes Nadia's lips as he crumples like a paper doll at Teo's feet, hitting the floor with a heavy thud.

I'm not surprised, though. This is what Teo does. It's what he's done over and over ever since he lost Nadia. His life is a trainwreck, and the damage just keeps piling up. But honestly? I think that's how he wants it. It's how he punishes himself for her accident.

But he's here now. They're in the same room. That has to be a good sign…right?

"I called the police," the bartender says, hurrying over to us. He eyes Teo warily, as if he's fully aware of who he is and his reputation for leaving places like this in ruins. "They're on the way."

Teo ignores him, his eyes locked on my sister like he can't look away. "You okay, butterfly?" he asks her, his voice soft.

She jerks her chin in a nod, not speaking. I don't think she can.

"Zoya?" he asks, checking on me.

"I'm fine."

He and Nadia stare at one another for a long moment while he shakes out his hand. Neither of them says anything, but God…the way they look at each other makes me want to cry. It's obvious neither of them ever got over the other. It's equally as obvious they still belong together.

When are they going to stop destroying themselves and realize it?

"Thank yo–"

"Hire security. You need it," he interrupts Nadia before turning abruptly and walking away.

She gapes after him for a long moment before her eyes narrow in outrage. Before I can say a word, she's storming through the bar after him. I let them go, praying they finally work their shit out. They need to do it. Desperately.

"Hey." Jareth materializes at my side a moment later, fury stamped all over his face as he scowls at the three dicks the bouncer is trying to haul out. "What the fuck just happened?"

"Oh, sure," I mutter, rubbing my temples. " Now he shows up."

"We were loading up the equipment. Someone ran out and said there was a fight over Nadia. What happened, Zoya?"

"The Three Drunken Stooges there thought insulting and threatening us was a good way to get in Nadia's pants."

Jareth growls, taking a step toward them.

"Easy there, buddy." I roll my eyes, grabbing his arm. His muscles are tense under my palm. "Teo already handled it."

"Teo?" Jareth's eyes widen. "Teo Kirby?"

"That's the one."

He glances toward the doors, his eyes narrowed. "Should we go check on her?"

"Definitely not," I say before he tries to swoop into the middle of something he doesn't understand. "Believe me, whatever is happening out there needs to happen. Do them a favor and let it."

He stares at me for a moment before jerking his chin in a nod. He slides onto Nadia's vacant barstool, his thigh bumping mine as he turns toward me. "So, he's the guy, huh?"

"Yeah, he's the guy," I say quietly, cocking my head to the side in curiosity. "You know about him?"

"Nah. She hasn't said anything about him, but it's not hard to see it if you know her. You don't write like that unless you've been there."

"Ah." I glance down at the bar, tracing a water spot. "So you've been there, huh?"

"Fuck no," he says, chuckling.

Why am I not surprised? Of course he's never been in love. Guys like him aren't even capable of it. They just sleep around until they're too old to do that anymore, and then they die alone.

Ugh. Why do I care?

"Are you okay?"

"Yes. Why?"

"Three jackasses threatened you," he says, his lips pulled down into a frown as if it should be obvious.

"Oh." I wave him off. "I'm fine."

His eyes lock on my face, searching. "Are you?"

"Yes," I huff at him. "Trust me, Jareth, this isn't the first time some idiot said something nasty to me. It probably won't be the last either. That's what it's like being a woman in this world."

And when you're a curvy woman? Well, let's just say that you get used to nasty, unsolicited comments quickly.

The body positivity movement only works for those receptive.

Guys like the three the bouncer is hauling out will never see us as equals.

To them, we're something to use, and something to abuse, and that's it.

Jareth scowls like my comment pisses him off, reaching out to cup my cheek. His calloused fingers are gentle against my skin, his expression soft and warm. "It's still bullshit, princess. Fuck anyone who doesn't treat you like a queen."

"I…" I lick my lips, caught up in his gaze. My heart pounds an erratic rhythm. It's truly unfair how damn beautiful he is. And how much I like him.

"Jareth," I blurt, trying to think of anything but the way his body felt pressed to mine earlier. "Isn't that the Goblin King?"

He scans my face, his expression impressed. "You know your '80s movies."

"Uh, everyone knows Labyrinth . It's David Bowie in tights."

He chuckles, his eyes locked on my face and his hand still pressed to my cheek. "My mom is a die-hard fantasy lover. You should hear my siblings' names."

"Khalessi? Aragorn?" I guess.

"Close." His lips quirk into a grin, his fingers sliding across my cheek in a way that I do not hate. "Try Bastian, Arwen, and Hermione."

"You're shitting me."

"Nope."

"So you have the coolest mom ever," I say, impressed. "But I have a question."

"Shoot."

"Does she know the babe? You know, the one with the power?"

His deep laugh rumbles through me like a gong, striking something deep in my womb.

"Of course you went there," he mutters.

"You got the name. I got the jokes." I shrug, but there's nothing casual about the way my heart is thudding against my ribcage like it's trying to break free.

I think he feels the same thing between us because his eyes drop to my mouth, his expression sobering. "Fuck," he groans, his thumb sliding across my bottom lip. "I've been staring at this mouth all night, Zoya. The more you talk, the more I want to know what it tastes like."

I don't know why I do it because I'm still completely sober, but I catch the pad of his thumb between my teeth. The result is instantaneous. He growls, that same predatory sound from the dressing room, and hauls me halfway off my stool. His lips come down on mine in a dizzying kiss.

I gasp in shock, allowing him to slip his tongue into my mouth. It tangles with mine, tempting me into a moment of madness. Even though alarm bells scream that I shouldn't be doing this, I press up against him, kissing him like he's offering salvation.

He tastes like mint and beer. It's an intoxicating combination on his lips, especially with his hands in my hair and a hungry growl vibrating in his chest.

The only thing that saves me from climbing his body right in the middle of the club is the bartender clearing his throat behind us.

We spring apart, breathing hard.

Jareth looks pissed at the interruption; his eyes narrowed on the smaller man like he's considering pulling him across the bar to choke the life out of him.

"Sorry," the guy mutters. "But I need to know if you want Jett to hold the three of them for the police to get here."

"Let them go," I blurt, leaping to my feet. The last thing Teo needs is for the three of them to stick around long enough to press charges. He's been in enough trouble the last few years. "Nadia wouldn't want this all over the news."

I have a feeling it will be anyway. Teo was in a bar fight over her. That's going to make waves. People with their kind of fame don't get privacy during times like this.

The bartender nods before stepping away.

Jareth reaches for me, but I dodge him.

"I gotta go," I mumble.

"Zoya, wait."

I shake my head, backing away. "That shouldn't have happened."

"Why the fuck not?" he growls, rising to his feet.

"B-because…" I try to think of a good reason, but I highly doubt the panic beating at my chest is going to be enough to sway him.

Not with that look in his eyes. And I really don't want to admit to a man like him that I'm a virgin, not when I'm simply one in a long line to him. "Because I'm seeing someone."

He rocks back on his heels like I slapped him. "You're seeing someone."

"Yes," I lie. "Back home. At school."

I'm going to hell for lying, but at least I'll go with my dignity…right?

He stares at me, not saying anything, and I feel like the biggest jerk on the planet. But I don't take it back, either. Jareth Grayson and I can't happen. We just…can't.

"I'm sorry," I whisper, turning on my heel and practically fleeing from the bar.