Bye-Bye Jerk, Hello Mr. Right

I took one step forward, then froze. Demi’s words replayed in my head: someone had a secret. Could it be him, the guy I just spotted?

If so, was he wrapped up in the Drago family’s shady business too?

The thought of the Johnstons and Dragos teaming up to take out my parents made my blood boil. I was so caught up, I didn’t notice someone behind me until Cole’s voice broke through.

“Lost on the way to the restroom?” he teased.

Snapping out of it, I played it cool. “Nah, just got my period. Need supplies.”

His smirk was straight–up smug. “What a coincidence. I’ll have someone grab them for you.”

And he actually did. A staffer brought me some pads, leaving me no choice but to take a quick restroom break and roll with it.

By the time I got back, Cole’s so–called “models” had already lined up. All six feet tall, ripped, and ridiculously good–looking, like they’d been plucked straight out of some glossy magazine ad.

They greeted me, perfectly synchronized.

“These guys are pros,” Cole bragged. “Guaranteed to impress.” Content rights by NôvelDr//ama.Org.

I nodded. “Not bad. DracoLux really knows how to pick ‘em.”

My comment was suggestive–I wanted to see his reaction.

He chuckled. “So, what do

you think?”

“Very satisfied. I’ll let you know when I need them. Just keep them ready,” I said, keeping my tone confident.

“Don’t worry. I’ve got you covered,” Cole assured me.

But my mind wasn’t on the models. I couldn’t stop thinking about the guy I’d seen earlier. Hoping to dig deeper, I said, “You can go now. I want to drink alone for a bit.”

Cole didn’t ask questions. As he left, he tossed over his shoulder, “Tonight’s on me.”

He even left a server–a young hottie–to pour my drinks.

I started drinking, though I’d already downed something Mr. Seth gave me earlier, a remedy to keep me from getting drunk no matter how much I drank.

Cole had left fancy imported liquor, so I went through a whole bottle like it was water.

For most people, that much would’ve been a one–way ticket to blackout city.

Pretending to be tipsy, I leaned into the server, only to shove him away a second later. “Don’t touch me,” I slurred. “The man I love is Hayden. I’m calling him to come get me…

I grabbed my phone and dialed. But it wasn’t Hayden I called–it was Wayne.

Because he was the guy I’d seen earlier.

Wayne picking this spot wasn’t random, but given his past schemes with Hernan and Bruno, I couldn’t ignore the chance he was tied up with the Dragos too.

1/2

The phone rang three times before he answered, but I didn’t let him speak. “Hayden,” I crooned, “I miss you. Where are you? Can you come get me?”

Nothing.

I kept going. “Hayden, talk to me! Do you even know how miserable I’ve been? Please, hurry…”

The call ended. Wayne didn’t say a word.

He must be angry.

But I knew he wouldn’t just ignore me. When I called again, he let it ring.

I calculated how long it’d take for him to get here, then turned back to the server. Staying in character, I draped myself over him, still slurring Hayden’s name.

It worked. Wayne stormed in to find me clinging to the server, calling him Hayden like it was some rom–com cliché.

His hand wrapped around my wrist, his icy glare landing on the poor guy.

“Mr. Johnston, I—”

“Get out.” Wayne’s tone was sharp enough to cut glass.

The server bolted so fast he nearly tripped.

I watched, pretending to be out of it, but my thoughts were crystal clear. That kind of reaction? That level of fear?

Wayne wasn’t just here by coincidence. He’s definitely hiding something.