Page 131 of Jump on Three

Marco was on the other side of his desk by the time I’d cracked my jaw and wiped the spit off my lips. There was no hope for my dignity. That could not be restored, and I didn’t give a shit right now.

Marco’s arms were folded tight across his chest. “Are you ready to tell me why you’ve been acting like a lunatic in my club the past couple weeks? Why you attacked my employee for asking a simple question? Why your self-destructive ass thinks it’s cool to break a bottle from behind the bar to aid in said attack? I thought you were a cool guy, but I was wrong.” His jaw flexed and gritted. “You know how much I hate being wrong, but here we are.”

I raised my chin, toying between going for round two or talking it out. The side of my face hurt, but at least it was something.

Since Evelyn had told me she would not come with me, I’d gone numb. Logic said this was my mind protecting me from feeling something so fucking big it would be overwhelming, but logic could get fucked. There was nothing logical about this situation.

“He didn’t ask a simple question. That asshole asked me if my girl had finally gotten wise and traded up.”

Marco huffed, unimpressed. “That’s what got you up in your feels? Come on, man. It’s a valid question.”

Perhaps it was. Evelyn had been by my side every night I’d worked for weeks, and now she was absent. I hadn’t asked her to come with me, and she hadn’t volunteered.

I wasn’t surprised people had noticed, but that did not mean it was up for discussion.

“It’s no one’s business.” Especially not the bartender who was my father’s spy.

His brows rose. “Did you break up?”

“No.”

Neither of us had said those words, but there was no question we’d withdrawn from one another. Or maybe it was me who’d stepped back. I couldn’t be near her without falling further for her. It fucking hurt to look at her. So, we were still together because I would never be the one to put an end to us, but I already felt like I’d lost her.

It was excruciating.

Marco nodded and rubbed his chin. “I would’ve been shocked if you had. You’re solid. Can’t say I haven’t missed having Evelyn around recently, though. What’s up with that?”

I did not want to talk about this. I hadn’t said a word to anyone besides Evelyn. Not even Freddie and his nosy ass had suspected something was going on for days.

But if I didn’t get some of this weight off my chest, it would crush me. Marco was here, asking, so I gave it to him.

“My father has decided he does not like how comfortable I’ve become with my life here. He’s sending me to run his club in Miami as soon as I graduate. He says it’s to shake things up, but the unspoken reason is to take me away from Evelyn.”

“Huh. Interesting. Your old man hasn’t spoken to me about these plans. Will he be sending another Sokolov to take your place?”

“I don’t know. I would not put it past him. He shuffles his family around like playing cards.”

Marco’s dark stare would have penetrated me if I hadn’t hardened to stone.

“Then I guess it’s a good thing I’m out.”

My brows shot up. “Out?”

“Yeah. I have a buyer for my shares of the club.” He swiped his hands against each other. “I’m out in a couple weeks. Opening my own place in Savage River. I cannot wait for the day your daddy won’t be able to walk into my club at his whim. It’s going to be so fucking sweet.”

“Good for you. That’s one of us out from under him.”

“You don’t sound too happy for me. Or maybe you’re not happy for yourself. Is Evelyn not going with you to Miami?” he asked.

“No. She doesn’t want to.”

“Ah, I see. That’s what’s got you angry. I feel that. Pops is winning this round, huh? He’s putting you where he wants you and taking your girl away.” He straightened his shoulders and sat down at his desk. “I’ve got things to do. Why don’t you go back to school and get your head on straight. Don’t come back here until you can get through the night without getting homicidal. I don’t need to deal with that kind of paperwork.”

My head was not on straight. It felt like it never would be again. I would always be looking back, trying to find Evelyn since she would no longer be by my side.

I sat down beside her empty chair, my breakfast in front of me. Freddie was next to me, talking across the table to Bella. Rhys and Delilah were in their own world, laughing at something only the two of them could hear. Beckett and Luciana’s heads were together, something deep and fucking meaningful passing between them.

“Delilah,” I barked lowly.

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