Page 11 of Lost Paradise

“It’s not worth the hassle, not here,” he urges.

“Little smart one,” Astro mocks.

“You’re an asshole,” I interject angrily. “Byron isn’t small by any means. In fact, I find him much better looking than you.”

“Not what your pussy was screaming about last night while my tongue dug deep.”

As Zane rises from his seat, determination etched into every line of his face, not even Byron's attempt to restrain him can hold him back this time. With a sense of urgency, I swiftly move between them, pushing against Zane's chest to create a physical barrier.

“Stop trying to fight my battles. I can do just fine on my own,” I implore, my voice tinged with urgency and fear.

I turn back to Astro. “We kissed. I’d like to say it was a moment of weakness, but that would imply I’m attracted to you, and I’m not. It was a pathetic mistake, and I tend to learn from them pretty quickly.”

With a sense of relief, I watch as Zane reluctantly sinks back into his seat, the tension in the air slowly dissipating. Taking a deep breath to steady myself, I reclaim my own seat, grateful that the confrontation has been averted, at least for now.

“For the record,” I declare, addressing everyone, my tone firm and resolute. “I’m not interested in being with any guy. So consider the shop closed and out of business.”

“You prefer girls, then?” Astro quips, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. He, predictably, can't resist adding his two cents.

“No. I like cock. But at the moment, I’m giving myself an indefinite break from sex and any kind of relationship.”

“Bullshite, your fanny was begging me,” Astro says quietly.

I shoot Zane a meaningful glance, silently urging him to stand down and let the matter drop.

“I have one question,” Astro interjects, his tone laced with sarcasm, and I can't discern whom he's addressing.

“Who let you out of the basement?”

Before I can even process the question, Byron lunges at Astro, fueled by a surge of anger. Zane reacts swiftly, pulling Byron back before the situation escalates further.

“Man, it’s not worth it. He’s nothing but a low-grade thug.”

“Low grade, eh?” Astro scoffs. “You must know enough to grade them?”

I turn my gaze to Byron and see the fury burning in his eyes, and suddenly, his earlier outburst makes perfect sense.

“You locked Byron in the basement?” I confront Astro, incredulous at his callousness.

He simply shrugs his shoulders nonchalantly. "It was funny," he retorts, his tone devoid of remorse.

“It wasn’t funny, you freak!” I retort angrily. “What the hell is wrong with you? Did your mother drop you as a baby? Or did she not hug you enough? There is something not right with you.”

I rise from my seat, intending to distance myself from the repulsive ass, but as I move, my heart skips a beat. A dark, hooded shadow blends seamlessly into the black fabric of the chairs, sending a shiver down my spine. Nearly gasping in shock, I freeze in place, my mind racing with fear and uncertainty.

“Who the fuck are you?”

The others seem to be just as shocked and surprised as I am.

Intrigued yet apprehensive, I peer closer at the figure because I’m not sure it’s even alive.

Itis amaleby first impressions.

His skin appears almost ghostly pale against the darkness of his hood, but it's the piercing blue of his eyes that captivates me, standing out starkly against his raven-black, shoulder-length hair. Despite his stillness, there's an intensity about him that sends a shiver down my spine, leaving me uncertain and unsettled.

“That’s Jackson,” Astro says casually as if introducing an old acquaintance.

“Jack,” the dark figure corrects, his voice sending a chill down my spine.

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