Page 183 of Irreversible

My throat tightens as I shift my attention back to Jasper. The timing feels surreal, like fate is playing some sick joke. Out of all the places in the world, he’s here, inthismoment, withhimwatching. The air vibrates with tension as my past and present circle each other, one stumble away from a collision.

I nearly hit the ceiling when Ariel sweeps by and slaps my ass.

Embarrassment blooms, pinkening my cheeks.

Jasper’s brows knit—he looks appalled. “I, uh…didn’t mean to surprise you. I realize this isn’t the best time.”

He has no idea.

My heart races as Isaac steps closer, slowly inching through the crowd like a shadow moving at the edge of my vision, each step carrying a silent warning.

“Should we step outside to talk?” Jasper glances at the figure approaching, confusion splashing across his face.

When Isaac lands beside me, his body heat zapping the remaining fragments of my resolve, I almost buckle. “I don’t think…I’m not…”

“She doesn’t look very happy to see you,” Isaac deadpans. His shoulder brushes mine as our knuckles graze, a subtle show of possession. The electricity between the three of us crackles, my nerves stretched tight as a wire.

Jasper’s jaw clenches, his eyes narrowing as he sizes up Isaac. “And you are?”

Isaac doesn’t flinch. “A friend.”

“Right.” Clearing his throat, Jasper steps forward and curls his hand around my forearm. “Everly, let’s go outside and?—”

In a blink, Isaac’s hand lashes out and clamps down on Jasper’s wrist, stopping him mid-motion. His grip is firm but deceptively calm.

I see stars.

Shit.

There’s no way this is going to end well.

Jasper tugs his wrist free, his eyes flashing with irritation and alarm. He squints at Isaac, taking one step back. “Do I know you?”

A scowl. “No.”

I position myself between the two men, sparing Isaac a quick glance before placing my palm on Jasper’s chest, gently guiding him toward the entrance. “You’re right, we should go outside.”

Isaac’s gaze sparks with fury, cutting through the strobes like a blade.

I ignore the sting.

Launching forward, I send a weak smile to one of my coworkers and zoom out the front door, Jasper trailing behind me. The night air hits me like a douse of cold water, star-speckled and sharp, and I falter on the sidewalk, slipping into my cropped black jacket. I turn to face my ex, my heart in a gallop. “Why are you here?”

He clears his throat, nervously glancing over his shoulder, half-expecting Isaac to be hot on our trail. “Who was that?”

My gaze settles on my ankle boots. “Doesn’t matter.”

“He looked…dangerous.”

Straightening, I steel my voice. “He’s not.” The words feel like a mantra, hoping that by saying them aloud, I can convince myself of their validity. “That was Isaac. He was the man I was looking for…during the rescue.”

Jasper frowns, then sends me a pointed look. Awareness blooms as his focus flicks between me and the club. “The man with the bag over his head?”

“Yes,” I breathe out, wishing I could banish that scene from my memories, scrub the vivid colors from my brain for good. “He was one of the captives. We shared a wall.”

The weight of the moment still grips me with a heavy hand.

Jasper and Isaac.

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