Page 132 of Scattered Glitter

I grab another glass without looking to see anyone’s reaction to my outburst, and as I take another swig of the cool liquid, I catch Levi’s amused grin from across the booth, his focus flicking from me to Koen, whose gaze I can still feel lingering on me.

I turn away and let the coolness of the champagne glass ground me as I take another long sip, hoping it’s enough to calm the wildfire Koen has set inside me.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Sylus

Sparkle’s body is relaxed, head tipping back against my shoulder as I navigate the dimly lit back hall of the club. Levi’s laughter echoes down the hall as Ezra, who is supporting most of his weight, practically drags him along. Koen strides ahead, pushing open the back exit to get the Bronco and drive it over to us.

Ezra grunts, adjusting Levi’s arm around his neck as they stumble toward the passenger door. “Get in, you adorable disaster,” he mutters under his breath, helping Levi into the back seat, still laughing at whatever joke he’s stuck on in his drunken haze.

When Ezra pushes the seat back and steps aside, I shift Sparkle, easing her into the car. She sighs as I pull the seat belt across her, and I press a light kiss to her forehead, the corner of her mouth quirking up as she murmurs, “Hottie…”

God, she’s going to be the death of me.

Koen glances at me as I back up, reluctantly releasing my grip on her. “So… we’re taking her to our place?” he asks casually, but there’s nothing casual about how he looks at her.

Ezra runs a hand through his hair. “I don’t want her in the house.”

“She’s staying with me,” I announce, cutting off whatever lecture he had ready, then fold my arms across my chest defensively. “She’s been through enough shit tonight. No way in hell I’m letting her wake up alone, not after everything…”

Ezra’s jaw tightens. “You know why I—”

“I know.” I cut him off again, giving him a hard stare. “And you overdid it. Now shut the fuck up.” His answering flinch is almost imperceptible, and he drops his chin to his chest to try and hide it. For a second, I almost feel bad.Almost.

He put a fucking dent in a star.

“I’ll be back in a minute…” I lean into the car, brushing my knuckles over Sparkle’s still-red cheek, “… all right? Just hang tight for me.”

As I close the passenger door, she mumbles something incoherent, making me chuckle.Adorable.

Without looking back I move toward my bike to put on my helmet, ignoring the urge to toss it aside and crawl into the Bronco with her. Ezra hovers, looking as if he wants to talk or maybe argue, but I don’t give him the chance. The engine roars to life under me, and I roll out behind the Bronco.

“Sy.” Ezra’s voice comes through the helmet’s com, too close, too soon.

I’m so fucking pissed at him.

He should be glad Koen held me back. I don’t know if I could have stopped myself from punching him senseless for hurting what’s mine. I grit my teeth, barely containing the anger simmering beneath my skin. “I don’t wanna hear it, Ez.”

There’s a pause, the sound of the Bronco rumbling just ahead of us on the road. “I apologized to her.”

“I fucking hope so.” A bitter laugh slips out before I can stop it. “You fucking hit her, Ezra.Twice!”

“To make sure she won’t rat us out,” he snaps back. “To keep us out of jail… or worse.”

“Rat us out?” My pulse pounds in my ears, fury sharpening every word. “She’smy fucking person, Ez, and you hurt her.”

Ezra’s silence hangs heavy through the line, and when he finally speaks, it’s low, defensive. “I didn’t know. Hell, I didn’t even know you knew her! And now she’s your person?” He sounds almost incredulous. “I thoughtIwas your person.”

“You were,” I bite out. “Before you stopped being it three months ago when I needed you.”

Ezra’s breath catches. “Sy…”

“Yeah,” I continue, my voice trembling as the words spill out, ones I’ve been swallowing for too damn long. “And you needed me too. But no, you buried yourself in work. Left me to deal with my shit.”

“You think you’re the only one grieving? He was like a fucking father to me,” he fires back, his voice cracking through the line. “I was drowning too!”

“And I wanted to be there for you!” My voice softens a little. “You didn’t let me.”

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