Page 7 of Vow to Hate You

“Let me go,” I gritted out, making sure I was loud enough to be heard over the music.

Damian straightened back up, his eyes dancing with dark amusement. “Let you go? I’m not holding you prisoner. You signed up for this when you stepped into the club.”

I searched his eyes, trying to figure out what he was playing at. There was so much going on the stage, I wasn’t sure if anyonewas paying attention to us. From how squished I was between Damian and the other guy; I didn’t think anyone could see me.

“I mean, you could always use the safe word. Can’t she, Ash?” His eyes cut behind me as my heart seized. Of course, Ashton was here. Damian was never far from his two best friends.

“We take the safe word seriously here,” Ashton answered, his tone playful. He dropped his chin on my shoulder. “Good to see you, Talie.”

“Inferno,” I snarled, repeating the word Ana had told me instead of replying to Ashton. I had no intention of talking to any of them, but I doubted Damian was going to let me walk out of here.

Damian’s eyes bored into mine as Ashton quickly undid the belt from my wrists. The second I was free, I tried darting away, but Damian wasn’t having that. His fingers closed around my upper arm, tugging me back into his chest.

“Not a word to your sister or her friends about me,” he warned, his tone deadly serious. “Or I’ll make sure your father knows her money was spent at a lavish club instead of on rent like she told him. He wouldn’t take that very well, would he?”

I scowled at him, not saying a word. If my dad found out, the freedom Char had now would be gone. I wouldn’t do that to her.

“Enjoy the rest of the show, Natalia,” he murmured as he released me.

My blood boiled from him calling me by my full name, and I threw him a scathing glare before spinning around to climb off the stage. Everyone’s attention was still on the show, and barely anyone looked at me as I raced toward the couch. Char’s eyes were bright when she saw me, her smile fading slightly when she met my gaze.

“What’s wrong?” she yelled over the music. “Did they do something you didn’t like?”

I forced a small grin. “It was fucking amazing.”

It wasn’t a lie. Up until I found out it was Damian who was touching me, I was having a great time. Now I needed to get the hell out of here.

I leaned over Char to talk to Hayley. “Can I get the code for the locker? I need to go check my phone.”

Her head whipped toward me. “You can’t leave. If you exit, then you can’t come back in.”

“Then I’ll wait for you in the car,” I said in a rush. “Please. It’s important.”

She stared at me before shrugging. “Four, one, two, one.”

“Thanks.” I looked back at my sister. “I’m not feeling good. I’ll see you later.”

“Talie, wait.” She grabbed my arm when I moved to stand. “What happened?”

“Nothing. I’m fine. The drinks are getting to me.” I gave her a tight hug, feeling like shit for bailing on her. “I promise I just need some fresh air.”

She nodded, biting her lip, trusting I was telling the truth. I hurried toward the exit, getting ready to push the door open until someone stepped in my way. We were so far from the stage, there was practically no light except for small ones lining the walkways. I could make out his shadowy outline, and he was wearing a mask like all the rest of them.

“I don’t feel well,” I said loudly. “I already know I won’t be allowed back in.”

“What’s wrong? The reunion with your forgotten husband too much for you?”

I went rigid, squinting in the dark to see him better. Damian and Ashton were still on the stage…which meant the man in front of me was the last of their trio. They were inseparable as kids, and it seemed that hadn’t changed.

“Get the hell out of my way, Rhyett,” I hissed, stepping closer to him.

He grinned lazily, crossing his arms. “Go sit back down, Talie.”

I eyed his bare chest, catching sight of a tattoo I couldn’t make out in the dark. Seeing him here was a surprise. He liked to dance, but it was never his passion. Maybe that was why he was in front of the door instead of on the stage. He was also the most mellow, laid back of the three, but I wasn’t sure it would help me now.

“Come on, Rhyett,” I said, keeping my voice gentle. “You know I never wanted to stay here. I’m not meant for it. Let me leave, so all our lives can go back to normal.”

He stepped forward, invading my personal space, and I straightened my spine. “Now, if you hadn’t married Damian and thenranafter stealing everything from him, I might feel bad for you.”

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