Page 99 of Doesn't Count

“It seems Ash decided to bring work with her.” Jack smirks.

“Well, pleasure to meet you... Ash’s work.” She giggles, holding her hand out.

“Khaos.” He corrects her, his deep voice causing an involuntary response in my body.

He doesn’t take her hand, instead, he keeps it right where it is around my waist.

She laughs it off as if his rejection means nothing to her.

“Ah, you must be in that band... oh shoot, what’s the name again?” She snaps her fingers, pretending to ponder.

I roll my eyes.

“Night’s Deadly Deeds.” Mordecai answers her.

“That’s right. I remember now.” She smirks. “Ash, I never pictured you as a groupie, but even I can admit there’s something sexy about a man in a mask.”

“I wouldn't put Ash and groupie in the same sentence.” Khaos snaps, a threat lingering in his tone.

One of Justina’s perfectly shaped, dark eyebrows quirk up in amusement.

“No?” She purrs. “Isn’t Ash the mystery girl that’s following you around like a little puppy dog?” She asks with big round eyes feigning innocence, then turns to me. “If I remember correctly, you were sorely disappointed when you found out about being assigned to a nobody – your words – and now look at you! Finding love in unlikely places.”

“It’s not like that.” I growl, trying to put distance between me and Khaos.

“Then what is it like, Ash?” She croons, loving how riled up her accusations are making me. “Is it thrilling when he bangs you with his mask on or does he make you take it from behind?”

“Jesus.” Jack mutters uncomfortably.

My entire body radiates with fury and unabashed embarrassment. This was part of the reason why I didn’t want to come to this damn event - that and I knew it would be hard to rein in Khaos. Except, if I left him behind... it would have been quite difficult to avoid Blane.

Instead of ripping her a new one, I take a few deep breaths, deciding she’s not worth losing my job over. Unacknowledged,I leave her behind me as I turn to face the back of the person in front of me. This line seems to be just as long as it was when we stepped over here, my patience weaning.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Khaos stepping toward her, crowding her meek little body. A vicious smile reveals pearly white teeth in a mouth made for evil. Her lips twitching just slightly at the danger that looms over her. With his hands in his pockets, he leans down to whisper in her ear. His words are meant for her, but I hear it all anyway.

“I fuck her with my face as bare as my dick. Know why?” When she doesn’t respond, he continues. “Because a small part of me finds the idea of fucking my child right into herthrilling,which I’m sure no one can say the same for you.”

I spin around, my eyes wide with shock, a newfound anger simmering inside of me.

“Khaos!” I growl, chastising him for being so reckless.

His glare never wavers from hers, both in a silent battle, Justina the first to break it.

“Well that explains the weight gain.” She sneers at me.

Ouch.

“I’m not pregnant!" I growl, turning to Khaos. “Shut up and wait in line. We’re finally next.” I yank his arm, turning him toward the bar and away from the trash wrapped in diamonds and glitter.

Her giggle leaves a trace of panic lingering behind, the millions of ways she can twist his words into the next headline cartwheeling around my brain. She shakes her head before leaving us to mingle her way around the room, taking with her most of the tension hardening my muscles.

I grip the knot of Khaos’ tie, yanking him down to my face. “What did we talk about earlier?”

If I didn’t know Khaos, I might have missed the way his eyes smile. “I like it when you’re bossy.”

“Khaos!” I seethe, but he only chuckles.

“Good boys get rewards.” He repeats my words from earlier.

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