Page 76 of Jasper

And that’s all that matters.

At least, it felt like she was safe until right this minute.

One moment, I’m standing near the edge of the dance floor, watching Ariana laugh, her head thrown back, golden pink hair flying as she twirls between Ember and Rowie. Her cheeks are flushed, her eyes bright, and for a moment, the world feels still—like everything is exactly where it should be.

Then the doors open.

A rush of air barrels through the room, followed by a wave of men. Loud. Aggressive. Shouting as they flood the already-packed bar.

Cassian stiffens beside me, eyes narrowed. “Something’s off.”

He’s right.

I scan the dance floor again, my gaze locking on Ariana as she throws her arms around Rowie, spinning with laughter.

I take a step forward.

“We should get them out of here,” I start.

But I don’t even get the words out.

Because in a blur of motion, a fist comes out of nowhere and slams into Dom’s jaw. The sound is sickening, a crack of knuckle on bone, and then all hell breaks loose.

Someone hits Ghost next. Next, a bottle smashes against a table. A chair goes flying. Screams erupt. And just like that, the entire bar detonates into chaos.

“Jasper!” Cassian shouts beside me, but I’m already moving.

Bodies shove and slam into me from every direction. The music cuts out, replaced by the roar of a hundred voices shouting over each other. My eyes dart wildly across the room.

Ariana—Where is she?

I shove past a guy stumbling with a bloody nose, then duck as another man gets tackled to the ground. The floor is slick with spilled drinks, broken glass crunching under my boots.

“Ariana!”

I see Rowie first. She’s crouched against a table, arms over her head, tears streaming down her cheeks. Theo dives toward her, pulling her to safety.

“Where is she?” I shout, voice hoarse, heart pounding in my throat.

Cage has Ember by the wrist, dragging her toward a hallway just off the main bar. I tear through the crowd, clearing a path with my fists and shoulders until I reach them.

“Where is Ariana?” I bark, grabbing Rowie’s trembling shoulders.

She shakes her head, sobbing. “I don’t know! She… she was right behind us, and then she was gone. People were pushing?—”

Ember cries, “We tried to hold on to her!”

A vise clamps around my chest. My lungs can’t find any air.

Gone.

I charge back into the mess, eyes darting, body on fire with panic.

“Ariana!” I roar.

She’s not on the dance floor.

Not by the bar.

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