Page 124 of Right Number, Wrong Man
From the bottom of my duffel bag, I grab an all-black outfit. Tank top, cargo pants, combat boots, and Jax’s skulldevil mask. As the finishing touches, I clip a hunting knife to my belt and tuck a revolver into my waistband.
No matter what it takes, I’ll get that name from her tonight. But that doesn’t mean we can’t have a little fun while we’re at it…
47
HAILEY
I stompalong the dirt path toward the sunflower field.
Moths dance around electric lanterns installed on the fence posts. Trees rustle at the forest edge and the crickets chirp, but the quiet night makes my thoughts seem louder.
Colt is looking out for me and there I go, being difficult. But why would he push me to start dating someone after all the signs he gave me tonight? That warmth in his eyes, how he held me close and put my hand on his heart—that’s not what friends do! Or is it?
And then he has the gall to ask if there’s someone I like! That’s theonequestion I can’t answer honestly.
If I told Colt that it’shimI like and then broke his heart because it was some fleeting infatuation—no way! That would be too cruel. I have to figure out my feelings before I confess anything, but my panicked reaction made him really mad.
That’s why I left. I didn’t want to say more things I’ll regret.
The sunflowers sway in the warm breeze and the stars glitter above, only outshone by the full moon. It’speaceful. Hanging my clutch over a fence post, I tilt my head back until the sunflowers turn into a blurry border of yellow.
Seeing how endlessly the universe stretches makes every problem seem so small. I sigh. Theremustbe a way for me to make up with Colt without admitting my crush.
“Hey, Sugar,” an eerily dark, smooth voice comes from behind me.
Before I can react, a broad body presses me forward into the fence, pinning me in place. My pulse jumps, but I try to stay calm.
“Jax, what are you doing here?”
He chuckles. “Miss me?”
“I told you we’re over. Can’t you respect that?”
“You’re confused. You don’t know what you want, but I’m here to remind you.”
“Remind me that you’re an asshole?” I scoff. “No need for that after your tantrum when I broke up with you.”
“Shut up, brat.” He steps away, and the click of a gun being cocked sends a shiver down my spine. “Now turn around. Slowly. No sudden movements. And don’t eventhinkof screamin’ unless you wanna bet that you can holler faster than I can pull the trigger.”
My pussy clenches and I wince.
Not now!I’m furious, not horny!
I turn and the first thing I see is Jax’s mask—plus a revolver pointing at my forehead. I bite my lip, glancing at the tight, black tank top hugging his muscled chest.
He shouldn’t get to be so attractive when I’m mad at him. The whole handsome villain act is throwing off my angry vibes.
Okay, maybe I’m alittlehorny?
Fuck. Jax is right. Clearly, Iamconfused, but I must stand my ground. I’m a woman with morals and dignity! Some, at least.
I scowl. “Either shoot me or take that gun out of my face and leave. You have ten seconds. Ten. Nine. Eight?—”
“Ain’t that awful cute? The brat thinks she can order me around. Guess I gotta remind you who that sweet cunt between your legs belongs to.”
He wrestles my hands behind my back and metal snaps around my wrists.
“You can’t cuff me to a fence in public!”
