Page 31 of A Dark Duet

“Last time I checked, she wasn’t your girl, and if the news is anything to go by, looks like you have your hands full after your last fight.”

I can see Nate clenching his fist and I don’t want Jason to get into anything because Nate will fight him. I step between them. “Look, please don’t do this right now.”

I know Nate can kill Jason if he goes after him, and I can’t let that happen. I calm down once I see them looking at me.

“Nate, Jason and I are friends, and we were all out having a good time. Please, just back off before we attract more attention.”

“Then let me take you home,” Nate says. I look at Jason and Nate, weighing my options.

When my eyes land back on Jason, he nods in understanding. “Are you sure, Giselle? I can take you home,” Jason says.

“It’s okay, Jason. I’ll let him take me home. I wanted to at least tell you we had an amazing time,” I say with a soft smile.

He smiles and I look at Brie, who is talking to Jaden. I didn’t even notice they were ten feet away with a seething Jace looking over from his table.

“I will take her home,” Nate says, standing next to me. I look over at him with a serious face.

“I’m leaving with you to give you the opportunity to talk and not cause trouble for someone who has been respectful and nice to me.”

“Was this before or after he made it known on national television that he wants you?”

“I don’t belong to you, Nate. You made sure of that, or did you forget?”

He pinches his nose and takes my hand to guide me out of the sports bar. We walk out to the parking lot and there is a black Bentley he unlocks with a key fob. He opens the door and I get in the passenger side.

“How did you know I was here?” I ask as he gets in the driver’s side. The alcohol has made me a little courageous in speaking my mind.

He looks at me as he turns on the car. “I saw you on TV and lost my fucking mind when I saw him kissing you on the cheek, took the next flight out on my private plane, and my publicist got me this car when I landed.”

He drives out and takes me home. After twenty minutes, we reach my apartment, and he gets out of the car after he parks it in the space.

“What are you doing?” I ask.

He smiles. “I am going inside to see your apartment and talk.”

“Why?”

“Because I want to.”

Taking in a deep breath, he follows me inside my apartment as he closes the door. He looks around and I feel vulnerable. He must hate my apartment compared to his house. It is small with minimal furniture and nothing he is used to. It just reminds me how different we truly are. He looks at some pictures of me and Brie and the two of my parents.

He picks up the one of my parents embracing Brie and me. “These are your parents?” he asks.

“Yeah,” I sigh.

“You look like your mom but have your dad’s hair. Must have been nice having parents who look at you like you’re their everything.”

“They are my everything. That picture shows the only family I had. Now it’s just Brie,” I say sadly.

“It’s how I feel about Jaden. He is my best friend and manager, and I trust him completely. How did your parents pass, if you don’t mind me asking?”

I look down as I sit on the edge of my bed. “They died in a car accident when I was away at school. I received a call that they were involved in an accident on the highway, and they didn’t survive. I had to come back from school, and I almost didn’t graduate. Luckily, I completed my senior piece and under the circumstances...” I sigh, “They passed me.”

“That’s because you’re that good.”

I look up at him as he leans on the doorway to my bedroom. “I’m not that good,” I say.

He pushes off the door and comes to stand in front of me, lifting my chin with his finger, and looks at me.

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