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Jack: I won't. Be right there.

I patiently waited until I heard Cian and Finnian come back inside. They each went their separate ways leaving me alone. Excitement made my stomach knot. I shoved a leg out of the window and carefully made my way out. It took only a few moments to lower the window, replace the screen, and leave it a bit cracked so I could get back in without having to use the door.

I listened, trying to make sure I couldn't hear Cian lurking around somewhere. Apparently, even psychos needed to sleep, or take a shower, or whatever he was doing because no one came after me. I rounded the house and carefully moved the door to the gate. The moment my feet hit the driveway, I felt like I was free. I could have whooped, danced, and hollered. Instead, I forced myself to get moving.

Around the corner, three blocks down, lights flashed at me. I grinned as I raced toward the car.

"Finally!" Sayge yelled. "Get in already!"

I laughed as I opened the door to the backseat. Sayge scooted over and I took the seat behind Calvin. He smiled at me, but was quiet otherwise. Dar on the other hand twisted around and looked me up and down.

"Hey, Jack!" He yelled. "Ready to get fucked up?"

"You know it," I said.

Sayge laid a hand over my shoulders. "That's what we love to hear."

"Get out of here," I said as I nodded for him to drive. "If I get caught, I'm dead."

Cal took off and I was finally able to blow out a breath. Just for a few hours. I needed to blow off some steam.

CHAPTER FIVE

JACK

Loud music thumpedthrough the stereos echoing in my ears and through my veins. As soon as I hit the darkened room, the lights flashing, bodies pressed together, and the heat that surrounded us, I felt like I was right at home. I ditched my hoodie back in the car and I was glad I did now. At least I wasn't going to melt to death in the heat.

"Want a drink?" Sayge called over the noise.

"Yeah! A screwdriver!" I yelled.

Sayge shoved a thumbs up in my direction. "Be right back!"

He wove through the crowd expertly as if he was born to move through it. Everyone that looked his way either moved out of the way or admired him and then moved out of the way. I grinned, shaking my head as he half walked, half danced his way to the bar. Sayge never failed to be entertaining. I glanced around. Cal was chasing after Sayge, muttering something in his ear. And Dar? He was either dancing or possessed by a demon. I couldn't tell which.

At least he's enjoying himself.

I had to admit, the beat made me move too. Finally, I could relax and unleash the pent up irritation that had been growing in my body since I'd returned from college. Even after I came back, after doing what my father wanted, he insisted that I didn't need to lead. That I didn't need to take his place when he was done. I'd done my part, going off to school to get the education he demanded I get, now that I was back, I wanted things to go my way.

But that wasn't happening.

"Here you go!" Sayge yelled over the crowd as he passed me my drink.

I took it, thanked him, and drank it all down in one go. The warmth that filled my chest immediately made me feel like a brick was lifted from my chest. Sayge whistled.

"Either you were thirsty or you're really stressed out."

I shrugged. "Fuck it, let's dance. I don't want to talk."

Sayge grinned. "I communicate better with my body anyway," he said as he winked. "Want to dance with me?"

I shook my head at Sayge's flirting. "Yes, but don't be all up on me. Isn't your boyfriend super dangerous?"

"My Daddy would kill us both," he purred. "But that's part of the fun, you know?"

"For who!" I exclaimed. "I don't want to die, thanks."

Sayge laughed as he took my hand and led me to the dance floor. Cal and Dar joined us. While Cal was more reserved, Dar's dancing was a mix of grinding and karate moves that I steered clear of so I wouldn't get hit in the face. Sayge and I danced together the most. Even with all his flirting, he was a good friend. We danced until I started to sweat. A quick trip to the bar, a refill on our drinks, and we went right back to it.

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