Julian’s features tighten even more with anger, and it makes his eyes look black as night. “You fucking lied, Jamie. You said you were a photographer. If you had mentioned you were a student, I wouldn’t have touched you with a ten-foot pole. Do you have any idea how your irresponsible actions will reflect on Carter? I’m his business partner. How the hell am I supposed to work with him now?”
Oh, buddy, you’re dreaming if you think I’m just going to allow you to speak to me like that.
Losing my own temper, I stalk closer to him and square my shoulders. I shove a finger at his chest, and hiss, “Don’t you dare bring my brother-in-law into this fight. I’m not some teenager you can insult, Mr. Reyes. Whether I’m nineteen or twenty-one, doesn’t make a difference. Whether I work or study is not the issue here. We shared a mutual attraction and had sex, but that’s all it was. You need to get over yourself. You’re not as important as you think, and I certainly will not tell a living soul we slept together. Not because of your image, but because of my own. The last thing I want people thinking is I slept my way to the top. I don’t need someone like you in my life. I already have five powerful families standing behind me, and you best remember that before you dare to insult me again.”
While I was talking, Julian’s breathing speeds up, and then he growls, “Just shows how immature you are if you think you’re in any position to threaten me.” He takes an intimidating step closer, which makes my muscles tighten in my body.
“I swear I will slap you into next week. Don’t tempt me,” I say, my voice low and vibrating with rage.
Our eyes lock, and the air around us thickens until it seems explosive.
Julian tilts his head, and a stupid sexy smirk forms around his mouth. Letting out a dark chuckle, he says, “You actually think you’re a match for me, little girl?”
God, help me. Today is the day I’ll land my butt in jail for assault charges.
Before I can answer, he continues, “I’ve faced crazier women than you, and each one of them will regret it for the rest of their miserable lives.”
Knowing he’s Falcon’s older brother, which means Clare Reyes is his mother, and her trial is all over the news, I go in for the kill. “Like your crazy mother? Now I totally get why you act the way you do. The apple must not fall far from the tree.”
The moment the words are out, and I see the pained look on Julian’s face, regret pours through me.
Dang, I was way too harsh.Chapter 4JulianShe did not just say that to me.
Glaring at her face, I try to calm down before I do something stupid. As the seconds tick by, my rage only grows. I can’t remember a time in my life I was this angry.
If she weren’t Carter’s sister-in-law, I would destroy her pathetic little life without feeling an ounce of guilt.
There’s only the sound of our angry breaths, and it reminds me of the breathless night we spent together.
Knowing the situation is too volatile to continue, and I can’t risk my partnership with Indie Ink Publishers for this girl, the businessman in me wins out over my rage.
Giving her one last glare, I walk past her and let myself out.
With every step I take down the hallway as I head for the elevator, my anger continues to grow until it feels like an inferno is building in my chest.
I slam the button, and when the doors open, I stalk inside and press for the ground floor. I feel a sense of deja vu when the doors begin to close, and I see Jamie coming out of her room. It reminds me of the night Falcon, and I had our argument, which led to us making peace.
I’ll never make peace with this woman. I’d much rather bury her alive.
“Julian!”
With my eyes cold on her, I let the door close, and then I exhale a deep breath. Exiting The Hope Diamond, I cross the road and nod my head to a janitor as I pass by him.
“Evening, Mr. Reyes,” he greets before pushing a cart with cleaning supplies toward The Pink Star, which is opposite from The Hope Diamond.
A couple of seconds later, Jamie calls from behind me, “Julian.”
I shut my eyes for a second but then hear a clattering sound. Glancing over my shoulder, I watch as Jamie climbs to her feet after running into the janitor’s cart.
“I’m so sorry,” she apologizes to the man, and I take the chance to disappear around the corner before she can set after me again.
I’m done talking with her. No one compares me to Clare Reyes, a fucking murderer as far as I’m concerned, and gets away with it.