Page 36 of Heist in Paradise

“Like a date rape drug,” Nate said, his head buried back in his arms. His flyaway comment landed like a dagger into my chest. My stomach plummeted.

Jax hummed thoughtfully. “A date rape drug hidden in plain sight. Smart fucker.”

No.

No. No. No.

My throat tightened, and a lump formed that I couldn’t swallow. My hand flew up, clawing at my throat, the skin breaking under my nails.

Not Molly.

Around me, the voices ebbed and faded, like they were speaking from very far away. Or maybe I was disassociating—that was a thing, right? My fingers tingled, but everywhere else went numb, and I didn’t hate it. In fact, I wanted to chase it.

I didn’t want to feel anything.

For a time, I just existed. Staring at nothing, feeling close to nothing. Then something tugged on my ponytail.

It didn’t hurt, but the abrupt sensation drew me back into myself. My head fell back, so I was staring up at Jax with blurred vision.

His brow furrowed. He looked almost concerned, so I knew I’d truly lost touch with reality. He said something I didn’t hear. His hand tugged again, a bit harder, the pain shooting like fire down the back of my neck.

“Olivia.”

I blinked at him dumbly. “You remember my name.” Here I was thinking he’d forgotten it.

His eyes narrowed, then flicked up to the rest of the room. “Everyone out.”

There was movement around me, and then we were alone. Jax’s fingers moved up my ponytail and sank into my hair. His nails scratched soothingly across my scalp.

“Not a cat,” I murmured, blinking wetly.

His lip quirked. “Bet I could make you purr.”

My cheeks went hot. I scrambled after my dignity and tried to squirm away, but he wasn’t having it. His fingers clawed, gripping my hair possessively, refusing to let me go.

“I want a new deal,” I gasped up at him.

That got his interest. “I’m listening.”

“Stay.”

“I’m right here.”

“No, I mean, stay here with me until Salvadore comes back.”

His hand tightened. “Don’t be stupid.”

Fresh tears prickled at my eyes at the brutal hold.

Jax considered me, lingering on the exposed jut of my neck. “You’re angry.”

“Yes,” I hissed.

“You want revenge?”

“More than anything.”

His eyes darkened, burning with that unnerving violence that made me shudder. “You want to become a killer, princess? Make him suffer?”