I stared at Jace’s face–so familiar, so tangled up in my past. How was I supposed to see him as a


    stranger?


    But he needed to drop the idea. Forcing a faint smile, I said, “I already do.”


    His hand trembled against mine before I pulled away, stood up, and walked out.


    Later, I skimmed the file he’d sent me. It matched what Cole told me the day before, with extra


    details about Xander’s family. Clearly, Jace wanted me to know one thing: Xander wasn’t Hayden.


    When I finished reading, Iughed.


    Around noon, I called Cole back. Maybe he was salty I’d ignored himst night because he didn’t


    pick up.


    Whatever. I didn’t bother calling again.


    That evening, I headed to DracoLux. This time, I went straight to the lobby manager. “I’m here to


    see Cole. Tell him Ms. Kay is looking for him.”


    “Right this way, Ms. Kay!” The manager practically tripped over himself to help me–Cole had clearly


    prepped them for my arrival.


    All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Smart move on his part. He probably figured I was digging for dirt and wanted to stay ahead of me.


    In the room they showed me to, I kept it simple when they asked what I wanted: just fruit and drinks,


    no mention of Xander.


    If Cole wanted to dangle him as bait, I’d let him squirm for a bit.


    “It didn’t take long for Cole to stroll in. “Knew you’d show up today.”


    “I’m here to settle the bill,” I replied, sliding a check across the table. The amount was exactly what


    we’d agreed


    1. on.


    Cole ignored it, his gaze pinned on me. “That’s it? Just settling the bill?”


    “What else? Looking for someone to spend the night with?” I asked, matching his tone.


    “Too bad–Xander’s on leave. You won’t see him for a while,” Cole said, his smirk dripping with


    mischief.


    “Who said it had to be him?” I replied.


    He rubbed his nose awkwardly.


    “You’re not… interested in Xander?” he asked.


    “He’s a knockoff with a recycled face,” I shot back. “I’m not dumb enough to mistake a toy for the


    real thing.”


    One sentence, and I’d cut Xander down to nothing.


    Message sent: I wasn’t biting on Cole’s bait.


    Cole nodded. “Typical Johnston ir. Your taste really is top–notch.”


    “Take the check,” I said, pressing the call button for staff. Send in two people to pour drinks,”


    Cole pocketed the check, still smiling. “Tonight’s on me. Take as many male models as you want.”


    I didn’t hold back. I called in a few more guys and let them sit around, sipping drinks. They were


    getting paid anyway, so why not?


    1/2


    Of course, I slipped Xander’s name into the conversation here and there, but none of them cracked


    They’d clearly been warned to keep their mouths shut.


    I didn’t push it. Forcing answers wasn’t worth the energy. By 10 p.m., I’d had enough and left.


    For the next few days, I stayed away from DracoLux. Meanwhile, Wayne cranked up his charm.


    Unlike Jace, he was smart—he didn’t bring up Xander at all.


    Since he avoided it, so did L. When he asked me to dinner, I agreed. I knew Cole had eyes on me


    and wasn’t about to give anything away too soon.


    A weekter, I returned to DracoLux. That’s when I spotted Xander, heading into a private room


    with a pack of male models.


    Minutester, the sound of ss shattering and yelling came from their direction


    Something was definitely off. I didn’t think twice–I got up and rushed toward the chaos.


    Inside, Xander stood in the middle of the mess, broken ss scattered around him. He faced a


    group of big shots.