Chapter 27
Chapter Twenty-Seven
JAXON/JAX
Eight Months Before Now
Wedding Bells & Sinister Stares
Hell is watching the woman you love destroy herself and being powerless to stop it.
“You’re not listening to a word I’m saying, are you?” Cindy’s voice cuts through my laser focus on Livianna, who’s currently throwing back her fourth vodka soda like it’s water and she’s been wandering the desert for days.
“I'm listening,” I lie.
Livianna leans closer to Quinn Foster, one of my best investment banking analysts. Their laughter carries across the reception like bugle horns.
I try to will Livianna to look at me as I answer Cindy. “You were telling me about your new investment portfolio.”
“I was telling you about my sister’s engagement.” Cindy follows my gaze. Her perfectly manicured fingers rest on my forearm with a possessive claim. “But clearly your attention is elsewhere.”
She’s right. Every cell in my body is tuned to Livianna’s frequency, tracking her movements, cataloging every gesture, every sip, and every moment her fingers drift toward her wrists in that unconscious habit that makes my chest constrict with panic.
She hasn’t cut in over a year, but the urge lives in her muscle memory. It surfaces when she’s overwhelmed, hurt, or feeling like the world is spinning too fast to catch.
When she catches herself wanting to do it, she asks me to create a scene for her so she can release the underlying tension, knowing I’ll be there to care for her when it’s over.
Tonight, while she drowns her pain in premium vodka, I recognize that familiar restlessness in the way she touches her skin.
“Oh my God, is that little Livianna Hemings?” Cindy’s voice takes on a tone of manufactured delight that makes my blood run cold. “She looks exactly the same as she did when she was seventeen. Still so...young.”
The emphasis she places on the word “young” feels like a deliberate blade aimed at something vulnerable.
Her gaze catches with Livianna’s. Her shoulders tense. I notice even from across the garden, she felt the sting of whatever memory Cindy just weaponized.
“We should go say hello.” Her grip on my arm becomes a vice as she pulls me toward the bar. “I have such fond memories of that girl.”
Every instinct I have screams that this is a mistake, that whatever Cindy has planned will blow up like a bomb in Livianna's face, but I’m trapped by the evening’s politics and my own secrets I’ve sworn to keep safe.
“Livianna, sweetheart!” Cindy’s voice rings out as we approach, sweet as poisoned honey. “You look absolutely radiant. Still hiding in bathrooms at parties, I hope.”
The color drains from Livianna’s face so fast, I think she might faint. My gaze follows her fingers when they press against her wrists with enough pressure to leave marks.
Quinn’s eyes narrow with protective instinct as she steps closer to Livianna, clearly recognizing a threat even if she doesn’t understand the context.
“Cindy.” Livianna holds her head high. “How lovely to see you again.”
“The pleasure is all mine, sweetheart.” Cindy eyes Livianna up and down. “Though you might want to slow down on the drinks. You’re so tiny, I’m sure you can’t handle that much alcohol. Besides, I thought you indulged in other chemicals that raise your spirits.”
Livianna’s composure cracks. Her blue eyes flash with a combination of humiliation and rage that makes me want to drag Cindy away from her before she inflicts any more damage.
“Ladies, perhaps we should—” I start, but Quinn cuts me off with a glare that could freeze hellfire.
“I’m sorry, but who exactly are you?” Quinn carries herself with the authority that comes from years of negotiating million-dollar deals and refusing to back down from bullies in three-thousand-dollar suits.
“My name’s Cindy. I’m Livianna’s parents’ financial advisor.” She extends her hand with grace, but there’s something predatory in her smile. “I’m Jaxon’s date this evening and an old friend of Livianna’s.”
“How old of a friend?” Quinn doesn’t shake her hand. Instead, she crosses her arms in a gesture that screams territorial protection. “Because from where I’m standing, it sounds like you’re about to go into some pretty specific memories about someone who would’ve been a teenager at the time.”
The observation lands harshly. Cindy’s mask slips for just a moment, revealing something ugly underneath the polished exterior.
“Well, Livianna was always very mature for her age.” Cindy recovers quickly, her voice dripping with false sweetness. “Weren’t you, Livianna? Always so eager to play with the grown-ups even though you were far from ready.”
Livianna’s hand moves to her wrist again, and this time she doesn’t just touch. She digs her nails in with enough force that white marks bloom against her tattooed skin. The sight makes my vision tunnel with hostility and panic in equal measure.
“That’s enough.” My words cut through the hostile atmosphere. “Cindy, perhaps you should—”
“Should what?” Her laugh is sharp. “Stop reminiscing about old times? But Livianna and I had such fun together at her parents’ party.
Remember that night when you tried so hard to fit in with the adults.
You were just dreaming of playing in the big leagues back then, but I hear you’ve made a few minor strides lately. Good for you.”
The cruelty in her tone makes my hands clench into fists, but it’s the way Livianna flinches like she’s been struck that pushes me past the point of civilized behavior.
“Cindy, that’s—”
“Ancient history.” Livianna’s steady now, but empty in a way that’s infinitely more terrifying than her earlier brittleness. “Just like everything else from when I was too young to know better.”
She raises her glass to Cindy in a toast that looks like a declaration of war. “To growing up and learning to recognize poison when it’s served with a smile.”
“Oh, how dramatic.” Cindy claps her hands together like she’s watching a particularly entertaining show. “You always were such a little actress, weren’t you? Though I suppose some people never outgrow the need for attention.”
Quinn steps forward, her glare blazing with fury that comes from watching someone kick a wounded animal. “You know what? I think it’s time for you to fuck off.”
“Excuse me?” Cindy’s voice rises with shock. “Did you just—”
“I said fuck off.” Quinn’s grin is all teeth and no warmth. “You heard me correctly the first time. Now either walk away from my friend, or I’ll make sure everyone at this wedding knows exactly what kind of person goes after teenagers at family parties.”
The threat hangs in the air like heavy, dark smoke. Cindy seems to be calculating whether the potential scandal is worth whatever satisfaction she’s getting from torturing Livianna.
“How refreshing to meet someone with such...colorful language.” Cindy’s clutch on my arm tightens to the point of pain. “Jaxon, perhaps you should have a word with your employee about appropriate professional behavior.”
The assumption that I’ll take her side and that I’ll prioritize her comfort over Livianna’s well-being makes something savage rise in my chest.
“Actually, I think Quinn is handling this exactly as she should.” I stare at Cindy, letting her see the anger in my expression. “Perhaps it’s time we rejoined the other guests.”
For a moment, Cindy seems genuinely surprised, like she expected me to fall in line with her cruelty. Then her mask slips back into place, and she releases my arm with deliberate casualness.
“Of course, handsome. Though I do hope we can continue catching up later, Livianna. There’s so much more to reminisce about.” The promise in her words feels like a threat.
Livianna holds her composure, but there’s a fracture surrounding her. Cindy glides away with the satisfaction of someone who’s accomplished exactly what she set out to do.
I glance over my shoulder only to see Livianna turn on her heels and order another drink. And there’s nothing I can do to make it better for her other than stay by Cindy’s side and keep her away from Livianna.
“You’re more spiteful than I remember.” I grind on my molars.
Cindy cuddles into my side, not picking up on any clue I’m not interested. She’s still into cocaine like she was back then, but instead of looking forward to the effect that held in the bedroom at the end of the night, I’m wondering how the hell I’ll make this up to the woman I love.
Cindy giggles. “I’m not being spiteful. I just thought I’d have a little fun.”
“At someone else’s expense. Someone who didn’t deserve it.”
“Oh, my. You seem defensive of Livianna. Is there something I should know?”
“Not at all, but you of all people know I’m friends with her father, and he would hate the way you just treated her.”
Cindy’s stance melts against me. “Shit. I wasn’t thinking about Greg.”
“Obviously. Maybe you should in the future. He’s not someone I would want on my bad side.”
She shudders. “Yeah, me either.”
“Then that settles it.” I step away just enough to give us space and pretend to straighten out my jacket. “You’ll apologize to Livianna before we leave tonight.”
Cindy peeks over at me with those sinful eyes. “Does that mean I’m getting a spanking later?”
I just shake my head and look away. Fuck me. If this night isn’t a disaster waiting to knock me down a level or two. And with Livianna staying with her parents until she finds a house to buy, I’m afraid the damage is only just beginning.
The next morning arrives with a brutal kick of Los Angeles sunshine that makes hangovers feel like divine punishment. I find myself standing on the steps of the Hemings estate with a bouquet of excuses and a chest full of guilt.
“Jaxon, what a pleasant surprise.” Lorna opens the door, wearing a soft bamboo robe and a smile, suggesting she’s still riding the high of last night’s matchmaking triumph. “I wasn’t expecting to see you.”