Chapter 12
Savannah
By the time I stepped into the Carrion Hotel, my coat was damp from the rain, and my hair carried the faint chill of November with it.
The lobby glowed in warm golds and creams with polished marble floors, low crystal chandeliers, and plush seating arranged with intentional elegance.
The kind of place that whispered money without ever raising its voice.
Of course Chase would choose somewhere like this.
I clocked the familiar faces almost immediately.
Wedding guests dotted the lounge—a few of his colleagues from the company, some of Lori’s friends, a couple of extended family members who smiled too tightly when they spotted me.
I hated their pity smiles. I didn't need them.
Still, I returned their smiles politely before pivoting to go straight to the bar.
Waiting at the bar was way better than sitting through sympathetic small talk.
The bar was quieter. Safe. Neutral ground.
I slid onto a stool and set my purse neatly at my side. The bartender appeared within seconds, crisp white shirt and a white towel thrown over his shoulder.
“What can I get you?”
“Just water, please,” I said. “No ice.”
He nodded and poured some water into a chilled glass before passing it to me, disappearing just as fast as he came over. I exhaled softly once my hands wrapped around the cool glass and let my shoulders relax.
Coming to the hotel early wasn’t exactly the plan, but I figured the earlier I got here, the earlier I could leave. Besides, there was no need to torture myself more than necessary. Seeing Lori and Chase open wedding presents was torture enough.
I fished my phone out of my purse as I brought the glass to my lips. Above the bar, the sounds of a hockey game dragged my attention to the flatscreen TV.
“… and it's Landon Cole who's dominating on the ice tonight, Jim, again proving why he’s one of the league’s most valuable players.”
“That's right, Frank. It doesn't get better than this.
And here's Preston on the assist. Cole takes the lead, securing the puck with absolute ease there.
They're heading to the box, it's now or never for the Wolves here. Cole takes the shot… shoots… and he scores! Another goal for the Westfort Wolves—”
When my phone dinged, I dropped my gaze to my phone, shaking my head at Nerissa's text.
NERISSA
The bride fall down a flight of stairs yet?
SAVANNAH
Will you stop? ??
NERISSA
What? I'm just a concerned citizen
SAVANNAH
I can't believe you made me wear this top.
It was a satin corset top with puffy long sleeves and a square neckline that showed way too much cleavage. Needless to say, it was the first and last time I'd let Nerissa convince me to wear something.
NERISSA
You look sexy in that top.
There's no way that ex is going to be able to keep his eyes off you
Aaaand neither will Jax ??
You’re welcome.
I'm not touching that Jaxon reference with a ten-foot pole.
SAVANNAH
It’s way too much cleavage.
NERISSA
Girl, it’s barely anything!
The corset just… pushes up a little.
Besides, you need to stand out today.
I took another slow sip of water.
SAVANNAH
I don’t need to stand out.
I need to survive.
Three dots. Then—
NERISSA
You’ll do both.
And who knows, you might get a pleasant surprise from your boo ??
I rolled my eyes so hard it nearly hurt.
SAVANNAH
He's not my boo and you know it.
I leaned back slightly, my eyes drifting to the rain-streaked windows, ignoring the warm feeling settling in my chest. None of it mattered when it came to him.
Not his laugh.
Not the way he looked at me.
Not the way my body reacted whenever he put his hands on me.
I shut that door firmly.
This was a performance—a strategy, a finite arrangement with an expiration date—nothing more. Our paths were too scarred to consider anything more.
Not that I was considering it or anything.
“There you are.”
The voice came from behind me, and my spine straightened at the low, familiar tone.
I turned, and there he was.
Jaxon stood a step away, rain-darkened hair pushed back from his face and a white button-up stretched tight across his shoulders and chest. His tattoos were on display today with sleeves rolled to his forearms, almost adding to his dangerous allure.
He finished the look with light jeans and boots, an effortless combination that on anyone else would look just fine. Jaxon Cage was anything but just fine.
Before I could brace myself, he closed the distance.
One hand wrapped around my waist in a quick, tight hug and his lips brushed the side of my neck as he murmured, “Hey, trouble.”
The contact sent a shiver straight down my spine.
It was subtle and infuriating.
Why does my body keep betraying me?
I do not want Jaxon Cage.
My stomach fluttered anyway, like my silent protest didn't matter, and his cologne tickled my nose. God, he smelled good. Why did he have to smell so good?
He pulled back just enough to look at me properly.
His gaze dragged from my boots to my hips, lingered at my waist, then climbed back up to my face like he was savoring the view.
“Damn,” he said quietly. “You look… incredible.”
I forced myself not to squirm under his attention. “You look… alright.”
One dark brow arched and the edge of his lips curled.
“Just alright?” He leaned in, successfully pressing me against the bar. My breathing hitched when his head dipped, whispering in my ear, “That’s it? I give you incredible and I get alright?”
I rolled my eyes, but my lips betrayed me by curving upward. “What exactly were you expecting?”
When he pulled back, the lazy smile on his lips promised mischief. “Oh, I don't know. Handsome, desirable, tempting, absolutely irresistible.”
“Wow, I'm surprised those words are in your vocabulary.”
That earned me a squeeze at my waist.
“Very funny.”
Smiling sweetly, I took a half-step back, needing air. Control. “I thought it was.” I flicked my gaze pointedly to his wrist. “Surprised you’re on time. Guess the watch worked wonders, huh?”
He glanced down then back up at me, his grin turning wicked. “Guess I should thank my girlfriend. Do you take your thanks in hugs? Kisses? Sexting—”
I scoffed. “Don’t push it.”
“Oh, I’m absolutely pushing it.” His eyes sparkled. “You look like you could handle it.”
“You have no idea how much I can handle.”
Heat crept up my neck before I could stop it.
Was I… flirting with him?
The realization hit me like a splash of cold water.
I opened my mouth to regain footing—logic, boundaries, professionalism, something—but before I could, boisterous laughter cut through the low hum of the lobby. Jaxon’s attention shifted over my shoulder, his posture tensing and his jaw setting.
I followed his line of sight.
The hotel entrance erupted with noise with a familiar group stepping inside. Their coats were damp and their voices were too loud, already staking their claim on the space.
And Chase was at the center of them.
My chest tightened at the sight of him. He laughed at something one of his friends said, fist-bumped another, then scanned the room. It was only when his eyes landed on me, he paused.
His eyes raked down my body with a familiar heat in his eyes—a heat that dimmed when he noticed how close Jaxon was standing to me.
I expected to feel something when I looked at him, but all I felt was betrayal.
Maybe triumph that I got a reaction out of him, too.
But not the silly feeling of want. No, nothing he could do or say would fix that.
I looked away first.
Jaxon didn’t say anything. He turned to face me again, eyes locking with mine and a finger tracing along the lines of exposed skin at my waist. Whether he knew it or not, he was drawing a silent line in the sand—making Chase understand that this was where my loyalties lay now.
Chase’s voice cut through the room, loud and practiced, the kind meant to command attention without ever asking for it.
“Alright, alright—let’s get this party started!” he boomed, clapping his hands together. “Everyone find a seat somewhere—that includes you, Dex! And I swear, if someone showed up empty-handed—”
Laughter rippled through the lounge.
Everyone laughed except me.
And Jaxon.
I watched the crowd shift, chairs scraping softly against marble as people gathered into a loose semicircle around Lori and Chase. I felt the moment narrowing, the walls pressing in, the past breathing too close to my back.
Jaxon turned to me, a slow, knowing smirk curving his mouth. “Ready for some fun?”
I didn’t answer.
My heartbeat was loud enough to drown out the room.
Without waiting, he lifted a finger beneath my chin and tipped my face up until my eyes met his. The teasing was gone now, replaced with something steady, intentional.
“Follow my lead,” he murmured.
There it was again. That calm confidence. That sense that he’d already decided we weren’t shrinking today.
I hesitated, losing a little of my resistance in his whiskey brown eyes. Suddenly, I was grateful he was here—that I didn't have to face this alone.
I nodded, and that was all he needed.
His fingers threaded through mine, and he pulled me forward. We crossed the room together, my heeled boots clicking sharply against the marble, each step measured, deliberate. I could feel the weight of eyes tracking us, but Jaxon didn't appear phased at all.
Jaxon didn’t rush. He led me with confidence and composure, as if he was the one in control here and the entire room was simply there to serve him.
We walked on the outskirts of the semi-circle, going to the remaining chairs.
When we got to the other side, he did the unspeakable and dragged one of the high chairs across the floor with an unapologetic scrape, positioning it just off to the right—close enough to be included, far enough to be intentional.
Then, without ceremony, he sat.
And pulled me with him.