Chapter 2

The wedding dress was ankle-length. My fiancé and I picked it out together.

I lifted the skirt, walking past Jax and toward City Hall.

He grabbed my wrist. Hard. His grip felt like it could shatter the bone.

He lowered his voice. A raw edge of panic in it. “Clara, have you had enough? You really think I won’t lose my shit?”

“If you’re so desperate for a wedding, go inside and grab some bum off the street. Do me a favor. Then you can stop harassing me.”

I looked at his face. I didn’t even have the energy to be angry.

Just disappointed. Sad.

The boy who used to get into fights if someone said one bad word about me was gone.

I shook my head, trying to pull my hand back. But suddenly, Chloe was there.

“Jax!” she called out.

He let go of me instantly. Like he’d been burned.

He was terrified she’d think he still had feelings for me. To prove his loyalty, he pulled a sanitizing wipe from his pocket and scrubbed the hand that had touched me.

Like I was something filthy.

Chloe clicked over in her Louboutins. “Jax, what are you doing here?”

“Clara, are you getting married today? You’re even in a wedding dress! Oh my god, I thought it was Halloween.”

Jax glanced around nervously. He couldn’t even admit he’d used me for a bet.

In a panic, he grabbed one of his lackeys, shoved him roughly toward me, and laughed. “You guessed it, Chloe! Today’s the big day for Clara and Mickey!”

“We’re all here to celebrate with them.”

His friends all jumped in.

“Yeah, yeah, Chloe! It’s Clara and Mickey’s big day! We’re just here to wish them well!”

I looked at Mickey. Shorter than me, reeking of booze, a stupid grin on his face. I felt sick.

Jax saw Chloe still looked skeptical. He started pushing me and Mickey toward the entrance.

“Hurry, hurry! Go get your license! Chloe’s watching!”

He pushed me so hard I stumbled. Mickey, now feeling bold, grabbed my hand. His other hand snaked around my waist, slithering up my back.

His foul, boozy breath hit my neck. “Clara,” he whispered, “Jax doesn’t want you anyway. How about a quickie in the bathroom? You look like you’re dying for it…”

Jax saw Mickey’s hand on my waist. His face darkened. He took half a step forward, like he was about to kick the guy away.

But then he glanced at Chloe. And he stopped. He covered his anger with more mockery, his voice dripping with scorn.

I couldn’t take it anymore. My stomach churned. I raised my hand.

CRACK.

The slap echoed. I brought my knee up hard into his gut.

Mickey screamed, clutching his stomach as he stumbled back, nearly falling on his ass.

I wasn’t done. I grabbed a heavy brochure from a nearby stand and slammed it into his face.

“Get the hell away from me! Don’t you ever touch me with your filthy hands!”

Jax watched me explode. He wasn’t angry. He looked smug.

He raised his voice, making a show of it. “Wow, Clara. I know you want to save yourself for me, but you don’t have to get violent. Who else would put up with a psycho like you?”

“Mickey, you got balls, man! Trying to mess with a crazy bitch like her!”

Chloe beamed, adding her own fake congratulations.

“Clara, I used to worry about you. I’m so happy you’ve found a husband and are starting a family! Congratulations! I know Mickey’s reputation isn’t the best, but at least it’s something.”

I just stared at Jax, who was still laughing.

My voice was cold. “You’re right. I am getting married. But not to any of you lowlifes. My fiancé is inside handling the paperwork right now. Save your congratulations for later.”

Jax’s smile froze on his face.

He stared into my calm eyes. For a second, his heart skipped a beat. But then it turned into a cold, dismissive sneer.