Chapter 95: You ruined my fun.

I walk past him and climb into the waiting car.

Tonight, I’m not thinking about Lysander Sanchez.

I’m not thinking about his stupid face, his stupid mouth, or the fact that I shot him and somehow still ended up being the one who felt humiliated.

Tonight, I’m finding a handsome man, getting drunk, dancing until my feet hurt, and possibly kissing someone whose name I won’t remember tomorrow.

Preferably someone with better manners than my husband.

When we arrive at the address Victoria sent, my excitement takes a small but noticeable hit.

I stare through the window.

Its a bar, not a club. Not even a particularly lively-looking bar.

Just a bar with dim lights, wooden doors, and people sitting outside talking like they haven’t got a single problem in the world.

I close my eyes.

"You’re kidding me."

Bella leans forward from the seat beside me. "What?"

"This is the place?"

"Yes! Victoria said it’s amazing."

I look at the building again.

There isn’t a single person dancing. Nobody is screaming over loud music and I highly doubt anyone inside is prepared to witness me making questionable life choices.

"I thought we were going to a club."

"What’s wrong with a bar?"

"Nothing," I mutter. "Absolutely nothing. I love bars. Bars are wonderful, bars are where dreams come true."

Bella bursts out laughing.

"You’re so dramatic."

"You have no idea."

We get out, and I follow her inside.

Victoria is already waiting for us at a table near the back. She waves when she spots us, her face lighting up.

"Finally! I thought you two had abandoned me."

Bella rushes over to hug her.

"Never!"

I slide into the seat opposite Victoria and drop my handbag beside me.

She looks me over, grinning.

"Someone dressed to kill tonight."

"Thank you. I’m hoping to commit at least three crimes before midnight."

Victoria laughs. "Oh, this is going to be fun."

A waiter approaches, and we order drinks.

I start with a cocktail. Then another.

Bella orders something fruity, while Victoria insists we try a bottle of something stronger.

I don’t argue.

The drinks keep coming, and the conversation gets louder. Bella tells us an embarrassing story about one of her childhood crushes, Victoria nearly chokes laughing, and I find myself laughing so hard my stomach hurts.

I take another sip of my drink, feeling the warmth spread through my chest.

The edges of the room soften slightly. My cheeks feel warm, and the music sounds better than it did when we arrived.

I lean back in my chair, smiling.

Maybe this wasn’t such a terrible idea after all.

Then my phone lights up on the table.

Lysander Sanchez.

My smile disappears.

I stare at his name for several seconds before picking up the phone.

Bella leans over.

"Is that Lysander?"

I turn the screen facedown.

"No."

Victoria raises an eyebrow.

"That was a very quick no."

I reach for my drink.

"Because the answer is no."

My phone vibrates again but I don’t even look at it this time.

Fine, husband.

You wanted freedom?

Enjoy yours.

Because tonight, I’m enjoying mine.

The music suddenly gets louder, the bass vibrating through the floor as the bartender flashes a signal toward the DJ.

Finally.

I have no idea why Victoria brought us to a bar when what I desperately need is a club, but at least someone has decided to make this place worth my time.

People begin moving toward the open space in the middle of the room, drinks in hand, bodies swaying to the beat.

I drain the last of my cocktail and set the glass on the table.

"Where are you going?" Bella shouts over the music.

"To dance!"

She laughs as I walk away.

I barely make it to the dancing crowd before a man approaches me.

And, boyyyy is hee fine.

He’s tall, with dark hair, a sharp jaw, and a smile that suggests he knows exactly how attractive he is. His shirt is unbuttoned at the collar, revealing a glimpse of his chest.

He says something to me, but the music swallows his words.

I lean closer. "What?

He smiles and offers his hand.

I take it.

Why not?

I step closer, wrap my arms around his neck, and begin dancing with him.

He places his hands on my waist.

I smile.

There. That wasn’t so difficult, was it?

The man spins me gently, and I laugh when I nearly stumble over my own heels. He catches me, pulling me closer, and I decide I like him already.

He’s handsome, he smells good, and he hasn’t insulted me once.

He’s already doing better than my husband.

I turn around, pressing my back against the man’s chest, and move with the music. His hands settle on my waist as I sway my hips, letting the rhythm carry me.

I close my eyes, raise my hands, and let myself forget the world for a few precious seconds.

But before I can say jack the hands on my waist are gone, so is the man behind me.

I frown and turn around.

Oh.

Oh, this is fucking unbelievable.

Lysander stands a few feet away, dressed in black, his expression so murderous that I’m genuinely surprised the people around him haven’t started dropping dead.

His eyes filled with murderous intent are fixed on me.

I smile.

Well, well, well.

Lysander yanks the unfortunate man closer and says something directly into his ear. I can’t hear a word over the music, but whatever he says must be terrifying because the man’s face drains of color.

Lysander releases him and the stranger doesn’t hesitate. He practically sprints into the crowd, disappearing between dancing bodies like the devil himself is chasing him.

I stare after him.

Then I slowly turn back to my husband.

"What the hell is wrong with you?"

Lysander’s jaw tightens when I take a step toward him, glaring.

"What did you do that for? I was having fun!"

"If you want him to live, you’ll stop talking and go sit your ass down."

I genuinely cannot believe the audacity of this man.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me."

"Oh, I heard you perfectly." I gesture toward the crowd. "But I don’t remember asking for your permission to dance."

His eyes narrow.

"Don’t test me, Nerissa."

"Or what? You’ll drag me out of here? Lock me in my bedroom? Put another gun in my mouth?."

I fold my arms across my chest.

"I can dance on whoever the fuck I want, Lysander. Isn’t that what you said to me earlier? I took you for everything but not a hypocrite."

His expression turns glacial.

"Watch your mouth."

He steps closer, and I have to fight the ridiculous urge to step back. He’s infuriatingly tall, and his presence seems to suck the air out of everything around him.

But I’m not giving him the satisfaction.

"You came here to make a point," he says quietly. "Congratulations. You’ve made it."

I tilt my head.

"And what point is that?"

Before he can respond, Isabella appears between us.

"Oh, absolutely not."

She looks from Lysander to me.

"Whatever is happening here, stop it."

"Tell your friend to mind her business," Lysander says.

Bella gasps.

"Her friend? I’m your sister, you absolute caveman!"

Despite myself, I almost laugh.

She grabs Lysander’s arm.

"Okay, no fighting now. Let’s all sit and drink a bit. Come on, big bro."

Lysander doesn’t move. His gaze remains fixed on me and i stare right back.

Then I roll my eyes.

"Fine."

I turn on my heel and walk away before he can say another word.

Victoria is still at our table, watching the entire exchange with wide eyes. I drop into the seat beside her and reach for my drink.

Bella arrives a moment later, practically dragging her brother behind her.

I pointedly ignore him as he takes the seat opposite me. He can sit over there and ruin his own evening.

Victoria leans toward me.

"Are you okay?"

"I’m wonderful."

She glances at Lysander, then back at me.

"That didn’t look wonderful."

I take a long sip of my drink.

"He’s just a freaking party pooper."