Chapter Seventeen – Nova POV
The bass rattled through my bones, shaking the glass in my hand. Heat pressed into me from every side, bodies grinding, perfume and sweat choking the air.
And then—him.
Damien Blackwood. Across the room. A girl plastered to him, her hands shameless on his chest, her mouth grazing his throat.
The sight punched something ugly into my stomach. My skin flushed, hot and cold all at once.
I couldn't stand it. Couldn't breathe.
Why?
Before I knew what I was doing, I was pushing through the crowd, nails biting into my palms, heels clicking too fast against the floor. I didn't care if Tessa followed. I needed out.
The hallway outside was darker, blessedly quieter. My breath came sharp, too loud in the silence as I stormed away, trying—failing—to shake the image of his hands on someone else.
The door clicked shut behind me.
"Running away?"
His voice.
Low. Dangerous. Poison sliding under my skin.
I froze. Slowly turned.
