Twisted Hate (Twisted, 3)

The textbook definition of insanity was doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.

My definition of insanity was entering into a sexual arrangement with Josh Chen.

I blamed my hormones and law school. If I weren’t so busy, I wouldn’t have to resort to sleeping with the enemy. Literally.

We hadn’t had sex since our pact last week, but it would happen eventually. I was already getting antsy thinking about it. My vibrators were fine when they were all I had, but now that regular and, as much as I hated to admit it, great sex was an option, my body was screaming at me to make up for years of orgasms lost during law school.

I tried to ignore the persistent buzz beneath my skin as Alex, Ava, Stella, and I entered Hyacinth, a hot new club on 14^th Street.

I would not think about him tonight, not around Ava. That was just wrong.

Plus, I was paranoid she’d developed mutant mind reading powers and could tell whenever I was thinking about her brother.

I snuck a glance at her, but she was too busy talking to Alex to notice my guilty expression.

“This place is insane.” Stella tilted her head up to examine the giant waterfall chandelier hanging above us. Strands of crystals dripped over three tiers and reflected the lights flashing through the club. Music pulsed through the room and reverberated in my bones, adding to the contagious energy climbing up my spine.

I’d missed this, the feeling of being alive and out in the world instead of cooped up in a library. Ava and Stella liked their alone time, but I thrived on a crowd’s energy. It gave me more buzz than any caffeine or adrenaline hit.

“Only the best to celebrate our new home.” I bumped my hip against hers. “Can you believe it? I thought Pam would have a heart attack.”

After weeks of waiting, Stella and I had finally moved into The Mirage. We’d picked up our keys from an irritated Pam that morning and spent the rest of the day unpacking with help from our friends. Now, we were celebrating with a well-deserved night of drinks and dancing at the hottest new club in town.

Stella shook her head. “Only you would sound so happy about that.”

“Can’t help it. She makes it so easy.” I flashed a mischievous smile. “I promise we’ll be the best tenants ever.”

“J, I swear to God, if you get us kicked out of the building…”

“I won’t. Have more faith in me. But if seeing us around raises her blood pressure…” I shrugged. “That’s not our fault.”

Stella sighed and shook her head again.

Ava touched my arm. “Alex and I are going to grab a table. You guys coming?” Only the roped-off VIP area contained tables, but I wasn’t surprised Alex could finagle us access.

I was surprised he’d helped us unpack, though that was one hundred percent Ava’s doing. He’d worn the same grumpy look he was wearing now all day.

“Later. I’m scoping out the floor first.” I appreciated a good VIP area as much as anybody, but I wasn’t sequestering myself on my first night out in months. “You go ahead. I’ll meet up with you guys in a bit.’ I patted Alex’s shoulder. “Smile. It’s not illegal.”

His stony expression didn’t budge.

Oh, well. I tried.

While Alex, Ava, and Stella made their way to the VIP area, I pushed my way to the bar. I’ll do a lap of the dance floor later, see if anything interesting was happening, then join them.

I was the one who’d suggested we go clubbing tonight, even though we were all tired from unpacking, so I didn’t blame them if they wanted to chill. Honestly, we should’ve stayed in, but it was my last semi-free night before graduation. I had to do something before bar prep took over my life, and our new apartment was as good an excuse for a celebration as any.

I placed my order for a whiskey sour and scanned the club while I waited. Gold outline sketches of hyacinths snaked over the black walls while fresh bouquets of the actual flower dotted the modular tables scattered throughout the room. A green-haired DJ pumped out remixes from his platform overlooking the dance floor, and servers in skimpy black uniforms circulated with trays of shots. It was leagues above what other D.C. nightspots had to offer, and I could see why Hyacinth was so pop—

My phone buzzed with a new text.

Annoyance and anticipation swirled in my chest when I saw who it was.

Josh: Tonight, midnight.

We’d agreed to keep our communications short, to the point, and vague enough that if anyone saw them, we could explain them away with a creative excuse. His text met all three criteria, but still.

What happened to a good old-fashioned hey, how are you first?

Me: Can’t. I’m busy.

Josh: Too busy for an orgasm?

Me: Your fragile ego can’t take a postponement? If that’s the case, this isn’t going to work…

For once, Josh ignored the bait.

Josh: Tomorrow, 10pm. My place.

Josh: P.S. You’re going to pay for the fragile ego comment…

My breath hitched, and I was in the middle of typing out a reply when I heard my name, loud and clear, over the pounding music.

“Jules.”

I froze, ice trickling through my veins at the sound of that voice.

It couldn’t be him. I was in D.C. How could he have possibly found me, in this club on this night?

My mind was playing tricks on me. It had to be.

But when I raised my head, my eyes confirmed what my brain desperately wanted to deny.

Light brown hair. Blue eyes. Cleft chin.

No. Panic clawed up my throat, rendering me mute.

“Hey, J.” Max smiled, the sight more menacing than reassuring. “Long time no see.”