Chapter 58 AT THE PARTY 2
“Troy! Troy, where are you going?” I called after him as he pushed through the clouds, leaving me standing there—alone.
Before I could even blink, he disappeared completely into the haze.
Great. Now what?
What exactly was I supposed to do here all by myself?
Frustration bubbled inside me, sharp and sudden. I took a deep breath, forcing myself to calm down, then decided to explore my surroundings. I couldn’t just stand there doing nothing—not when everyone else seemed to know exactly where they were headed.
A waiter suddenly stopped in front of me, offering a glass of champagne. I hesitated for a second before taking it. He moved on almost immediately, weaving through the crowd to serve others.
I took a small sip.
The moment the taste hit my tongue, my eyes widened slightly. Sweet. Smooth. Pleasant.
Well… since I was already here, I might as well make the best of it.
I finished the drink quickly, then spotted another waiter. I handed over the empty glass and picked up another drink—this time, a martini.
Big mistake.
The cold liquid barely touched my tongue before regret set in. It wasn’t sweet at all. It was dry. Bitter. Almost salty. I grimaced and quickly set the glass down on the nearest table.
Definitely not my drink.
As I continued scanning the room, my eyes landed on someone familiar.
Jaxon.
He stood tall, hands tucked casually into his pockets, looking far more put-together than when he’d left the car. The tailored suit fit him perfectly, and for a moment, I forgot how annoyed I’d been earlier.
Finally. A familiar face.
I never thought there would come a time when I’d actually be glad to see him.
I pushed through the crowd, my gaze fixed on him, afraid that if I looked away for even a second, he’d disappear into the haze just like Troy had.
But before I could reach him, a woman appeared.
She looked about my age—maybe younger. Beautiful. Her red dinner gown hugged her slender figure effortlessly, drawing attention as she approached him from behind. She tapped lightly on Jaxon’s shoulder, a bright, confident smile lighting up her face.
When Jaxon turned around, she didn’t hesitate.
She threw herself into his arms.
My steps slowed. Then stopped altogether.
Something tight and uncomfortable settled in my chest as I instinctively took a few steps back, retreating into the safety of the crowd.
They looked like an item.
I stood there, watching. Even though Jaxon didn’t return the hug, didn’t wrap his arms around her the way I expected, they still looked close—too close for comfort.
Just then, I spotted Troy again. He was leading a small group toward Jaxon. One of the men was unmistakable—Jaxon’s father. The resemblance was obvious, especially the piercing blue eyes. The other man’s face stirred something familiar, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t place where I’d seen him before.
As greetings and polite laughter filled the air, I quietly stepped back into the clouds, choosing distance over discomfort.
I wanted nothing to do with whatever reunion was unfolding in front of me.
Not tonight.
Jaxon’s POV
Silvia’s smile widened the moment she noticed my father approaching with Mr. Hunter—the boss, as Troy and I called him. She immediately rushed forward to greet them, her excitement obvious. I watched the exchange with little more than boredom and zero interest.
It was only then that I realized Troy was standing with them.
Nancy was nowhere in sight.
“Uncle Logan,” Silvia greeted the boss, and that alone made my brow lift. Uncle Logan? I shot him a questioning look, my gaze shifting between the two of them.
“Happy birthday, Uncle Logan. You’re one year younger,” Silvia teased, her laughter light and carefree.
“Thank you, sweetheart,” the boss chuckled. “I see you’ve met Jaxon.”
He took Silvia’s hand and led her toward me.
“Wait a minute, Uncle,” Silvia said, eyes lighting up. “Don’t tell me Jaxon is the one you’ve been talking about.”
I let out a slow, frustrated sigh.
“Yes,” the boss said proudly. “Jaxon, remember my goddaughter—the one I told you I would introduce you to?” I nodded stiffly. “Here she is. Isn’t she a damsel?”
Before I could respond, my father finally stepped forward after lingering at a distance for far too long.
“I’m glad I’m not the only one who wants these two to end up together,” he added.
“They’d be a perfect match,” the boss agreed.
Their voices blended together, filled with laughter and expectation, while Silvia stood beside me, giggling softly. Meanwhile, only one thought ran through my head.
Where was Nancy?
And why hadn’t Troy brought her along?
“Uncle, don’t flatter me too much,” Silvia said playfully. “Jaxon and I have known each other since we were kids. In fact, we were childhood sweethearts.”
Before I could react, she slipped her hand into mine and intertwined our fingers. She turned to me with a bright smile—one I couldn’t bring myself to return.
I caught the satisfied expressions on the faces of the two older men and immediately pulled my hand free.
“I hate to break it to you,” I said evenly, “but this has been fun. I need to go.”
“Where are you going, Jaxon?” the boss asked, surprise clear in his voice. “You promised you’d stay until the party is over.”
His eyes searched my face, questioning my sudden shift in attitude.
If I had known that the goddaughter he was so eager for me to meet was Silvia, I would have shut down the idea immediately—though, truthfully, it wouldn’t have mattered who it was.
“I’m not leaving,” I said, already turning away. “I just need to find someone.”
Silvia’s hand grabbed mine, stopping me.
“Who are you looking for?” she asked softly. “Is it someone important? Can’t they wait? I haven’t seen you in years, Jaxon. I really wanted us to catch up—like old times.”
Her sad, pleading eyes almost made me pause.
Almost.
“Yes, Silvia,” I said firmly, forcing a polite smile. “She’s important. She’s my plus one. I brought her to this party, and it wouldn’t look good if I left her standing alone.”
Her smile vanished instantly.
Slowly, her fingers loosened around mine as she stared at me—stunned, silent, and clearly hurt.
She has got to be kidding me.
She left when I needed her the most, and now she’s back when she feels like it’s convenient—and I’m supposed to act like everything is fine?
No way.
I don’t need any of this.
“If you’ll all excuse me,” I said curtly before turning away.
I needed to find Nancy. The last thing I needed was for her to get herself into trouble.
Nancy’s POV
I pushed through the clouds, desperate for air, until I finally made it outside the mansion. I wandered into the wide field of the compound, beautifully lined with bouquets on either side—too perfect, too carefully arranged.
The night air hit my face, cold and sharp, sending a chill through me. I shivered, wrapping my arms around myself. Outside, everything was eerily quiet. Inside, the mansion buzzed with people—people who didn’t belong to me.
I didn’t belong there either.
Tonight, I was just another mistake.
Jaxon and Troy had probably stood me up.
So much for coming to Brentmere.
I let my eyes roam my surroundings when something caught my attention out of the corner of my eye—
Then I heard a scream.
My head snapped toward the sound just in time to see a lady being dragged toward a car parked among the many vehicles scattered across the compound. A man wearing a face cap shoved her forward roughly, forcing her toward a black SUV with no license plate.
His hand clamped over her mouth as he pressed her body hard against his.
Her muffled struggle sliced through the silence.
The man suddenly turned in my direction.
My heart leapt into my throat as I ducked behind the flowers, my pulse pounding so loudly I was sure it would give me away.
Peering through the blooms, I watched as he shoved her into the back of the trunk. Moments later, another man stepped out—cigarette dangling from his lips.
I recognized him immediately.
He was the same man Jaxon had nearly come to blows with the night of that party in his hotel.
“You know what to do, right?” he asked the man in the face cap.
The man nodded.
“Good,” he continued coolly. “Make sure you shut her up.”
His gaze drifted in my direction.
I froze.
I sank lower, holding my breath until he finally turned away and disappeared through a doorway I hadn’t noticed before.
Only then did the man in the face cap curse loudly.
“Shit! Why didn’t she just do as she was told?” he snapped, running a hand through his hair in clear frustration. “I already have too much on my plate.”
Then he turned.
And just like I had suspected from the very beginning—
It was him.
Gary Hushman.
But somehow, in my shock, I failed to notice the shadow silently rising behind me.