Chapter 50

Chapter 50
JULIET

It was almost sunset, and I was still in my robe, lounging on the velvet chaise in our living room with a face mask half-dried and music playing low from my phone. The party was just hours away, but I hadn’t decided whether I wanted to go yet. I mean, I could always make a grand entrance if I felt like it.

I was scrolling through messages when the doorbell rang. With a groan, I peeled myself off the couch and made my way to the door, not bothering to fix the strands of hair sticking to my cheek.

The moment I opened it, I blinked.

Lauren stood there, dressed to kill, her long waves perfectly curled and lips glossed like glass. But it wasn’t just her that caught my attention—it was the man standing beside her.

He was tall, lean in a dangerous kind of way, and completely out of place on our doorstep. His dark eyes scanned me like I was already a piece on his chessboard. My breath caught slightly when he offered a smile—sharp, charming, and devilish all at once.

“Hey,” Lauren greeted, stepping inside like she owned the place. “We were just stopping by to see if Harley was here.”

I frowned, leaning against the doorframe as I folded my arms. “Harley? No clue. She’s probably off with Shane somewhere—since, you know, they’re lovebirds now or whatever.”

I rolled my eyes for effect, even though I felt a pinch of something bitter in my gut. It still stung knowing Harley had something good going—again.

Lauren gave a knowing smirk and turned to the guy beside her.

That’s when he finally spoke. His voice was smooth, a little rough around the edges in a way that made my skin tingle.

“I’m Roy,” he said, extending a hand as he tilted his head slightly. “Shane’s best friend. You might not have heard of me.”

I blinked, taking his hand, and I swear, the heat of his palm traveled straight up my arm. Roy?

My stomach flipped in a way I didn’t like to admit.

“Oh. Roy,” I said, letting his name linger on my tongue. “Well, that’s funny. Shane never mentioned you.” I tucked a piece of hair behind my ear, suddenly aware that I had no makeup on. “You guys… must be close.”

Roy’s smile deepened, and his gaze didn’t leave mine. “We go way back. Packmates. Practically brothers.”

I bit my lip, something fluttering in my chest.

Forget the party. This was the night.

“I was thinking about skipping the party,” I said, smiling sweetly. “But scratch that. I’m coming with you two. Just let me go get dressed.” I gave Roy a little wink before turning around and hurrying inside.

As I climbed the stairs to my room, I could already feel the adrenaline rushing through me. Roy. Tall, dark, lethal, and practically carved from trouble. And he wanted Harley?

Well, too bad. Harley always got what she didn’t deserve. This time, she wouldn’t even know she lost.

I kicked my robe off, flinging open my closet and running my fingers across satin and lace. I chose a wine-red dress—tight in the waist, cut low in the back, and short enough to tease but long enough to keep control. I slipped it on with a practiced ease, then turned to my mirror, smirking at the girl staring back at me.

Curves in all the right places. Legs for days. And tonight? I was going to use them.

I adjusted the dress, my eyes lingering on the dip of my collarbone, the curve of my hip. My boyfriend—Matt—was supposed to pick me up tonight, but honestly? I was getting tired of him. I only took him from Harley to watch her squirm. Now that she was no longer interested, he bored me.

Besides, why settle for a boy… when a man like Roy had just walked through my door?

I swept a coat of lip gloss across my mouth, then fluffed my curls and checked myself from every angle.

“Tonight,” I whispered, grinning at my reflection. “If I play this right, Roy won’t even remember Harley’s name.”

I turned to head downstairs, my heels clicking confidently on the hardwood.

Let the party begin.