The mystery surrounding Jem Jones intrigues me. I’ve watched his rise and fall over and over, read stories about how these guys treated women in the past. Objects, playthings. Will Ruby Riot be his plaything? Is Dan right and part of his agenda is screwing me? Is that why he’s closing in on me physically right now?
“Yeah, we can talk about this. I can’t believe you have such faith in us though.”
Jem shrugs. “I know something good when I hear it.”
“Thanks.” I smile.
The curious look Jem gives me sends my alert system haywire. I spend a good deal of time not meeting his eyes, because when I do, I feel exposed. Jem sees into a place nobody does, through Ruby and to the edge of Tuesday. He rubs a finger along his lips and pulls something from his back pocket.
“I want you to have this.” He holds out a small card in his long fingers.
“What is it?”
“Blue Phoenix’s publicity company. I want you to chat with them.”
“What about?”
Jem shrugs. “Dunno. PR shit. I can only do so much. I’ve spoken to them about you guys. Arrange a meeting.”
“Okay…” I hesitantly take the card, and as I do Jem’s fingers linger against mine. The gesture is innocent enough, but to me loaded with the weight of realisation he’s never touched me before, not even accidentally. If he had, there’s no way I’d forget the shock of his calloused fingertips against my skin or the effect on my heart rate. I curl my fingers around the card and drop my hand.
“Lose him,” Jem says in a low voice. “Don’t let him destroy Ruby—she’s actually a nice girl when you get to know her.”
My normal response would be a retort at him to back the hell off, but I’m aware I’m reaching a point where I need to make my choice. Be who I am, or who somebody else wants me to be. I don’t know if I’m strong enough to choose.
Without another word, Jem ducks back into the building and I wait a minute before following. The Jax situation was bad enough; arriving back with Jem wouldn’t be wise. I flip the business card in my hands as I head back to where we’re setting up for tonight and catch sight of something written on the back. In black scrawl is a Notting Hill address. I stop and stare at the words.
Jem gave me his address.
Shoving the card in the back pocket of my jeans, I keep walking. Another man interfering in my life isn’t what I need.