I stayed in the closet for a few minutes after Roman left, trying to figure out what just happened. His just kissed me on the cheek after telling me not to follow him because I could get myself killed, after ignoring me for days. I could still feel the pressure of his lips on my skin, and I touched the cheek he kissed and let out a shaky breath. I should not be feeling like this. I quickly dropped my hand and left the closet, finding my way back to the hidden door. When I entered the club again, the music startled me. I forgot I was in an actual club. Weaving through the sweaty bodies was easier this time and I went straight to the bar, signaling the bartender for another drink. I wouldn't drink it though because I still needed to drive myself home. As I sat there, I thought about what Roman could possibly be doing that was illegal. Was it drugs? Cartels? Something worse? I didn't even want to think about that, but it wouldn't leave my mind.

            "Hey, Violett."

            I froze at the voice that said my name. No. No way. I'd been trying my best to completely forget about him, using my job and the men that made my insides go crazy as great distractions from my broken heart. Someone shifted to my right, and I slowly turned to see Carter leaning against the counter in a white polo shirt that strained against his chest. He had a soft smile on his face that I wanted to wipe off and I did a quick sweep with my eyes at his appearance. His dark brown hair was jelled in his usual way, slicked back with a part on the side. I couldn't believe I actually found that attractive. His hazel eyes were filled with excitement that made me nervous and I cleared my throat.

            "What do you want?" I asked in an icy tone, making that smile of his falter a bit. Good.

            "I just happened to spot you and seeing you in person after a while made me realize how much I missed you." He explained and I made a face.

            "You can miss me from afar, nothing will ever happen between us again." I dismissed him with a wave of my hand and turned back to the bar. He didn't leave.

            "I've been seeing you in the tabloids and how quickly you've moved on from me. With two men at that, it seems." He was trying to rile me up with his words, and it was working. I was itching to punch him in the face, make him eat his words.

            "You're the one who ended our relationship, Carter. You don't get to judge me on how I decided to move on." I spoke through clenched teeth.

            "That was a mistake. I want you, Violett." He basically pleaded with me, and I glanced at him with a disgusted look. Begging didn't look good on him.

            "It's never going to happen. You told me I was incapable of loving anyone or letting anyone love me, remember that?" He opened his mouth to speak, but I cut him off. "You also said that if I kept it up, I would be alone forever. Those were your parting words. You never even told me what I did for you to think that I was incapable of loving anyone. I did love you." I could feel a knot growing in my throat and I swallowed it, not wanting to cry in front of him, much less a bar. He shook his head, taking a step closer to me.

            "I regret those words. I only said that in a moment of weakness because it seemed like you never made time for me and never showed me that you cared. But when you were gone, I was starting to realize all of the things you did to show me your love. I want that again." His eyes were wide, and he reached his hands out in my direction, but I quickly got out of my seat, backing away. His regret meant nothing to me. It didn't change the past and certainly didn't change the present.

            "I don't care to keep going down memory lane with you. Stay away from me, we're not getting back together, ever. I don't want to see you again." I growled at him and the eager look on his face was gone. Anger replaced it, but I didn't care. He meant nothing to me. I moved to walk past him, but his hand shot out and he grabbed my arm, startling me. I gasped and moved to yank him off, but a voice from behind stopped me.

            "Let her go before I break your fucking fingers." Roman hissed from behind me, and I froze at the icy tone of his voice. I'd never heard him speak that way before. Carter let go, but looked up, squinting his eyes at Roman. I backed up a little bit and stopped when I could feel Roman behind me. My heart stopped racing quickly like it was before and I felt safer now that he was here. I rubbed my skin where Carter grabbed me tightly and glared at him.

            "So, you're one her little boyfriends, huh?" Carter sneered, squeezing his hands into fists.

            "I'm her friend. Leave my club. You're banned. If I ever see you again, you'll leave with less fingers than you came with." Roman moved from behind me and stood in front of Carter, towering over him. He leaned froward and whispered something in Carter's ear, making his eyes grow so wide, it looked like they were about to pop out of their sockets. He nodded quickly and didn't even spare me another glance before quickly making a beeline to the nearest exit.

            "What did you say to him that had him looking like he was about to piss himself?" I asked, even though I really wanted to ask about what he said about the club being his. Roman shrugged.

            "Don't worry about it. Just know he won't be a problem anymore."

            I stared up at him, tilting my head and he glanced down at me, sighing and moving closer to me. He leaned in and kept his voice low as he said, "I told him if he ever puts his hands on you like that again, I'll kill him myself." He stood up straight and my jaw dropped. He shrugged again as if it was nothing and I scoffed, not even knowing what to say. He didn't have to stand up for me, but he did anyway. That did something to me inside, but I pushed it away.

            "Thank you for having my back." I made sure he knew my appreciation and he nodded, looking over my head.

            "No problem, but it doesn't change our situation."

            That annoyed me. The gratefulness I was feeling quickly left me. He walked away, but I followed him.  

            "Why did you kiss my cheek then if you felt our situation wasn't changed?" I raised my voice for him to hear over the loud crowd. He paused in a corner away from the dancing bodies and I stopped right next to him, waiting for an answer.

            "I didn't mean to do that. Pretend it didn't happen." His tone was so indifferent, and he wouldn't even look at me. That sent a pang to my chest, and I gritted my teeth and him and at myself. It shouldn't even matter to me. It was only a silly friendship that was lost from him ignoring me. At least, that was what I was telling myself. I knew there was something deep down inside me that wanted to connect with him on an even deeper level, and I continued to push it back down. That wouldn't lead me down any roads that ended in happiness.

            "Fine. I need to find Davis anyway." I muttered, turning away from him.

            "I'll see you at work." He responded and I glanced over my shoulder to see him walking away and I watched him until he was lost in the crowd.