Alec was rendered speechless.
Once he was free, he vowed to get back at Jemma for this setup.
How infuriating!
Meanwhile, by the car, the moonlight illuminated Nicole, casting Jarrodâs brooding face in an eerie light.
This triggered a visceral reaction in Nicole.
She began to resist vehemently, pushing against Jarrod.
âGet away from me.
Get away.
.
Leave me alone.
You jerk.
â
Nicole struggled fiercely, trying to free herself.
âLet go of me.
Jerk.
.
â
Jarrodâs grip on her chin was firm, effectively silencing her.
âYou want me to leave?â His voice was icy and threatening.
âThen what?â
âThen.
.
â Her head pounding, Nicole mumbled, âJust.
.
I donât want you.
.
Leave.
.
Get lost!â
âWhom do you want to get lost?â Jarrodâs eyes were cold and piercing.
Despite her disoriented state, Nicole seemed surprisingly lucid.
âYou, Jarrod Schultz⦠You bastard.
.
Go away!â
If not for Nicoleâs slurred speech, Jarrod might have believed she was entirely sober.
She pronounced his name with startling clarity.
âOnly youâ¦â Jarrodâs grip on her chin tightened, his voice cold and firm.
âOnly you dare to speak to me like this.
â
Every woman who approached Jarrod typically did so with either flattery or fear.
Nicole, however, always seemed to challenge him.
Despite moments of clarity, Nicole was evidently not fully sober.
She stammered, âGo away.
.
Go.
.
Go.
.
ââ
Jarrodâs expression darkened with irritation.
âYou want me to leave? Then you go find one of those male escorts to resolve your condition?â
Nicole nodded and shook her head erratically, her words and actions beyond her control.
âs BunnyBookery âJust not you.
.
Devil.
.
Bad man!â
Jarrodâs tone grew icy.
âIf I were truly the bad man you claim, do you think youâd still be here?â
Those who crossed Jarrod tended to vanish, yet here Nicole was, boldly provoking him.
He had no patience for a futile argument with an incoherent woman outside the club.
âGet in the car!â Jarrod ordered sharply.
Nicole resisted, struggling against his hold.
Losing his patience, Jarrod hoisted her over his shoulder.
âAh.
Let go of me⦠You bastard.
â Nicoleâs attempts to fight off his grip were feeble, barely registering.
Silently, Jarrod placed her in the back seat of the car, following her in and securing her hands behind her back with his tie.
âMmm.
.
ââ Nicoleâs protests resisted.