I Definitely Don't

Chapter 7

Shayla

My heart pounded in my chest as Jason's cold eyes swept over me, the smirk on his face sending a shiver down my spine. There was always something unsettling about him—something that made the hair on the back of my neck stand on end whenever he was near. But now, standing here, with Gabriel by my side, I wasn't just afraid of what Jason might do. I was angry.

He had tried to ruin Gabriel's life, destroy my family's business, and now he was standing here, acting as if he had all the power. But he didn't. Not anymore.

"What do you want?" I asked again, my voice stronger this time.

Jason chuckled, a low, mocking sound. "What I've always wanted, Shayla. A seat at the table."

His words hung in the air, dripping with arrogance. He was here to negotiate, but the way he said it felt more like a threat. I glanced at Gabriel, whose jaw was clenched tight, his body tense beside me. I could feel the restrained fury rolling off him in waves.

"There is no seat for you," Gabriel said, his voice low and dangerous. "You made your choice when you betrayed me."

Jason's smirk didn't falter. If anything, it grew more pronounced. "Ah, yes, betrayal. Such a subjective term, isn't it? From where I'm standing, you were the one who betrayed me, Gabriel. We were partners. We built something together, and you threw it all away."

Gabriel took a step forward, and I could feel the tension building between them like a coiled spring. "You built nothing," he said coldly. "You were always in it for yourself. And I'm not going to let you use Shayla or her family to get what you want."

I looked at Jason, my stomach twisting with the weight of his words. "Is that what this is about?" I asked, my voice tight with disbelief. "You think you can use me?"

Jason turned his gaze on me, his expression softening slightly, though it felt more like a mask than anything genuine. "Shayla, you've always been the key. Your father's business, the Caine name—it's valuable. And now, with you married to Gabriel, you're in the perfect position to help me."

My blood boiled at the implication. He wasn't just after the business. He was after control—control over my life, my decisions, everything I cared about.

"I'm not some pawn in your game, Jason," I said, my voice shaking with anger. "I won't let you use me or my family like this."

Jason's eyes darkened, the friendly veneer slipping as he realized I wasn't going to bend to his will. "You don't have a choice," he said quietly, his voice cold and menacing. "You think Gabriel can protect you? Do you really know who he is, what he's done?"

His words sent a chill through me, but I didn't let it show. I knew Gabriel had his secrets, things he hadn't told me. But I also knew that Jason was trying to manipulate me, to plant doubt in my mind. And I wasn't going to fall for it.

"I know enough," I said firmly. "And I trust him."

Gabriel's hand brushed mine, a silent acknowledgment of the weight of my words. We were standing together, united against Jason, and for the first time, I realized that this was what he feared most—our unity. He had spent so long trying to drive a wedge between us, but now that we were finally on the same page, his power over us was slipping.

Jason's eyes flickered with frustration, and for a moment, I thought he might lose his composure. But then he took a step back, his smirk returning as he tried to regain control of the situation.

"You're making a mistake," he said, his voice laced with venom. "Both of you. This little alliance of yours won't last. Gabriel may have convinced you that he's changed, Shayla, but trust me—he's still the same man who will do whatever it takes to come out on top. And when he does, you'll be the one who pays the price."