Chapter 2

“You,’ I whispered, my mouth wide open and almost fell out of the barstool I had been sitting in. 

His face turned up in a smirk and he shrugged. “I take it you're not happy to see me then.” His words hinted that he might be feeling remorseful but I knew better. 

He was probably enjoying my discomfort after the way we left things. 

“What are you doing here” I hissed, looking around to see if people had noticed the strange interaction between us. 

He looked around and waved his hand around the room. “It's a bar open to the public ma'am. I needed a drink, the doors were open…” he trailed off leaving me seething and frustrated. 

Why did he choose this bar out of all the bars in New York? 

The city was big enough for everyone and we didn't have to run into each other like this so why today of all days?

The last two months had gone by and I had gone to bed every night thinking I had somehow put that horrible night behind me but here he was seated beside me reminding me of the that night I had tried so desperately to forget. 

“I guess we don't have to talk then,” I whispered as I slid off the barstool. 

I no longer felt comfortable and needed some fresh air. “Well have a good night,” 

A sigh of relief left my lips as I got closer to the door. He hadn't followed me and I couldn't be happier. 

I wasn't prepared to see him, not like this, not ever. Now, I'd be cautious and never visit this place again since I knew he'd come here. 

But as I got to the door someone grabbed my arm. 

“And where do you think you're going?” A deep voice asked and I shivered. 

It wasn't him, no, it was someone else — the reason I had come here in the first place. 

Maybe if he hadn't been so late then I wouldn't have been here when that guy showed up. 

“Mr Lopez.” I tried to turn to look at him but his grip on my arm was so tight, I was stuck in one position. 

“Did you think you could run away when your father owes me so much money?” He asked and I shivered and looked around me. 

Thankfully everyone was too busy with their drinks, their companions and others were lost in the music to pay any attention to my drama. 

“Sir I promise you this is not what it looks like. I was waiting by the bar and wanted to get some air…” because someone came and interrupted my peace. 

I finished the rest in head. 

“Whatever, come with me.” he tugged on my arm and started to pull me towards a long hallway in the distance. 

The hairs at the back of my neck rose the way they usually did when danger was close and I knew I couldn't go with him. 

It didn't matter that Dad might kill me if I came back home without finding a solution to our money problems. 

I could just run away before he could and continue working at the club so I could at least pay off mom's hospital bills. 

My father's drinking problems shouldn't be my problem but he had made it my burden ever since some dangerous men broke into our home and destroyed everything of value threateningly to kill us if we didn't pay them what we owed 

What my father owed. 

“Come along, I don't have all day.” He continued to tug on my hand but I fought back. 

“We can talk here sir.” I told him ready to fight tooth and nail. 

“You're a stubborn one I see, guess your father was right after all.” 

My eyebrows raised in question at his words. What could my father have told him? 

Whatever gave him the boldness to speak about me this way? 

Did debtors no longer have a right to their dignities anymore or did they lend those off alongside their debts? 

“Listen to me young lady, I suggest you do as you're told or else…” he trailed off but I stood my ground. 

“I insist. I have to get back to work soon and I'd like for this meeting to be brief.” I explained hoping to make him see reason. 

He paused and I felt a sliver of hope that maybe, just maybe he would reconsider. 

“That's not my problem.” He sneered and pulled harder on my hand.  

I screamed as he started dragging me, the force of his actions drawing me closer to him. 

No matter how much I resisted and fought back, he was stronger and in the end, I found myself following him like a lost puppy. 

“Dammit!” I thought. Maybe I should have stayed beside him, at least he'd have protected me. 

I didn't know him all that well but he seemed like the sort to protect women. 

“Stop, I don't want to go with you!” I yelled trying to fight back but it was useless as the music drowned out my cries. 

I had lied before. That stranger hadn't been my worst mistake but this, this was even worse than worse. 

“The lady said no,” I heard from behind me and it felt like someone splashed a bucket of water on me. 

Yes! 

Mr Lopez stopped in his tracks and glared at the stranger. “And who are you? Who do you think you are to tell me what to do in my fucking club?” 

I shook my head as I saw two henchmen walking towards us. 

It was no use now. Even if my sexy one nightstand had good intentions, Mr Lopez could have both of us killed on the spot and no one would notice. 

“I don't like repeating myself,” 

A helpless sigh left my lips as I looked away. This was it, the end. 

Goodbye world, goodbye sexy stranger. 

“Get out of here before I bury you alive and your family won't have a body to lay to rest,” Mr Lopez sneered and I shivered. 

“Mr Lopez he didn't mean it like that. Let's just go and talk.” I begged as I stood in front of my sexy stranger, using myself as a human shield. 

“Get out of the way little girl, this is no place for kids,” he said and shoved me hard. 

“Ah!” I screamed as I fell backwards. 

“I warned you.” Sexy stranger surged on. “My name is Damien Holt and you just messed with my wife.” 

The room fell silent after that admission, no music, no dancing, just quiet. 

I sat up as my bum hit the ground, my mouth agape. “You are Damien Holt?!”