Chapter 1

At twenty, parties shouldn't be on your mind. You should be reserved and mannered for the future ahead. A girl's prime should be her pride. I can still remember my mum's lecture like a ticking bomb in my ears.

Jezz, that woman will be the death of me. She is after my life, my peace of mind, and everything within.

I'm standing outside in the middle of the night with anxiety over what's waiting for me at home if she ever finds out I'm gone from my room.

But a girl has to take risks if she truly wants to enjoy her youth. As long as I don't become a prostitute, I should be left alone to live the life I want. There's currently no service to book an Uber. The night air pierces my skin like needles, the clothes I'm wearing barely doing any work to shield me.

Mira, my best friend from childhood. We have been glued together since kindergarten, and every trouble we get into, she is always the mastermind behind it all. Just like tonight, she sneaked in through my window to drag me out to a club, but now she is currently passed out on the floor drunk, and I'm suffering the consequences of getting our asses home.

I came from a well-respected family that holds a huge title in the small town we live in. My father's wealth has been unmatched for a long time. It runs in our generation. A mining company. The donations he gives out have added more to his fame, and now I can't step out without people recognizing me.

Mira knows fully well what's going to be on the headlines if I'm caught. The daughter of a wealthy man was sighted in a club.

They won't listen even if you tell them it's just dancing and drinking. Rumours will arise.

I love the thrill that comes with her ideas, but at the same time, I need to get a hold of myself till I leave this small secluded town where everyone knows each other. But now, I need to sort out the mess we are currently in.

With the last remaining battery I have, my fingers hover around the contact list, but he's my last option. My brother's best friend. Better than calling my brother himself. That's a ticking time bomb waiting to explode. I might not see the sunlight if he sees me now.

I dial his number, and within a few rings, his deep voice comes through the phone.

"Yes, Summer."

Like a silent growl that sends shocks down my spine, my nipples hardening with the cold night air.

"Can you come pick me up, please?" I said, biting down on my lips like he could see me.

"Where are you?" he answered softly.

"At Dollhiks Club," I mumbled, wondering if he made out the words I barely whispered out.

"Fuck. Stay there. I'll be there in a minute," he replied before cutting the call.

A sigh of relief surged through me. He didn't ask questions on how I got there or what I was doing there at this time.

He has never been the type to judge people on their behaviour, but his eyes say a lot. That deep blue, like the sea, when locked on you, feels like he's staring into your soul.

I crouched down next to the devil on the floor.

"Bitch, wake up. Ace is coming to take us."

"Go away. I want to sleep some more."

She curled herself up, making herself more comfortable on the pavement floor.

I heaved a frustrated sigh, pulling on my hair.

I swatted down to her ear. "In my next life, Mira, I'm going to stay far away from you. That's a promise."

I gathered her shoes and purse. She tossed around, and I pulled her up, supporting her with my weight, and made my way to the streetlight at the other end of the road where he would sight me if he's really coming.

It didn't take him long before his car pulled up. He got out and took in the clothes I'm wearing, his eyes looking down at me like he's about to devour his prey.

Making me so uncomfortable, I cleared my throat, cutting off the rising tension between us.

"Can you help me?" I said, motioning to Mira clinging to my arm.

He took her from me and helped place her inside the car, then opened the passenger door for me. I hadn't sat down when his question stopped me in my tracks.

"Why aren't you wearing any pants?"

"Excuse me?" I replied.

"Your ass is outside. It doesn't look like you're wearing anything, and no bra. You are practically naked in the middle of the night outside a club."

"The last time I checked, I have free will over what I do with my body. Don't call the kettle black. You date girls who wear more than I do. I called for help, not a lecture. You are my brother's friend, not mine. Let's keep it that way," I told him, closing the door in his face.

I know my words are harsh, but I can't be blamed for releasing the pent-up hurt. Years of a one-sided crush not reciprocated and watching him date numerous girls without any glance thrown my way. He's every girl's dream guy. Tall, built with muscles, fucking handsome. But to him, I'm just his best friend's sister who he tolerates.

But I promised myself I would stop loving him. I won't make the mistake of giving my heart to someone who doesn't cherish it the right way.

He might as well go dominate someone else.

He sat outside the car bonnet with a cigarette in his mouth, his hands tugging at his hair. I just watched him silently. Whatever was on his mind was really dealing with him.

But on the contrary, I didn't call him to deal with that. I stepped out of the car and silently made my way to him. I took the cigarette from his mouth, threw it on the floor, and stepped on it until the fire went off.

"You need to stop smoking. It's bad for your health," I told him, keeping my gaze locked on him to show him I'm serious about what I said.

He tilted his head, staring down at my height like I'm some kind of ant.

"If I quit smoking, then you give me something to suck on."

"Huh?"

The sound came out from my lips. I was totally confused by what he said.

He just chuckled, standing up abruptly. His hand went to my neck so fast he didn't give me time to react. He leaned in to my ear, his hot breath bringing the twisted fantasies I buried back to the surface.

I gasped, not from the lack of air he was restricting from me, but from the electric shocks his fingers sent through my body.

"Tell me why I shouldn't snap your neck from your body, Summer. Play with fire next time and watch it consume you. I can murder you, and no one will know I did. Now get your ass back in the car."

With my shaky legs, I took my scared ass back. I know fully well who he is. I've seen this side of him before, but not directed at me. I've made a mental note in my head. I won't be coming close to him anymore. I survived today. I might not tomorrow.

The ride home was certainly silent. He focused more on the road, his fingers gripping the steering wheel tightly. Long and slender. I couldn't help but be mesmerized by the way he held it. Dirty thoughts flooded my mind. Goosebumps filled my body, my cheeks hot from embarrassment. I slumped in my seat, clearly uncomfortable with the tension in the car. I wound down the window, breathing in the cold air.

"Did you drink?" he questioned, catching me off guard.

I shook my head at him. I didn't. What's even his business with what I do? I never knew men could be nosy too.

"Who touched you?"

His next question sounded even more delusional.

"Someone you won't know. He was pretty good at what he does."

The car tyres screeched, coming to an absolute stop, nearly sending me flying out of the seat.

"Hey! Are you planning on getting me killed? What's your problem with me?" I screamed at him.

But all I got was a glaring stare.

"Put on your damn seatbelt, or I'm dropping your ass off on the street."

"Gosh, you could have asked nicely. You almost broke my bones."

I snapped back at him. On a normal day, I don't dare talk back to him. I was too blinded by the crush I had on him, but he's gradually showing me the demon under that veil.

I adjusted myself back into the seat, pulling the seatbelt secure. I don't want to die yet. He's been making his intentions of doing that to me clear the whole night. Whatever is happening at this moment, I need to stay clear away, even when I'm clearly not the problem here.

The rest of the ride was something I couldn't recover from. He drove at full speed, ignoring traffic lights. I hung onto the seatbelt for dear life. I didn't bother telling him to slow down. That would only add to his anger. He doesn't like being told what to do. I just prayed silently that I would make it out alive.

Lesson learnt. I'm never going close to him anymore.

The estate came into view, but the panic in me intensified when I saw my nanny at the gate with her worried expression.

Shit. I'm in deep trouble.

She rushed towards the front door, helping me out.

"Something happened. Hurry, we need to go."

Togeth

er, we got Mira out before heading towards the back door.

I looked back, still feeling the icy sensation on my body. His expression was still the same, but now it had turned murderous and unreadable.

But I didn't dwell on it.

I had a problem waiting for me.