Dominance

(Lisa's POV)

I walked down the streets of Italy, unsure of where to go or which direction to take. I was in a foreign land where I knew no one. The only person I came to see—the main reason for this trip—had cheated on me and left me shattered and broken.

Everywhere I looked seemed to mock me as if the universe was laughing at my foolishness. I had booked a flight all the way from California to Italy, dreaming of a romantic reunion with my boyfriend, only to witness his betrayal. I should have listened to my dad, who had repeatedly warned me not to invest too much in Nathan. But I didn’t. My stubbornness and my foolish heart didn’t allow it.

Now, it was too late to cry over spilled milk. I needed to brace myself, hold back my tears, and figure out how to return to California tomorrow. But it was already late in Italy, and I had no idea where to go for the night.

Tears threatened to spill from my eyes, but I clenched my jaw and forced them back. Nathan didn’t deserve my tears.

I kept walking letting my feet take me wherever they pleased until I stumbled across a nightclub. The pounding music spilling out into the street hinted that it wasn’t just an ordinary club. I sighed, thankful that I still had my handbag with me, though my luggage was back in Nathan’s hotel room—a place I couldn’t return to.

As I stared at the glowing neon lights of the club, wild thoughts ran through my mind. One thought stood out—ridiculous and reckless, but tempting nonetheless. I decided to get wasted on alcohol. I wasn’t good at drinking, but the pain in my chest was too overwhelming. Maybe drowning myself in alcohol would help me forget, even if just for a night.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped into the club. The loud music, the mix of intoxicating perfumes, alcohol, and an unmistakable hint of desire in the air enveloped me. My gaze swept the room, landing briefly on the VIP section, which exuded an aura of luxury and mystery. Thick smoke clouded the faces of the people there, but their posture and demeanor radiated power. These were people not to be trifled with.

My instincts screamed at me to leave, but my stubborn heart refused. I told myself it was only for tonight. I needed a moment to forget. Forget Nathan. Forget his betrayal. Forget that I had made a fool of myself by traveling halfway across the world for him.

I settled into a seat near the bar, and a bartender approached me almost immediately.

“What’ll you have?” he asked, his English a welcome relief.

“Three bottles of vodka,” I said, not caring about his raised eyebrow.

He hesitated for a moment, probably questioning my ability to handle such a strong drink, but eventually brought the bottles to my table. As I began gulping down the first bottle, I observed the people around me. They were laughing, dancing, and enjoying themselves. They looked so carefree, while my heart was a crumpled mess.

Then, my gaze fell on a man in the VIP section. Through the haze of smoke, his piercing, cold eyes locked onto mine. His gaze was dark, intense, and unsettling, sending a shiver down my spine. My heart raced, not in fear, but something else I couldn’t name. I quickly looked away, pretending not to notice him, but I could still feel his eyes on me. It was as though he could see into my soul.

I focused on my drink, finishing the first bottle and moving on to the second. With each sip, the pain of betrayal dulled, replaced by a hazy warmth. By the time I emptied the third bottle, the room spun around me, and my legs felt like jelly.

Staggering to my feet, I tried to find the exit. My vision was blurry, and my head pounded, but at least the alcohol had numbed my heartbreak. I was smiling—grinning, even—like the fool I had been for Nathan.

As I stumbled through the crowd, a man with a sharp chin beard appeared in my path, his hand snaking around my waist.

“Hey, sweetheart,” he said in a voice that made my skin crawl. “Do you have company tonight?”

I tried to pull away, but he tightened his grip. My discomfort grew as he leaned closer, his breath reeking of alcohol.

“It seems like you don’t,” he sneered, his fingers digging into my side. “How about I take you somewhere special?”

Before I could process his words, my hand flew up and slapped him hard across the face. The sound echoed in my ears, and for a moment, I felt a surge of triumph. But it was short-lived. His expression darkened, and he raised his hand as if to strike me back.

Before his hand could connect, a strong arm pulled me away. My head fell against a broad, firm chest, and the man holding me exuded an aura of dominance and safety. I tried to lift my head to see his face, but the alcohol had blurred my vision too much to make out his features. Even so, I could tell he was devastatingly handsome. His deep, smooth voice sent a thrill through me.

“How dare you?” he asked the man who had harassed me.

The bearded man fell to his knees instantly, his bravado replaced with terror. “I—I didn’t know she was with you,” he stammered, trembling. “Please, spare me!”

I didn’t have the energy to question why this stranger inspired such fear. Instead, I let myself relax against his chest, smiling like a fool.

“Leave,” the man ordered. His voice was calm, but there was a lethal edge to it that left no room for argument.

The other man scrambled to his feet and ran, nearly tripping over a chair in his haste to escape.

The stranger turned his attention to me, his large hands steadying my swaying body. “Where do you live?” he asked, his voice low and soothing.

I blinked up at him, my fingers brushing against the sharp angles of his jaw. I had no answer. I didn’t have anywhere to go.

“Aren’t you going to tell me where you live?” he asked again, this time with a hint of amusement in his voice.

“I don’t have anywhere to live,” I murmured, my words slurred. A bold grin spread across my face as I added, “Can you take me to your place?”

For some reason, that idea seemed absolutely hilarious to me, and I giggled, resting my head back against his chest. It was firm and warm, and I felt oddly safe, as though nothing in the world could harm me while he held me.

“Who are you?” I whispered, not expecting an answer.

The last thing I remembered was the faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips before everything went black.