Uninvited Guest

Skylar's POV

Joan's message popped up as soon as I got home.

*What did you say? Burn that dress.

I could practically tell she was screaming while she typed.

*No, you don't understand, I typed as I sat on the bed. I took screenshots of everything and sent them to her.

*What a weirdo. Probably a bastard who has a crush on you but is too scared to approach. Don't tell me you're scared.

Scared? I'd be lying if I said I wasn't.

*This person knew I gave you the dress, Joan!

*I posted it online. I'm not burning it. They should do their worst.

“Are you fucking serious, Joan?"

There was no point arguing. Her mind was already made up.

*I’ve already washed my hands of it. Do whatever the hell you want.

After chatting with her for a while, I summoned a bit of courage and typed a message to the number.

*The next time you message me, you will see yourself in a cell. You think creating a fake video can tarnish my image?

If this video gets out, I'm in deep trouble.

Was it Jace, Mia, and Ava playing a prank on me? A blogger or the person who sent the letter to my mailbox?

A message came in right away.

*You wouldn't dare, Skylar.

Staring at the screen, I scoffed before blocking the number. When no call or message came through, I exhaled in relief.

Just an hour of sleep would do. I set an alarm and headed straight to the bathroom. After taking a bath, I put on my pajamas and got into bed.

I woke up with a groan, rubbing the sleep from my eyes as I made my way to the window.

The lights in the house were still on, but there was no sign of anyone.

My brows drew together. Though my guards lived in a separate building, their voices usually drifted through the windows every morning as they trained in the yard or jogged around the compound.

They had opened the gate for me when I arrived early this morning. So why was it so quiet now?

The silence didn't feel right. My gaze shifted toward the pillow. Beneath it lay the small knife I always kept for protection.

Should I take it? I almost laughed at myself. What could possibly go wrong?

I pushed the thought aside and climbed down the stairs. Opening the front door, I stepped outside, my gaze sweeping across the compound.

Still, no sign of anyone.

I let out a quiet breath and headed toward the guards' quarters. Just as I was about to call out for them, a car horn sounded from outside my gate.

Who was here this early?

Curiosity got the better of me, so I pushed the gate open and stepped outside.

A black tinted SUV was parked just outside my gate.

Stopping a few steps away from the car, I kept my eyes on it, expecting the door to open. Whoever was inside made no move to get out.

I stepped closer and cupped my hands against the glass, trying to make out the person inside.

Before I could see anything, the window rolled down, leaving me frozen, my eyes widened as I tried to understand why he was here.

Damien Rodriguez sat behind the wheel.

Everything about him was dark, the shirt he wore, his eyes boring into me, the expression on his face. He seemed like darkness itself.

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I forced myself to meet his eyes. The video replayed in my mind, and I cursed my stupid drunk self inwardly.

Damn it.

He leaned back in the driver's seat, one arm resting on the window frame. "Morning, sweetheart. Slept well?"

Taking a step back, I lifted a brow, feigning confusion. "Who are you, and what are you doing here?"

The car door slammed open. Damien stepped out. His cold gaze settled on me. "Careful, Skylar. That act doesn't suit you."

He knew my name. How?

I took another step back, my fingers searching for my phone. "Don't come any closer." I warned, my voice firm.

My fingers paused as the reality of the situation hit me, I was standing in front of him in nothing but my pajamas, and my phone was upstairs.

He leaned against the door, slowly twirling his phone between his fingers. "Need to call someone? I can lend you mine, sweetheart."

I ignored the mocking tone in his voice. He had some nerves. Yes, I'd made a mistake, but what gave him the audacity to show up at my house? I hadn't come outside for him.

Scanning the quiet estate, a bad feeling settled in my chest as I turned back to him. "What did you do to my guards?"

He stared at me for a moment before letting out a scoff. "You think I came here for your guards?"

"This estate doesn't allow strangers in. How did you get in?"

He slipped his phone back into his pocket. "You should be asking your guards that."

If you've hurt them..." My voice trembled before hardening. "I swear you'll regret it."

He tilted his head, studying my face. “You’re scared of me?” His jaw tightened. “Do you think I would hurt you, Sky?”

“I shouldn’t be scared?” I fixed him with a hard stare. “If anything were to happen to me right now, all your information would be sent to the cops. You didn’t think of that before showing up here?”

The corner of his mouth lifted. "The club, Skylar. I was alone when you walked up to me. I warned you, remember?"

“How many times do I have to tell you? I don't know you, bro!" The lie rolled off my tongue with ease.

He pushed away from the car, one brow lifting. “Bro?” His head tilted slightly. “Like a brother? So, you go around kissing your ‘brothers,’ Skylar?”

Now he was getting more irritating.

"I don't get it. Was it your first kiss or what?" I dragged a hand through my hair, taking another step backward. "If you're this worked up over one kiss, I can't imagine how you'd have reacted if we'd gone any further."

His eyes flickered as he made his way toward me.

Just a few more steps, Skylar. The gate is right behind you.

My back hit the gate. I turned and gripped the iron bars, but before I could force it open, an arm wrapped around me, and I went still.

He spun me around and planted both hands against the gate, trapping me between them.

His tall frame towered over me. I squirmed against him, digging my fingers into his chest. He didn't even blink. Instead, he grabbed my wrists with one hand, pinning them flat against the gate beside my head.

My mouth opened, ready to fight back, but the words died the second he stepped closer.

I pressed my back harder against the gate, like I could somehow disappear into it. He lifted my chin and I met his gaze with a glare.

"That... is why I am here, to go further. It shouldn't end with just a kiss, right?" He smirked.

"Let go of me, bastard," I hissed, twisting against his hold.

"Why should I?" He leaned in, his face only inches from mine. I clenched my jaw and turned my face aside. "You can call the cops right now. Sue me for intruding into your space while I sue you for sexual assault."

My head snapped back toward him. No way was he serious right now.

I breathed slowly, forcing myself to stay calm. "If you walk away right now, I swear, I won't come after you. I'll delete the CCTV footage too."

His calloused thumb traced along my lips, shutting me off. "Shh, I replaced something I ruined and bought you another one as a gift, but you gave it away so freely?"

"You were the one sending those texts? That video too... to threaten me?" I hated the panic building in my chest. "Delete it! You don't understand what that could do to me."

His phone buzzed in his pocket. He removed his thumb from my lips, still pinning me against the gate with the other.

Without breaking eye contact, he reached for his phone. His gaze flicked to the screen, and his face turned cold.

"I'll be back soon." His eyes dropped to my lips for a second before he turned and strode toward his car.

My finger traveled slowly to my lips, what have I gotten myself into.