Chapter 5

The next night, on the other side of the city, a different game was playing out.

Purple lights flooded the dance floor, while techno beats pounded through the club, a sound pressing against every wall and vibrating through the floor beneath their feet.

It wasn't a place for a usual business meeting, but Tobias clearly had a taste for places like this.

Tobias Grim. Business partner to Stephen Davenport. He was a ruthless man who loved money and women. It was his love for both that had invited Stephen to the club.

When Stephen got the call, he was overjoyed and insisted on his family coming with him. However, Evelyn sternly refused, while Freya insisted that Elizabeth come with her.

Elizabeth stayed a step behind as Stephen entered the private room, spreading his arms wide, a practiced smile in place.

Tobias! My favorite client. Tobias Grim pushed himself up from the couch, his heavy frame shifting. Stephen, how are you, my friend? It has been so long since...

His voice faltered. His gaze slid past Stephen and landed on them.

Elizabeth felt it before she fully met his eyes. He recognized Freya instantly, which was obvious. Then his attention shifted and settled on her.

The lights flickered across Elizabeth's face, sharp and uneven, catching on her features. She had dressed carefully, reluctantly, but now she felt exposed, as if the light itself was drawing attention to her.

Tobias stared, not politely, not briefly. He stared.

Elizabeth shifted her weight, forcing herself not to step back. The pink dress felt tighter now, shorter than she remembered, revealing more than she had agreed to.

Freya had insisted she wear this one, and Elizabeth had an ugly feeling. She knew why now.

This is my eldest, Elizabeth, Stephen said, as if presenting something of mild interest. You have already met Freya.

Tobias's smile widened. Come, come. Sit.

His eyes lingered on Elizabeth's curves too long. Elizabeth felt her spine stiffen as she moved forward.

Beside her, Stephen was already turning away, glancing toward the door, his attention drifting.

I have to greet the club owner. I will return shortly.

Of course he won't. Elizabeth did not look at him as he left. She kept her eyes on Tobias.

And Tobias kept his on her body.

Freya stepped forward with a bright smile, closing the distance without hesitation, as if she had waited for this moment.

Mr. Tobias, it has been so long since we met. You promised me a Chanel bag last time.

Tobias chuckled and brushed a hand through his hair, amused by her tone and familiarity.

Come by my office sometime. I'll have my assistant get you a Chanel. Pick whichever you like, darling.

His gaze slid past her again, settling on Elizabeth with growing interest.

And what about your sister? What are her likes and dislikes? Does she not speak?

Elizabeth sat at the edge of the couch, her fingers tugging the fabric of her dress lower as she kept her eyes lowered.

Freya tilted her head, a knowing smile forming as if she understood more than she revealed. She whispered, She likes you.

Tobias straightened, surprise flashing across his face as he leaned forward. What?

Freya leaned closer, lowering her voice as if sharing a secret meant only for him, her eyes glinting with quiet intent.

My father needs that shipping contract. Mr. Grim, think of Elizabeth as the signing bonus. She's fresh from the country, untouched. Consider her your reward for choosing the Davenports.

She paused, watching his reaction carefully. She is getting engaged soon. But she has no experience. I thought perhaps you could help, Tobias.

His eyes gleamed with interest, the suggestion settling into something far more dangerous as his attention sharpened completely.

Elizabeth sat frozen, her brain refusing to accept the sordid drama playing out.

None of this made sense to her. Why did Freya bring me here? Of all places? Why does everything feel so carefully arranged?

This skimpy dress.

Obviously. Freya didn't dress me for a party. She dressed me for a slaughter.

But she forgot one thing. I'm not a lamb. I'm the knife.

She shifted slightly, anger rising like a slow tidal wave. Freya turned, already stepping toward the door as if her role here had ended.

Liz, darling, stay here. I will go find Dad.

She slipped out before Elizabeth could react, and the door shut behind her with a quiet click.

Silence settled into the room, heavy and suffocating. Elizabeth lifted her gaze slowly, her breath unsteady as her eyes met Tobias's.

He smiled, and a cold wave of dread spread through her chest, sharp and immediate. Tobias pushed himself up from the couch and moved toward the bar and poured himself a drink.

Might I entice you with a drink, Elizabeth?

I think I've had enough of your hospitality, Elizabeth said, her voice cool, each word measured as she held his gaze without flinching.

Tobias gulped down his drink in one sip. He took steps quickly and confidently, closing the distance as if nothing could stop him.

Elizabeth shifted back, her instincts screaming at her to move, to run.

But before she could act, his hand shot out, and he grabbed her arm.

Elizabeth jerked back, panic surging as she struggled against his grip. Her free hand pushed hard against him. What are you doing? She shoved against his chest, using all her strength, but he pulled her closer instead, his arms locking around her with a force that crushed the air from her lungs. He leaned in, pressing his face against her neck as his hold tightened.

You are so beautiful, he murmured.

Elizabeth froze for a fraction of a second, shock locking her in place as his grip held her still.

Then instinct took over. She drove her knee upward with force. Her strike landed hard against his stomach.

He lurched back with a broken gasp, his arms loosening just enough for her to twist free.

Elizabeth stumbled away as she put distance between them, her body trembling, but upright.

Tobias straightened slowly, anger replacing the brief shock as he tried to recover his posture, stiff with rage.

I think you can.

Elizabeth did not let him finish. Her palm struck across his face with a sharp crack that echoed through the room.

The impact snapped his head to the side. He staggered, stunned, his balance faltering. But Elizabeth did not stop.

She reached for the nearest object, a glass bottle from the table, and she lifted it high. Although her arm trembled, she swung, and the bottle crashed against his shoulder with a heavy thud. Tobias cried out and stumbled back again, his footing giving way as he hit the edge of the couch and collapsed onto it in a heap.

Elizabeth moved immediately, not giving him a moment to recover. She shoved him down with both hands, forcing him flat against the cushions as he struggled beneath her.

He tried to push himself up, but she drove her heel down onto his hand.

Pain shot through him as he yanked it back, a raw shout breaking from him. Elizabeth leaned in, close enough that he had to meet her eyes, whether he liked it or not. The fear was still there, flickering beneath the surface, but the fury cut through it clean and bright.

Try that again, she said, lips curving just enough to sting. And you'll regret it.

Three men rushed in and spread across the doorway, sealing it off. Before she could move, she stilled, just for a second. Then she straightened. One of the men cracked his knuckles and moved toward her with steady confidence, his eyes locked onto her as though the outcome had already been decided.

Elizabeth drew in a sharp breath and forced herself into a fighting stance. Do not come closer.

The first man lunged forward. Without hesitation, Elizabeth reacted instantly and swung toward his face, but he caught her arm mid-motion and twisted it with brutal force before shoving her down hard.

Her body hit the ground and her head slammed against the floor with a heavy impact that sent a sharp wave of pain through her skull and blurred her vision. For a moment, everything tilted. The man leaned over her again, reaching to grab her.

Elizabeth forced her body to respond. She drove her knee upward with everything she had left, and the strike landed. The man cursed and recoiled, his grip breaking as he fell to the side, clutching himself and rolling away in pain.

Elizabeth pushed herself up, her movements quick but unsteady, as dizziness hit her harder this time. Her vision struggled to stay clear, while the room seemed to shift around her.

Her breath came faster as panic crept in. Her thoughts raced without control as the realization settled deep inside her.

She looked at the men closing in again, her body already weakening from the blow.

Her strength was fading.

I'm going to die, she whispered.

Just then, as if on cue, the lights went out. Darkness swallowed the room completely, cutting off sight and turning everything into sound and instinct.

The music outside continued, muffled through the walls, but inside the atmosphere shifted in an instant.

A man cried out sharply. A heavy crash followed, violent and sudden, like a body slamming into furniture with full force.

Elizabeth stayed still for a second. Her breath caught in her throat as confusion and fear tangled together. But she forced herself to listen carefully.

A second man groaned.

Someone moved close to her, and she felt a hand grab her arm. Elizabeth flinched, her body tensing as she prepared to fight again. But instead of pulling her forward, the force pushed her aside.

She fell onto the couch. Her body tightened, a scream rising inside her chest.

No pain came. Nothing touched her again. The sounds continued, and she heard a final body fall to the floor.

Then, just as suddenly as it had begun, everything stopped.

Silence filled the room again, broken only by the distant rhythm of music and the sound of her own breathing.

The lights flickered back on. Elizabeth blinked rapidly, her eyes adjusting as she pushed herself upright and looked around.

Tobias slumped against the couch, unmoving, his earlier arrogance completely gone.

The others lay scattered across the room, unconscious, their bodies sprawled near overturned chairs and broken glass.

Elizabeth's throat tightened as she looked around the empty room.

Who? or

What was that?