Chapter Four

I stood there for a long time after everything still trying to make sense of what had just happened. My heart refused to calm down even though the bar was slowly returning to its rhythm. The music was blareing loudly and the people who weren't dancing were lost in conversations but it all sounded distant. I just needed to breathe.

I finally turned toward the exit, weaving through the crowd and stepping out into the cold night air. The parking lot was quiet except for the faint moans coming from a car not too far from me. I could see the leg of the lady hanging out of the window while the man obviously pounded her. I had seen too much of live p**n it didn't turn me on no more. I had barely taken a few steps toward my car when a voice came from behind me.

“You should stay away from him.”

I turned sharply first thinking it wasn't directed to me but I was the only one there. A woman stood by one of the parked cars, half-hidden in shadow. She was wearing a dark coat with her hair tied back in a pony tail and her eyes was fixed on me like she knew something I didn’t.

“Excuse me?” I asked, frowning.

“You heard me,” she said quietly. “Stay away from that man. He’s not someone you want to cross paths with twice.”

A chill slid down my spine. “And who are you to tell me that?”

The woman let out a small, humorless laugh. “Someone who is willing to take revenge on him and will take the people on his side down with her,” she murmured. “Just… don’t.”

Before I could ask another question, she turned and walked away leaving me utterly confused. I stood there frozen, her words echoing in my head.

By the time I got to my car, the trembling in my hands was beginning to still. The night air felt cold against my skin, and I didn’t even know if it was because of fear or the embarrassment still crawling up my spine. I sank into my driver’s seat and turned on the car but I didn't move. Just sat there for a while staring at the steering wheel.

The club lights glowed faintly in the rearview mirror, and I could still see him in my head. I could still hear his voice, the way he told Derek to get lost like it was nothing. I let out a shaky breath, trying to steady myself before pulling out of the parking lot.

The roads were empty and quiet as the city had gone to bed. I didn’t bother turning on the radio because my thoughts were already loud enough for me. 

When I got home, the house was dark and everyone was asleep and I couldn't have been more grateful. At least I wouldn't have to deal with his questions and lectures, no father’s voice booming through the walls. Just silence. It felt strange but comforting. 

I kicked off my shoes and went straight to my room, not even bothering to change out of my clothes. I dropped onto the bed and stared at the ceiling with my eyes closed. The adrenaline had faded away, leaving me drained but my mind was a mess, trying to make sense of everything that had happened.

I pressed my face into the pillow and groaned. “He didn’t even want me to know his name,” I muttered, half laughing. “Such a shame.”

The image of him crouched beside Derek flashed again in my mind and I could still hear the authority in his voice. It wasn’t just what he said, it was how he said it. Like he meant every word and I couldn't help but wonder why a man that didn't want me to know his name had told someone to never hurt me again or he will have him to answer too. Maybe he was just playing hard to get. I rolled over, trying to push the thought away, but it was useless. The more I tried not to think about him, the more I did.

When I finally drifted to sleep, the last thing on my mind was his face.

…………..

I woke up to sunlight streaming through the curtains almost sending me blind. I had totally forgotten to bring the blinds down when I came in last night and now it had disrupted my sweet sleep. The alcohol made my head throb and I blinked a few times, trying to remember where I was. For a second, I thought it had all been a dream, but then the memory of the assault, I was reminded it wasn't. Derek would have had his way with me if I hadn't been saved. 

I considered telling my parents but dad would only see it as me trying to run away from the marriage. There was no point. Sitting up, I rubbed my temples. 

“Why can’t I stop thinking about this guy?” I whispered.

He wasn’t even nice to me. He’d humiliated me and refused to mention his name but still, he was the only person who had actually stepped in when everyone else turned away. He didn’t owe me anything. In fact, if he’d known who I was, he probably wouldn’t have helped at all. But he did and now I couldn’t shake him off my mind.

I sat on the edge of the bed for a while before finally standing up to take some aspirin. I took my bath and headed to the kitchen. Thankfully , I was the only one at home. I made a cup of coffee and sat, surfing the Internet then suddenly, I remembered there was a guy he had been speaking with at the bar. That was my lead. Maybe I can find him after all. 

 “I have to find him.” I whispered to myself as I dropped the cup and headed to my room. That sounded ridiculous even to my own ears, but it was too late to take it back.

Without thinking twice, I threw on a pair of jeans and a loose shirt, tied my hair up, grabbed my purse, and headed out.

………..

The club looked different in the daytime. It wasn’t packed, just a few people milling around but the smell of smoke and alcohol still clung to the air. I walked in and scanned the place, my eyes darting from face to face.

The bartender from last night barely looked up when I passed. I saw a couple of waitresses whispering something to each other, but I ignored them. I searched the corners, the back room and even the hallway near the restrooms but he wasn’t there.

“Of course he wouldn’t be,” I muttered, frustration bubbling in my chest. “Why would he be? It’s not like I deserve easy answers.”

But just when I was about to give up and head back, a familiar figure caught my attention. Music boomed in the background, and I turned toward the VIP section. Relief washed over me as I confirmed that he was the same guy I’d seen him talking to. Only this time, he wasn’t serving drinks. He was dancing.

My mouth fell open.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I whispered.

The guy moved with confidence, and the women around him cheered. He noticed me watching and smirked like he was used to attention. When his set ended, I waved slightly, trying to catch his eye. raising his brow he nodded once, and made his way over.

“You lost, sweetheart?”

“I’m not your sweetheart,” I said flatly. “And no, I’m not lost.”

He chuckled, deep and low. “Then what brings you here? The drinks or the show?”

“I need to talk to you,” I said, ignoring his tone.

“Want some sugar?” he asked, gesturing at his dick. 

“Ewwww!” I yelled, feeling irritated. “A guy.”

“Oh, not my sugar then.” He said, grinning mischeviously. “You came to the right place, gorgeous. There’s plenty of those around.”

“I’m serious.”

He raised his hands in mock surrender. “Alright, alright. Describe him.”

I hesitated for a second before saying, “He is tall and has dark hair. He has a scar along his jaw and I saw him talking to you here last night.”

The dancer’s smirk faded slightly. “Oh... Him.”

“You know who I mean?” I asked, my pulse picking up.

He looked at me for a long second, then leaned in closer. “Yeah, I know him. But why do you want to find him?”

“That’s not important.”

“Oh, it’s important to me,” he said, his grin returning. “People like him don’t just hang out around here. Are you looking for trouble or you need saving from trouble?”

I crossed my arms, slowly getting irritated. “Can you just answer the question?”

He chuckled again, clearly enjoying this. “You really don’t know how things work here, do you?”

“What do you mean?”

He straightened up. “Information isn’t free, princess.”

I sighed and reached for my purse. “How much?”

He smiled. “Now we’re talking.”

I pulled out a few bills and slid them across the counter. His fingers brushed mine as he took the money, his grin widening. “You must really want to find him.”

“I just need to talk to him.”

“Sure you do.” He tucked the cash into his pocket and leaned closer. “And maybe fuck him too.”

When I didn't reply, he got serious. “His name is Zayden. Rides with a biker crew outside town but he is not the kind you want to get mixed up with.”

“Zayden,” I repeated softly as if I was tasting the name on my tongue.

“Yeah. If you’re smart, you’ll stay far away from that one,” he said. “Looking at you, he’s not your type.”

“You don’t know my type,” I said quickly.

He laughed. “You’re right. But I know his, and trust me, princess, you’re not it.”

I picked up my bag completely ignoring his comment. “Thanks for the information.”

“Don’t mention it,” he said, voice teasing. “But a quick piece of advice. If you’re going to chase a man like him, maybe start by asking yourself if you can handle the fire.”

I paused halfway to the door and turned back. “I didn’t ask for your advice.”

He shrugged, his grin never fading. “You’ll wish you took it my lady.”

………..

 I stood by my car, staring at the slip of paper he’d given me. A name and a number. It looked ordinary written down, but it didn’t feel ordinary at all. My fingers trembled slightly as I unlocked my phone and typed the digits in.

My thumb hovered over the call button. I stared at the screen, my heart thudding louder than the music still echoing faintly from inside. I wanted to hear his voice again even if it was just once. Just to say thank you and maybe explain I told myself. 

But what if he didn’t pick up? What if he remembered me and hung up? What if…

 “What the hell am I doing?” I whispered to no one in particular.