The Real Danger

Cattleya’s POV

I smiled and shook my head at him. 

"I think you shouldn't answer that," I replied. 

Then, I walked right past him as I went into his house. The room was dark and cozy, just like him. I glanced back at him when he followed me inside. 

I let out a gasp as his hand reached my shoulder, and my back scraped against his chest. 

He turned me around to face him. I could hardly breathe because he was so close. 

Finally, I asked him the question that made him frown: "So you run the Inferno Nightclub, right? Does the name Ariella ring a bell?"

Jaxon's frown deepened, his eyes narrowing as he studied my face. "The name sounds familiar," he finally replied. "I think I've heard it before. Why do you ask?” 

He stepped forward and I stepped back when he was so close to me that it was hard for me to breathe properly. 

“Are you looking for a missing woman? I apologize, I don't keep women in my vault."

Softly scowling, my heart hurt because I thought he knew Ariella, or maybe he didn't know her at all.

But in the back of my mind, his picture kept flashing back: the old images of Ariella with her friends and him at a different table, never realizing he was there. 

That picture was taken one month ago before Ariella was murdered. 

"Well, that woman," I spat out, the pain in my chest making it hard to breathe. "She was murdered! They found three bullets in her body!"  

He put his finger on my lips, the touch sending a jolt through me, but it wasn't entirely unwelcome. 

Was I drawn to danger, or was there something more to Jaxon? 

His gaze held mine, intense and unreadable.

"Why are you asking me this?" 

"Because I know who you are." 

"Do you know who I am? Then are you not scared that you might not walk out of here alive?"

I managed to sigh softly and tried to calm myself down, then I stepped two steps back while staring at him, “Why would I be scared of you?” but deep down inside, I’m really scared of him.

He seemed taken aback by what I said and proceeded to laugh it off. 

Until he finally said, "I'm not sure I understand what you're saying—"

"Tell me how you can explain being in Ariella's pictures." I asked, and I thought this was my chance to find out the truth. 

He answered calmly, "Well, let's just say I know a lot of people, sometimes you end up in pictures you don't remember taking." 

He sighed as he ran his fingers through his dark hair; clearly, he wasn't a fan of our conversation. 

Tension filled the air, and I couldn't tell if he was talking to me or making a threat. 

He then said, "Look, I know you're looking for an answer, but this isn't exactly the safest place to come look around." 

Then he smirked dangerously at me, his hands slipping into his pockets. 

He walked toward me, his gaze so intense it made me feel like I would faint at any second.

"What are you doing?" 

He pressed me against the wall, a sudden and forceful action that sent a jolt of fear down my spine. 

He inhaled deeply, his eyes, dark and penetrating, holding mine in a grip of intense scrutiny as he whispered, "You're smart but don't you know that seducing a man like me can put yourself in danger?" 

I shook my head and angrily denied, "I am not seducing you, Mr. Moretti." 

He chuckled, "So you can ask me some personal questions about what happened to your twin sister? Do you think I was the one who killed her?” 

My jaw hung slack in shock. I never realized he was so incredibly smart to have figured out my motives. 

I gasped softly, "So, you're going to kill me too?"

My heart hammered a frantic rhythm against my ribs as his eyes landed on my chest. 

"No," he said, his voice a low rumble. "Why would I kill someone like you..." a sly smile played on his lips, "...if I can use you?"

"Use me for what?!" I demanded, panic rising in my throat.

He smiled, a glint in his eyes. "We need to finish what we started, Cattleya."

My mind traveled back to the VIP room, the memory vivid: me kissing him back, igniting a fire in his gaze.

Damn, what a bad idea. Now, this man clearly wanted something nefarious from me.

I shoved him away, my voice firm. "If you don't know anything about my twin sister, then please let me go."

He chuckled a dark sound that sent shivers down my spine. "Not so fast, honey." He looked at me and added, "Oh, I can't just let you go. You throw yourself at me, and who am I to push you away?"

I sent him an angry look as he shoved me into his master bedroom. "What on earth are you trying to do with me?"

"Honey, there's always a price. I replied to the question you asked. Now it's your turn to pay."

Seized by panic, I lashed out and kicked him where it hurt most - his groin. 

He groaned over in pain, his eyes widening in shock. 

My own eyes widened in horror. 

"Sorry! Sorry, does it hurt?" I stammered.

Before he could react, I shoved him aside and flung open the door. I raced down the stairs, completely unaware that the real danger was waiting for me downstairs.

"Cattleya!" Jaxon growled in rage and followed me downstairs.

I froze and looked over at him in disbelief; the thought of another man brandishing a knife and gun at me sent shivers down my spine. 

Panic rising, I slowly backed away, tears streaming down my cheeks. 

I looked back at Jaxon, a gun held menacingly in his hand. Across from him, another man mirrored the gesture, aiming at

Jaxon. 

Who could I trust? Should I run? But what if one of them shoots me?

Until Jaxon said, "Don't move."