CHAPTER FIVE

NEO

No Escape

Daniel Ross was an interesting man. I liked teasing him, riling him up for reasons I couldn’t explain. He always carried that strict, professional look, and I couldn’t wait to be the one to break his cool.

I didn’t like his overbearing attitude or the way he made my life miserable with his rules. That’s why I decided to take matters into my own hands. It had been too long since I’d had any fun, and tonight I planned on sneaking out to a friend’s birthday party at midnight. My schedule was free for once, and I wasn’t about to waste it.

Daniel’s room was right next to mine, so I’d have to wait until all was quiet before I slipped out.

“You’re not going to keep standing there, right?” I asked when Daniel followed me to the entrance of my room.

“Just want to see you get inside before I leave,” he shot back.

“You might as well sleep next to me, Daddy,” I teased.

“Wouldn’t be a problem,” he responded without missing a beat.

“Seriously? Now you want to sleep with me? That’s absurd. People might think you’re secretly obsessed with me,” I teased again.

“You wish,” he deadpanned, finally heading off to his own room.

A sigh of relief escaped my lips. Now all I had to do was wait thirty minutes before starting my mission.

Just then, my phone lit up. It was my friend Mike, the birthday boy. “You still coming?” his text popped up.

“Wouldn’t miss it for the world”, I replied instantly. He shared the live location, and I saved it. Mike wasn’t my best friend, but he was someone I trusted enough to confide in sometimes.

I jumped in the shower and, once I was done, pulled on black slim-fit trousers and a silk shirt the color of midnight blue, leaving the top buttons undone. A silver chain rested at my collarbone, and my watch sat snug on my wrist—nothing too flashy, but expensive enough to be noticed. I finished the look with polished leather boots, sharp enough to draw attention, and sprayed on my favorite designer cologne.

After I took a quick look at myself in the mirror, I tiptoed gently to the door, my heart beating wildly against my ribcage. I was not going to be caught. Not like this. The house looked empty, and the only sounds I could hear were my own heartbeat and my shaky breaths. I used the back door, opening it ever so slightly to avoid any creaks. Stepping outside, the cool midnight breeze caressed my skin, soothing my nervousness.

My baby Sophie looked beautiful as ever in the parking lot. She still looked as new as the first day I bought her. But another thing caught my attention. A black motorbike, sleek and polished. I didn’t ride motorbikes, so I guessed it was Daniel’s. He never told me about it, but that was none of my business. We weren’t friends, so I didn’t expect him to tell me everything.

Right now, I was getting the hell out of this house. Sliding into the driver’s seat, Sophie roared to life, and I took off, heading toward Mike’s birthday party. I just hoped Daniel wouldn’t notice I was gone—or else he’d have my head.

I parked the car a block away and slipped through the crowd gathered outside the building. Paparazzi flashes lit up the entrance like fireworks, but I kept my head down until I was inside. Mike had said it was a private party, but it clearly wasn’t. The place was alive, with music blasting so loud I felt it in my chest. Everyone looked like they were competing to be noticed, dressed in expensive suits, dresses, and jewelry. People stared, recognizing me, murmuring, while others whipped out their phones to take pictures. I couldn’t care less. It was a lifestyle I was used to.

When Mike spotted me, he abandoned a circle of admirers and threw an arm around me.

“Happy birthday, man,” I said, shoving a gift I had wrapped into his arms.

“Thanks, buddy. Long time, knew you’d show up,” he shouted over the music.

I barely had a chance to breathe before he dragged me back to his circle.

“You’ve got to meet this girl, she’s exactly your type,” he whispered into my ear.

I wasn’t exactly looking forward to meeting anyone tonight, but what could possibly go wrong? Besides, it had been a while since I’d had a good fuck.

We stopped in front of a girl in a short silver dress with curly brown hair. She turned, smiling like she’d been waiting just for me.

“Neo Vale in the flesh,” she said, her voice seductively playful. “I thought you only showed up in music videos.”

I flashed her my signature smile, which worked instantly because her cheeks flushed pink.

“Guess you’re lucky tonight.”

“Lucky, huh? Let’s see how lucky I can get then.”

Before I could reply, she pulled me onto the dance floor and started grinding on me.

I let myself enjoy the music and the hot girl in front of me, but the only person I could picture was my broody-looking bodyguard. What the hell was wrong with me? Probably the alcohol.

Just as I grabbed the girl’s waist, I froze.

“What’s wrong? Are you okay?” she asked, concern lacing her voice.

I ignored her and locked onto the most bluish-gray eyes I’d ever seen. Fuck. How did he find me?

He stood near the edge of the dance floor, jaw clenched, eyes locked on me like I’d been caught committing a crime. I couldn’t tell if he wanted to murder me or the girl whose waist I was still holding. Even in the chaos, he was impossible to miss. The devastatingly handsome face that made both men and women stare, the dark, intense gaze that made people instinctively move out of his way.

My stomach dropped.

The girl followed my gaze and finally asked, “A friend of yours?”

Before I could answer, Daniel’s hand clamped around my arm. How did he move so fast?

“Time to go,” he muttered, low but sharp, dragging me through the crush of bodies.

“Hey, let me go!” I hissed, pulling back, heat rushing to my face. His grip burned through my shirt as I caught the whispers starting up around us. People pulled out their phones to record.