Chapter One – The Tattooed Killer With Killer Looks!

Sydney

Driving southeast, I followed the W. Sunset Blvd. blindly, with no destination in mind. My only goal now was to get far away from my home in the picturesque Pacific Palisades. Keeping a watch in the rear-view mirror, I drove on towards Long Beach. Although it was unlikely that Louis would follow me, I had to be cautious. My custom-built red Land Rover could be recognized even in the darkness. 

I regretted the impulsive decision to take my car. How would I hide with it? My dad would track me down easily. How stupid could I be? 

My body longed to curl up in a warm bed and rest. But I couldn’t give in to the temptation. Although there were many hotels in the vicinity, I didn’t stop at Long Beach. My throat felt parched as I drove down the San Diego Freeway. There were so many pubs on the way to Carlsbad, but I avoided them. My car would be a sure giveaway to my presence. Steering the car off the freeway, I drove towards the beach. 

On the way, my gaze fell on an upscale nightclub, Sunset Vista Lounge. With a sea of cars parked in its vast parking space, I could easily blend in. It was well past midnight, yet the nightclub was overcrowded. 

Taking off the hoodie, I grimaced at my black tube top, black leather pants, and black boots combo. I looked like a wild thing! It wasn’t actually nightclub attire, but it would do. Who would see me tonight? 

The bouncer at the entrance door stopped me before I could enter. “You can’t go in.”

I gave him a clueless look. “Why not? I’m twenty-one.”  

“ID, please.” He gave me a look of disbelief. 

My mind went blank. After turning twenty-one, I hadn’t expected them to ask for it. “I left it in my car.”

He shook his head. “I’m sorry, miss. You can’t go in. Step aside, please.” He ignored me to focus on the others behind me. All the others trooped in, giving me awkward glances. I wanted to die of shame. If it had been any other day, I would have left. But tonight, I needed something in my system to give me the strength to revolt. 

“You can’t stop me. I don’t see you checking everyone’s ID proof!” 

“They are regulars and older.” 

I wanted to tear my hair off in frustration. Who wanted to trudge all the way to the parking lot? Anyway, I didn’t want him to know my identity. It would be easier for my family to locate me. 

“Look, I’m not underage. I can show you proof.” I swiped my phone and scrolled through my gallery. There was a picture of Emilia’s college ID card saved there. We looked almost alike, with chocolate brown hair and green eyes. I doubted the bouncer would notice. I showed him the picture, pointing at her date of birth, which was two months before mine. “Here, see for yourself.”

He inspected the photograph. “This isn’t your photo.” 

“What the f*ck! You’ve got to be kidding me!” I lost my temper over the stubborn man. How did he know?

“Go home, miss. This place isn’t for you.”

Footsteps crunched behind me, and I turned to check. The bouncer shoved me aside to make way for them. My gaze fell on a tall man in a black leather jacket and dark sunglasses marching in with three others. His chiseled face and towering muscular frame made him stand out in a crowd. Who wore sunglasses at night? 

Only criminals did.

My instincts prodded me to look away, but I just couldn’t. As he passed by, he stopped for a fraction of a second. The whiff of his cologne penetrated through my nose and seeped into my senses. I felt intoxicated. It was difficult to see his eyes, but my gaze fell on his tattooed, muscular arms and neck. 

I was sure he was bad news. 

I stepped backward to let them pass, my heart pounding in my chest with apprehension. As if my family weren’t enough. I didn’t want to get involved with a criminal. They moved ahead, talking in hushed whispers. 

How did the bouncer not stop them? 

He walked away while the man following him last stopped. “Let the girl enter, Seth.” 

My eyes widened at his implication. Now I had no wish to go inside. “No, thanks. I was just leaving.” 

But he ignored my protests and led me inside. “Enjoy your free drinks.”

I blinked in confusion, but he disappeared behind a closed door. The blasting music and the crazy crowd all around made my head throb. Did he mention free drinks? 

I went upstairs to the expensive VIP section for a moment of peace. One drink and some food were all I intended to have. I couldn’t afford to get intoxicated and end up in police custody for drunken driving. 

I ordered beer and Buffalo chicken wings and looked around as I waited for my order. It seemed I was the only one alone here. Although I was used to receiving attention wherever I went tonight, they made me shudder. I had never been out all by myself so late in the night. 

“Hey, beautiful! Are you lonely?” slurred a voice beside me, making me jump. 

I turned to see a blonde guy with beady blue eyes staggering beside me, gripping a bottle of whiskey. “No. F*ck off!” I yelled at him, feeling nauseated at the sight of the man. 

“Be nice bit*h! And I’ll share my drink with you.” He hardly acknowledged my protests and pulled a chair to sit with me. 

I frantically looked around in a state of panic. The place was teeming with inebriated people, all busy enjoying themselves. No one could hear me, even if I yelled at the top of my voice. “Go away. I’m not interested.” I rose to escape when two men stormed towards us.

I panicked more, recognizing them instantly. They were following the tattooed killer with killer looks! 

Before I could understand, one of them grabbed the lecherous man by his collar. “Stop bothering the girl or you’ll be thrown out,” he yelled, dragging him away. 

“Mind your own business, Mike,” muttered the man, struggling hard to escape. 

“This is our business. If you don’t obey the rules, I’ll have you thrown out of here.”

“F*ck you!” said the man, falling on the floor when Mike released him abruptly. 

I sighed with relief to see them go, but it was short-lived. 

A server arrived with a tray and placed it before me. I frowned at the contents: a gin and tonic with a plate of chicken nuggets. But I hadn’t ordered those. 

“This isn’t my order.” I pushed the tray away. 

“It is for you, miss. A treat from the gentleman at table no 14. Over there.” He pointed at a table, and I scowled at a bald guy clad in a black T-shirt.

“Take it back to him. I’ve already ordered.” Now I was determined to get away from this place without having a thing. Coming here at this odd hour had been a huge mistake. I should have known better. 

My heart constricted with fear at seeing the bald man rise and approach me. I rose too, but to flee. 

“What’s going on now?” asked Mike, striding towards me, and I felt relieved. How did he know something was up? Was he keeping a watch on me? 

“Nothing, Mike, I was just serving her a treat from that gentleman,” said the server, pointing at the guy. 

Mike turned to see the bald guy, and his eyes widened. 

The man stopped in front of us. “Do you have a problem, Mike? Why don’t you leave us alone and focus on your job?” He glared at Mike, shoving him backward. “You know the consequences for interfering in my matters, right?” 

Mike looked ill at ease. “Please, leave the girl alone, Mr. Douglas. She isn’t available.” He looked around for help while Mr. Douglas fumed. 

“That’s my lookout. She’s going out with me.” 

I stepped backwards in fright. When did I agree to go with him? I looked around for a chance to flee this place full of leeches. The bouncer was right. This place wasn’t meant for me. 

Mike gave him a shocked look. “I think you’re mistaken…” 

“Stop. Back off, Mike.” Mr. Douglas grabbed my elbow while I struggled to get free. 

Fear gripped me hard, and I couldn’t utter a single word. It seemed my tongue was paralyzed with fear. Tears of helplessness stung at my eyes. “Please, I don’t want to go with you,” I squeaked, panicking more than ever before.  

“She isn’t going anywhere with you, Douglas. F*ck off! She’s mine!” A booming voice echoed from somewhere behind me.

They stopped bickering and froze. 

I didn’t need to turn to see my saviour. I knew who he was by the scent of his cologne. He was the same tattooed killer with his killer looks! No wonder they were so scared of him. 

His words echoed in my head. 

She’s mine.

Should I be relieved, or should I fear for my life?