CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER TWO

The club was packed with people moving in and out, laughter and music blending into one chaotic rhythm.

I showed my ID to the large, muscular bouncer, and he let me in without a word.

Sadie and I had been here once before, so I roughly knew my way around.

The music blasted through the speakers as I made my way to the bar.

“Two shots of tequila,” I said.

I needed to clear my head—just for a while.

I climbed onto a high stool and downed the first shot, then the second.

That was when I remembered. I was a light drinker.

Great.

I turned toward the lounge area and froze.

A man was staring at me.

No… not staring.

Watching.

My stomach tightened.

His tattoos stretched across his chest and neck, dark ink creeping dangerously close to his face.

Nope. Time to go.

I quickly reached for my purse to pay and leave.

Then I felt it—a cold hand brush against my back.

“Hey,” a voice said.

I stiffened.

“Please, leave me alone,” I said firmly, pulling away.

“Our boss just wants to talk,” another man added. “You’ll be taken care of.”

My heart started pounding.

I tried to walk away, but strong hands grabbed my arms.

“Let me go!” I said, struggling.

People noticed.

But no one stepped in.

The music was too loud. The moment too normal for them.

And just like that, I was led toward the lounge.

Each step made my chest tighter.

“Here she is, boss.”

They released me.

I stood there, shaken.

“Sit." The tattooed man said, patting the seat beside him.

“I just want to leave,” I said, my voice barely steady.

My head was starting to spin.

The tequila.

Bad timing.

“Sit,” he repeated, more firmly.

They pushed me down onto the seat.

My hands trembled.

I couldn’t think clearly anymore.

The room felt heavy.

Wrong.

Everything felt wrong.They pushed me down onto the seat.

My hands trembled violently, my thoughts slipping out of control as the alcohol blurred everything.

“Please… just let me go,” I whispered, my voice breaking.

He leaned closer, invading my space, his presence suffocating.

I turned my face away, my heart pounding so loudly it drowned out the music.

“Hold her,” he ordered.

Strong hands pinned me in place.

Panic surged through me.

I struggled, but it was useless. My eyes were blurry from tears but I could partially see him unbuckling his belt.

Tears streamed down my face as fear completely took over.

“Let me go!” I cried, my voice shaking.

But no one came.

No one helped.

The world around me continued like nothing was happening.

“Alfonso.”

The voice cut through everything.

Cold. Sharp. Controlled.

The hands on me froze.

The air shifted instantly.

“What are you doing?” the voice asked again.

The weight on me lifted.

I gasped, pulling myself upright, shaking uncontrollably.

“I'm just having fun, boss.”

“She doesn’t look like she’s enjoying herself,” the voice continued.

Silence followed.

Heavy.

Dangerous.

Then,

“You’re lucky I’m in a good mood today. Leave.”

No argument.

No hesitation.

They left.

Just like that.

And then it was just me…and him.

I lifted my gaze slowly.

And froze.

His eyes.

Cold yet strangely calm.

Sharp but not cruel.

For a moment, everything else faded.

Is he real?

“Are you… an angel?” I mumbled, my thoughts slipping.

A faint smirk touched his lips.

He stepped closer, then paused.

I reached out and lightly grabbed his sleeve without thinking.

“What are you doing, Little lamb?” he asked.

“You’re… really handsome. What's your name?” I said softly, my words clumsy.

Oh God. What am I saying?

He exhaled, almost amused.

Then suddenly, Everything spun.

Welp! I threw up on him.

And darkness followed.

*****************************

I woke up with a pounding headache.

I groaned and turned slightly.

Something felt off.

The bed.

Too big. Too soft.

I opened my eyes fully.

This wasn’t my room.

The walls were painted in a clean off-white, reflecting the soft light in the room. Gold accents lined the furniture, and large windows stretched across one side.

It looked… expensive.

Where am I?

Then it hit me.

The club.

The man.

MY CAR.

“Oh no… my dad's going to kill me.”

I sat up quickly.

My dress was still intact.

My purse sat neatly on a table nearby.

Before I could move further, the door opened.

And he walked in.

I froze.

He looked… unreal.

His dark hair was slightly damp, his expression calm, unreadable.

He stopped when he saw me.

“You’re awake,” he said.

“Yes…” I replied, suddenly very aware of myself.

“I should go,” I added quickly.

I moved toward a door—wrong one.

I heard a quiet scoff behind me.

Heat rushed to my face.

“Other side,” he said.

“Right. Thanks.”

“You should eat first,” he added. “You didn’t exactly have a calm night.”

“I’m fine,” I said.

“That wasn’t a suggestion.”

His tone changed.

Firm.

I paused.

“…Okay.”

A few minutes later, I followed him downstairs.

The place was enormous.

White and gold everywhere. Clean. Structured. Almost unreal. It must've been a palace or something. Is he a prince?

We reached the dining area and I was awed.

Food was already set.

I didn’t even pretend, I was starving.

I ate.

And for the first time since yesterday…

I felt normal.

When I finished, he handed me something.

My car keys.

Relief washed over me instantly.

“Thank you… seriously,” I said.

“You should be more careful,” he replied.

Something about his tone made my chest tighten.

Not fear.

Something else.

I quickly shook it off.

“You still haven’t told me who you are, and who are those men?” I said.

He looked at me.

For a moment… unreadable.

Then—

“I’m a mafia boss,” he said quietly.

I blinked.

Confused.

Before I could respond, he laughed.

Low. Brief.

“You should go home, Lara Finn.”

My heart skipped.

He knew my name.