After a long day of rehearsals, I found myself face down on the piano keys. My back was aching and my fingers hurt. I turned the fallboard down, grabbed the music sheets from the music rack and decided to take a warm bath. The warm water felt amazing against my aching muscles. Suddenly my phone rang. I looked at my phone and it was Luke.

“What now?” I complained. He chuckled. “Ready for tonight?” My eyes widened. “Shit, that was tonight? I thought that was next week?”

“No Snowflake, I told you it was tonight.” I let out a curse. So much for relaxing after a long day of work. I am in no mood to go to some high-end bar. I just wanted to be in my sweater, boxers and call it a night. “I’ll pick you up in thirty?” I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Okay,” and the call dropped.

I savored every waking second that I was still submerged in relaxing warm water. I looked out the window, my heart started pounding. I don’t have any specific strategy in mind to make sure Killian doesn’t even have a chance to see me, not even my shadow. I’m praying that the crowd would be too much or he’s in a VIP lounge of sorts and would not bother to go out of that room.

I went out of the bathroom and went to my closet. I don’t have any idea what to wear. I settled in with a black bomber jacket paired with white shirt underneath, black jeans, and my combat boots. I made sure my necklace was tucked under my shirt. The ring pendant felt cool on my skin. I touched it briefly.

Maybe you can keep me safe for tonight? I smiled. The thought of him flashed my head.

If he was still around, maybe things were different. The doorbell rang, breaking me out of my reverie. I put on some cologne, styled my platinum blonde hair, making sure no strands of hair fell across my forehead and studied myself in the mirror.

I think I look decent. I thought.

I hear footsteps. Luke already showed himself in. Well he already has a spare key to my apartment anyway. I just told him to always press the doorbell first before letting himself in, if I haven’t answered the door immediately. I went out of my closet, grabbed the essentials, and looked down on the main floor. Luke was standing by the living room. I started descending downstairs to meet him.

“Well…well…someone looks ravishing tonight.” I rolled my eyes. Obviously, he was teasing. “Not too shabby yourself.” Luke was wearing a black blazer paired with a black shirt, a pair of denim jeans and dress shoes, his blond hair was brushed up, looking like he just came out of a hair gel commercial. He wrapped his arms around me. “Let’s go?” I frowned. “Oh, c’mon Snowflake, try to enjoy yourself even just for this night. For me?”

I gave out a smile. “Fine…” and we went out of my apartment and towards his nightclub. We drove for about thirty minutes and parked behind a small two-storey, wide building. “This is the place?” I asked him as he turned the engine off. “Yup,” he said, popping the “p” at the end. “Let’s go.” He unlocked the door and headed straight at the entrance in front. My eyes widened as there was a red carpet and cameras flashed from all directions. I grabbed his wrist. “Can we just go through the back door?” He gave out a laugh.

“It’s just some photos.” We walked the red carpet and stopped at where the photos were being taken. Luke’s arm was around my hip as we took photos. I gave out a smile and tried not to get photosensitive epilepsy. I had to take in so many camera flashes just for this night. Luke then pulled me towards the entrance. There were two security guards on both sides of the door. They just gave Luke and I a brief nod as we went in.

The bass of the music was blaring against my ear. It was too dim but there were laser lights and blue lights flashing. I could see a huge screen with the words Club Nirvana at the end of the room with an elevated platform. The DJ was playing random house music. Every now and then, he’s shouting something on his mic to pump up the crowd. It smelled like a mix of alcohol, sweat and cigarettes. The bar was not too far from the stage where the DJ was. The whole place was packed which, thank God it was. Luke held my wrist as we weaved through the bodies swaying and grinding each other.

I want to go home.

We started going up a staircase and I realized the second floor of the building were VIP booths with a view of the dance floor below. We were about to enter the first room when I pulled Luke before he got the chance to turn the knob on the door. “Is Killian inside?!” I yelled to his ear so he could hear me. “Yes!” He replied. I gave him a look. “You’ll be fine! There are others in here too!” As if that was reassuring. “Do you want to get me killed?!”

“Nonsense! I got you!” I was about to make another protest when he opened the door and we went in. As soon as the door shut behind us, I was surprised that it was quieter. I sighed in relief. The loud bass was killing my eardrums.

I was surprised to see that the room was spacious. There was a lounge that could fit probably fifteen people or more, a mini bar with a bartender on one side and there was an elevated platform in the middle with a pole. Suddenly, I felt a cold stare boring into my body. The man himself was in the lounge, with five women, two on his side. The last one was sitting on his lap. She wore a fitted mid-rib top, leather skirt and high strappy heels. Her straight blond hair cascaded down her back like a golden waterfall. He looked like a King surrounded by his concubines.

I fought the bile that was rising from my throat. I really want to go home.

“Come,” Luke said as we sat not much far from Killian. I could have sworn I wanted to punch Luke on the face for seating so close to the asshole. A waitress came to us and asked if we wanted anything. I just asked if they had wines available. Surprisingly they have and just asked for a glass of Rose wine. Luke asked for a scotch. I looked at him.

“I never pegged you for a scotch guy.” He laughed. “I’ve been a scotch guy ever since, Snowflake.” I raised my brow. “Last time I checked, you’re a three-dollar-bottled-beer kind of guy.” He let out a wholehearted laugh.

I was thankful that Luke tried to make me feel comfortable, despite the odds of being possibly mangled to death by the man seated not far from us. Surprisingly I’m still breathing from the millions of death glares he had thrown in my direction. Occasionally, my eyes wandered to Killian. He seemed to be enjoying himself. The woman on her lap was giving him kisses from his chest to his throat and then up his lips. He was wearing a black dress shirt with the top buttons opened, exposing his perfectly carved chest.

The chest you once laid your head as you were sleeping.

I frowned. What the hell am I thinking? I dropped my third glass of wine for the night. Luke gave me a look. “Something wrong?” I shook my head and gazed through the floor to ceiling window In front and lazily watched other people sway to the beat of muffled music outside.

Not long after Luke spoke, breaking me out of my reverie. “Bathroom. One sec,” I was about to tell him that I wanted to go with him, but he was already out of the door. Now, there’s just a huge space between Killian and I. The other women beside him were gone, except for the beautiful blonde on his lap.

I heard him moan as the woman was now straddled on his lap, kissing every inch of his skin. His muscular arms rested by the lounge’s backrest, head thrown back, eyes closed. Another moan escaped his lips and I grabbed the glass of wine and took a sip. I can feel heat starting to run through every fiber of my being.

When I noticed the moaning stop, it was already replaced by the sound of two people making out. I can feel my face heat up. Without me knowing, I looked at Killian who’s currently engaged in a passionate kiss with the woman on his lap. His arms were now wrapped around the woman’s torso, pressing her against him.

But what caught me off guard was, his eyes were opened and directed at me. His hazel eyes were full of desire and intensity making my insides weak. I finished the glass of wine and darted out of the room. I couldn’t help it. The longer I stayed, the more I would have lost my sanity.

Get a grip Reidyr. It’s nothing. He was just… playing with your head. I told myself over and over like a prayer.

I went through the back door to get some air. As soon as the night Portland breeze permeated my lungs, I sighed in relief. The image of Killian making out while his eyes were on me, burned through my head, playing over and over like a broken record. I have to go. I remembered Luke was still inside. I tried to dial his phone but no response.

In defeat, I decided to go in and look for him in the bathroom. The stalls were empty, and I tried to look for him on the dancefloor, but it was like looking for a needle in a haystack. There were too many people and it was not exactly well lit to recognize him through the crowd. I didn’t dare to go back to that room, not when Killian was there making out with a woman.

After what felt like an eternity later, I sat on the bar near the stage where the DJ was, taking a quick break from trying to find Luke. I fished out my phone and tried calling his number again for the millionth time. Where the hell could he be? I was starting to get annoyed. I didn’t realize someone was already talking to me.

“You okay?” the voice asked. I looked at the owner of the voice. My head snapped up; I knew who that was.

“Gray?!” I smiled at him as if he was an answered prayer from above.

“What are you doing here?!” He just shrugged and took the last sip of his drink. “Fancy meeting you here!” He leaned in so I could hear. “It’s quite loud in here, do you want to go outside?!” I nodded. As soon as we were out, relief washed over my ears. I heard him chuckle.

Grayson’s hair was tied in a messy bun. He wore a dark grey dress shirt with the two buttons opened and sleeves rolled up, exposing skin which was lightly dusted with hair.

“I didn’t peg you for a club kid.” I laughed. “I don’t either! I wanted to go home but I can’t find my friend who I went here with. He was my ride home too.” I looked at the screen of my phone. “What brings you here anyway?”

“I’m just supporting my childhood best friend. He co-owns the bar and asked me to go as his date for the opening.” Curiosity flashed in his grey eyes. Curiosity, with a hint of shock. “He’s an awful date, bailing on you like that.” He jested. I laughed.

“Oh, I’ll tell him that.” He placed his hands in the pocket of his jeans. “So, do you need a ride home?” I bit my lip. I nodded. “C’mon, let’s go.” I sighed in relief. “Thank you. You’re a lifesaver.” We started walking to the parking area. “I owe you. Just tell me anything that you want.” I offered.

“Anything?” we stopped as he leaned forward, his eyes being playful. I laughed. “Anything as long as I’m absolutely sure I can provide it.” He placed a finger on his lips and looked up, thinking.

“I’ll let you know as soon as anything comes up.” I rolled my eyes. “You’re going to kill me with the suspense.”

“It would be fun that way.” he wiggled his eyebrows playfully earning a laugh from me. “Let’s get you home.” I nodded and smiled. In a blur, someone grabbed Grayson by the shoulder and a punch came onto his face. My eyes widened and my hands covered my mouth to stifle a scream. Suddenly, I felt my whole body freeze. I saw Luke pulling Killian.

“What the fuck were you thinking?!” Luke yelled at Killian, but Killian was just seething with rage. His eyes were piercing with anger. I went to Grayson who’s surprised as I was. There was a cut on his lip and a bruise starting to form at the corner of his mouth.

What the fuck is happening?

My brain was having a hard time processing what’s going on. Killian was shouting things at Grayson, but it was as if he was speaking in tongues. Luke on the other hand was trying to calm Killian down. A tall, statuesque woman came to Grayson’s side and checked his face. She was dark skinned wearing a fitted top and leather pants paired with high heels. She was rocking big, natural hair.

What’s weird was, she and Grayson were talking calmly while the other two were engaged in a shouting contest. I was standing in the middle like a bystander, eavesdropping, wanting to know happened. The beautiful woman looked at me.

“I’ll make sure he’s safe dear.” She gave me a playful wink and went with Grayson in his car as they drove off. Killian never removed his eyes from Grayson even when his car has driven off from the property. I didn’t realize Luke was gone and it was just Killian and I by the parking lot.

“What the hell was that all about?” I asked him in irritation. He was cradling his right hand. “Oh, so you decided to be mute now?” He still didn’t say anything. I sighed. “You know what, I’m going home.” I raised my hands in defeat and started walking past him.

He suddenly grabbed my wrist. “What were you doing with Grayson?” His tone was full of acid. I tried to yank my wrist out of his grip, but his grip was too tight. “None of your business. Let me go.” I never forgot how his touch made me feel. “Let. Me. Go.” I warned.

“I’m taking you home.” I gaped at him. “Excuse me?” His muscles were tense, and I could smell sweet perfume on him. I knew it wasn’t his. A different type of anger was starting to rise at the pit of my stomach.

“I’m taking you home. Get in the car.” It was an order, one that I don’t intend to follow.

I was able to break free from his grip and started walking in the other direction. I rubbed my abused wrist until the next thing I knew, he swept me off my feet and carried me on his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. “Put me down you brute!” I started kicking in the air and throwing punches on his back. He on the other hand, remained unbothered.

“Killian! Put me down!”

He was still walking towards his car. I heard the car door open and he practically tossed me on the front seat. I was about to push him away when he pressed my chest against my seat and leaned closer. He smelled strongly of alcohol and sweet perfume. His wolf-like eyes demanded I stay put.

“Move a muscle and I swear to God I will chain you to this seat.” I knew he wasn’t joking. He fastened my seat belt and shut the door forcefully. I jumped at the impact as he slammed the door shut. My heart was thumping against my rib cage, hard. He went inside, sat on the driver’s seat, roared the engine to life and drove.