Chapter 7 - Vladimir
The pounding bass reverberates through my chest as I scan the dimly lit nightclub, searching for one face among the sea of writhing bodies. My breath catches when I finally spot her.
Sofia. And some bastard has his hands all over her, trying to pull her onto his lap.
I clench my fists, ready to claw out his guts.
Just then, Sofia pushes him away, an uncomfortable laugh escaping her lips as she extracts herself from his grasp. My fists clench at my sides, surprise and anger warring inside me. What the hell is she doing here? And who the hell is that?
I watch as she smooths down her dress, her movements fluid and graceful despite the awkwardness of the situation. Even from across the room, I can see the shift in her demeanor. The forced amusement melts away, replaced by a collected, charming giggle.
She takes a step away from the man, her chin lifted in that proud tilt. My eyes follow her every move as she walks away from him in a hurry, drinking in the sight of her. The way the strobing lights catch on her pin-straight blonde hair, the elegant line of her neck as she turns.
And then, as if feeling the weight of my gaze, she freezes. Our eyes lock across the crowded dance floor, and I see the moment recognition hits. Her green eyes widen in what appears to be panic and guilt. "Damn it, Sofia," I mutter under my breath, already moving toward her. "What are you playing at?"
I push through the throng of sweaty bodies, my eyes never leaving Sofia's face. The pulsing beat of the music thrums through my chest, but it's nothing compared to the thundering of my heart. Frustration and urgency fuel my steps as I shove past gyrating dancers and drunken revelers.
"Move," I growl, barely aware of the words leaving my mouth. My protective instincts are in overdrive, every fiber of my being focused on reaching her.
Sofia's eyes widen as I approach, her body tensing like a deer caught in headlights. But she doesn't run. Of course not. That would be too easy.
I finally break through the last wall of bodies separating us. The scent of her perfume hits me, a delicate contrast to the overwhelming smell of alcohol and sweat permeating the club.
"What the hell are you doing here?" I demand, my voice raised to be heard over the pounding music. "Why did you leave the mansion without telling anyone?"
Sofia's chin lifts, her green eyes flashing with that familiar icy defiance. "I wasn't aware I needed your permission to go out, Vlad," she retorts, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
I clench my jaw, torn between admiration for her spirit and frustration at her recklessness. "This isn't about permission, Sofia. It's about safety. Do you have any idea how dangerous it is for you to be here alone?"
She rolls her eyes, crossing her arms over her chest. "I'm hardly alone. And I can take care of myself."
"Really?" I growl, leaning in closer. "Is that why you were sitting on some stranger's lap?"
A flicker of something—embarrassment? Anger?—passes across her face before it's quickly masked. "It’s not what it looks like," she snaps. “And are you fucking spying on me?”
I struggle to keep my temper in check, reminding myself that losing it won't help the situation. But God, this woman tests my patience like no other.
I take a deep breath, steeling myself for her reaction. "I tracked your phone," I admit, watching her face carefully. "I thought you might have been kidnapped."
Sofia's eyes widen, shock quickly replaced by indignation. "You did what?" she hisses, her voice low and dangerous. "How dare you invade my privacy like that!"
Her anger is palpable, radiating off her in waves. I can't help but admire the fire in her eyes, even as I brace myself for the tirade I know is coming.
“Your privacy?” My voice goes up a notch. “What about your audacity? You’re married to me, god damn it, and here you are, sneaking away to some sleazy nightclub with some strange man?”
She pauses, lowering her eyes. I see the guilt crossing her face in the way she avoids my gaze. Then, she looks up and sighs. "I'm simply here to unwind, I swear. I only just met him."
As I struggle to form a response, I notice her eyes suddenly dart past me, scanning the crowd. The anger in her expression gives way to something else—panic.
"Sofia?" I ask, my protective instincts flaring. "What's wrong?"
She doesn't answer, but I follow her gaze to see the man she was with earlier, pushing through the crowd, clearly searching for her. Sofia's breath catches, and I feel her tense beside me.
"We need to go," she says urgently, all pretense of nonchalance gone. "Now, Vlad."
I'm torn between demanding answers and getting her to safety. But one look at the genuine fear in her eyes makes my decision for me. Whatever's going on, it's clear she doesn't want to be found by that man.
"Alright," I nod, her security becoming my number one priority. "Let's get you out of here."
Without a word, I wrap my fingers around her wrist and guide her through the writing crowd. The whole time, her eyes dart frantically as she searches for an escape.
"In here," I hiss, pulling her toward a door marked 'Employees Only'. We burst into what appears to be a supply closet, and I slam the door shut behind us.
The space is cramped, barely large enough for the two of us. Shelves laden with cleaning supplies press in from all sides, and the smell of bleach hangs heavy in the air. I can feel the heat radiating off Sofia's body, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she catches her breath.
"Sofia," I growl, my patience wearing thin. "Who was that man? Why were you with him?"
Her green eyes meet mine in the dim light, defiance warring with something else—fear? Uncertainty? She opens her mouth, then closes it again, her brow furrowing as she seems to debate with herself.
"It's… complicated," she finally says, her voice barely above a whisper.
I lean in closer, our faces mere inches apart. "Then uncomplicate it for me," I demand, my tone brooking no argument.
Sofia's eyes flash, that familiar icy demeanor sliding back into place. "He was just some guy, Vlad. No one important," she snaps, but I can hear the slight tremor in her voice.
"I don’t buy that," I retort, frustration building. "I find you in a seedy club, practically in some stranger's lap, and now you're running scared. What am I supposed to think?"
She flinches at my words, and for a moment, I see a crack in her carefully constructed facade. "You wouldn't understand," she murmurs, her gaze dropping to the floor.
Frustration wells up inside me. I reach out and gently hold her chin, forcing her to look into my eyes. Her lips part and her eyes widen as I step an inch closer, leaning in until I feel her body pressed against mine.
“Try me,” I insist, my voice low and intense. "I can't protect you if you won't let me in, Sofia."
“Protect me?” she asks, her voice trailing off toward the end. A strange look crosses her face, one of disbelief, as though she can’t comprehend why I’d want to do something like that.
“Yes. Protect you. I don’t care that you went to a nightclub, Sofia. My only worry is that you could get hurt. You’re my responsibility now, can’t you see that? I have to know why you were hiding.”
Sofia's breath hitches, her chest rising and falling rapidly. I can see the pulse point in her neck fluttering, betraying her nervousness despite her icy exterior.
"I'm not hiding," she murmurs, but there's a tremor in her voice that tells me otherwise.
"Liar," I growl, my frustration reaching its peak. It’s impossible to be in this confined space with her without wanting more. The longer we talk, the more my resolve weakens.
She continues to look at me, her breath uneven. Her lower lip quivers, like she’s caught in a situation she doesn’t have an out from.
“Hey,” I whisper, suddenly worried. I reach over and push a strand of her hair behind her ear. “Shh, just relax.”
Sofia's eyes widen at the unexpected gesture, her breath hitching as our faces remain inches apart. It’s a rare moment of vulnerability, and it catches me off guard.
As my thumb brushes against her cheek, Sofia lets out a shaky exhale, her gaze flickering between my eyes and lips. The air crackles with such tension, and I feel every cell in me come alive.
The next thing I know, I’m slowly inching closer. She gets on her toes, meeting me halfway, and the next thing I know, I have my lips against hers. I groan as she nibbles at my lower lip softly, and I reach out to hold her by the waist. I feel her tremble, and the blood gushes to my head at the softness of her lips against mine.
The whole time, her hands stay by her side. I wonder if she’s not actually interested, and I consider pulling away—but then she parts her lips for me.
Fuck me.
My tongue slides into her mouth with fierce passion, and she kisses me back, but something in her manner seems like she’s holding back. Slowly, I caress her back, putting an end to the kiss, and pull back.
A flash of disappointment crosses her face, but her body is rigid. Strange. She was responsive during the kiss, but there are mixed signals.
Almost like she didn’t know what to do with herself during it.
“Hey,” I ask softly, reaching out for her cheek. “Are you okay?”
She nods, doe-eyed, and places her hand over mine, gently leaning into me.
I think back to what just happened. Her inexperience was evident in the hesitant way she moved her lips against mine, the slight trembling of her shoulders as she kept her hands by her side. And now? She’s leaning into my caress with such comfort.
It's endearing and maddening all at once. My mind races, torn between desire and suspicion. Is this genuine? Or is it another one of her calculated moves?
Sofia pulls back at last, her emerald eyes wide and searching. I see vulnerability there and for a moment, I allow myself to hope that this is real, that she's finally letting me in.
But then a loud banging on the door shatters the moment.
"Sofia! Are you in there?" A man's voice, rough and impatient, calls out.
Sofia freezes in my arms, her face draining of color. The panic in her eyes is unmistakable as she whispers, "It's him."
My protective instincts flare to life. "Who is he, Sofia? What does he want?"
She shakes her head frantically, pressing a finger to my lips. "Please, Vlad. We need to get out of here. Now."
I scan the small room quickly, my eyes landing on a narrow window near the ceiling. Without hesitation, I stride toward it, my decision made. "This way," I whisper urgently, already working to unlatch the window.
Sofia's eyes widen. "Are you serious? We can't—"
"We can, and we will," I interrupt, pushing the window open. The cool night air rushes in, a stark contrast to the stuffy heat of the supply room. "I'll boost you up."
She hesitates for a moment. It's a side of Sofia I've never seen before.
"Trust me," I say softly, holding out my hand.
Sofia's green eyes meet mine, conflict evident in their depths. Then, with a barely perceptible nod, she places her hand in mine.
I lift her easily, marveling at how light she feels. As she scrambles through the window, I can't help but admire her grace, even in this awkward situation.
"Vlad," she hisses from outside, "hurry!"
The pounding on the door grows more insistent. I hoist myself up and out, landing beside Sofia in what appears to be a narrow alley behind the club.
"Are you alright?" I ask, scanning her for any signs of injury.
She nods, then lets out a shaky laugh. "I can't believe we just did that. I feel like I'm in some ridiculous action movie."
I can't help but smile at her unexpected humor. "Well, consider me your dashing co-star. Now, let's get you home before the villains catch up."
As we hurry down the alley, I keep a protective arm around Sofia's waist. She doesn't pull away, and I can feel the slight trembling of her body against mine.
"Sofia," I begin, my voice low and serious, "when we get back, we need to talk about what's really going on."
She tenses beside me but doesn't argue. "Vlad, please," she whispers, her voice barely audible over the distant thrum of the nightclub's music. "Just… not here. Not now. They can’t see me with you."
They? A memory comes back from when I caught her with those thugs in that bar. Could this have something to do with the crew she’s been running around with?
I nod, tightening my hold on her as we emerge onto a bustling street. "Let's get you home safe first. Then we'll figure out the rest."