TWENTY-ONE
“I didn’t peg you for this type of person,” I murmur, clutching onto Cecilia’s hand like she’s going to disappear into thin air at any second. She only chuckles and shakes her head, continuing to lead me further down the stairs.
“Would you quit complaining? Just… relax, alright?”
It’s easier said than done. Not only am I not feeling this evening, but the cute little club, as Cecilia called it, is located in a basement. The hall is narrow, the stairs steep, and people are pushing each other to get inside first.
They should be lucky I’m not looking for trouble and that Cecilia confiscated every knife I tried to sneak in. She patted me down four times before we arrived, and there was no way for me to get one past her keen senses.
“How can I relax?” I hiss and clutch on her sleeve harder.
Someone pushes me, probably by accident, and I jolt forward. A scowl forms on my face, and I growl in Cecilia’s ear, feeling her skin prickling with goosebumps. She turns, gives me an apologetic smile, and continues to stroll down the stairs.
“We’re here.” She sighs in relief, and a security guard pushes the door open, allowing us in.
A laugh of disbelief slips my lips, a smile on my face as my eyes widen. I release the hold on Cecilia’s sleeve and take a step back, glancing between her and the interior.
“You brought me to a sex club.”
“Obviously. You wouldn’t even glance at this club if I hadn’t forced you, right?”
“And for a reason.” I try to explain, but she stares at me as if I have two heads. “Why would I ever visit a sex club?”
Cecilia shrugs. “To get laid? To explore your kinks? To find a sugar daddy?”
“I can get laid on my own, I have no kinks left to explore, and I’m the sugar daddy here. It’s unnecessary, really. Can we go to some other place?”
“No.” She scowls and flips her hair. “I’m looking for someone.”
I raise an amused brow. “Fine, we’re staying. But I’m here to get drunk only.”
Cecilia claps her hands in excitement and squeals. “Yay! Thank you. Now, I have a reserved booth.”
She grabs my hand and leads me toward the booth. Of course, it’s right in the middle. Even if someone wants to miss us, they can’t because we take up at least thirty-five percent of the club.
“You’ve never heard of the word subtle?”
“Not in my dictionary, no. I go hard or go home.”
I snort. “It’s time for you to go home, then.”
“Shut up, you’re killing my mood.”
“Who are you looking for, anyway?”
Cecilia’s eyes are roaming the room. It’s starting to fill up with people, and the DJ starts blasting some music. It’s not my cup of tea, but it’s bearable. Not a single person walks by without looking at us, and the attention is suffocating.
“Funny story,” Cecilia starts, not a single ounce of humor in her voice. “My father wants to marry me off.”
“Pardon?”
“And the man owns this club. I’m trying to see how he’ll react and to see if I can get him to reject the proposal.”
“How do you plan on doing that?”
She lifts a shoulder. “I’ll think of that once I see him. Though, I doubt he’ll show up.”
“You don’t like him?”
Cecilia groans. “He’s an obnoxious asshole. I’ve met him four times total, and each time he’s made it his goal to piss me off. And succeeded.”
“So what exactly is the plan here?”
“He advised it would be best if I never stepped foot in this place. So here we are. You are here to protect me.”
I blink. “With what? You took away all of my weapons. You’re on your own here.”
“But… you’re an assassin.”
“Yes.” I nod. “Not an MMA fighter, Cecilia. Chances of me winning hand-to-hand combat aren’t in my favor.”
“Basically, you’re useless here.”
“Pretty much.”
“Damn,” she mumbles. “Should’ve brought someone else. How the hell did you manage to survive this long?”
I shrug. “I’m good at fighting, but it’s not my strong suit. I prefer taking them by surprise. It’s easier.”
“It’s cowardly.”
“I don’t care.” I offer her a grin.
She sighs and snaps her fingers. A waiter is immediately next to her as she’s ordering, while I’m too busy scanning the crowd. It’s a sex club, but I definitely didn’t expect it to be this… straightforward.
Is this even legal?
People are kissing aggressively, and half of them have completely removed their clothes. I’m wearing a leather skirt with a corset, and I’m still the person with the most clothes on, despite the revealed skin.
It’s uncomfortable to watch.
The drinks arrive, the bottle closed. It’s whiskey, old and cold. As soon as it slides down my throat, the burning sensation causes my muscles to relax. I drink glass after glass and before I know it, half of the bottle is gone.
“There he is,” Cecilia all but yells, and it gives us unwanted attention, even more than we had until this point.
I slap her thigh, and she hisses in pain.
Then, I turn to look at the man Cecilia’s been waiting for.
Oh, wow.
He’s tall. He definitely looks like a giant compared to her, and she’s five foot nine. His hair is messy in a deep shade of blonde, and he has piercing, blue eyes. And he’s staring right at Cecilia with a clenched jaw and a pissed-off look.
My heart flutters.
Jesus Christ, the tension could be cut with a knife.
“Cec,” I whisper-yell. “He looks ready to devour you.”
“I know,” she whisper-yells back. “Do I let him or not?”
“Didn’t we come here so you’d be able to persuade him not to marry you?”
“Yes.” For some reason, we’re still whispering. “But he’s great eye candy.”
“You knew that before we came here. So tell me, what’s the actual reason we are here?”
“I told you the real reason! But… Should I just go along with it? Like, he’s really good-looking. I mean, he has no personality, but I can probably overlook that, right?”
I shrug. “Don’t know, don’t care. I’ll leave it to you.”
With a swift motion, I gulp down another two glasses and hop off the high stool. I’m on the dance floor while Cecilia is scowling at me, pissed that she’s left alone.
A man approaches me and starts dancing with me.
I’m not looking for anything, but dancing freely like this truly makes me feel alive. The music is blasting, and I forget about all of my problems. My hips sway to the rhythm, my face covered in sweat.
Before I know it, time passes by, and I don’t know any of the people I’m dancing with. A couple of girls, a few younger guys, and everyone is having a good time. People are full-on fucking in the corner of the club, though it only adds to the appeal.
Cecilia is at the bar with her husband-to-be and even from across the room, I see the scowl on her face. She yells something, and he grabs her wrist.
I’m ready to pounce, but I’m stumbling.
Fuck.
I had too much to drink, and now I’m truly useless to her.
Cecilia’s sharp senses notice me, and she raises her free palm up. She doesn’t need me and doesn’t want me to be there. I listen, knowing better than to come in between a possible couple.
I focus the rest of my energy on drinking more.
The last time I got loose was likely last year during Lucas’ birthday party. I had free time in between duties at home and my missions, so I was able to fully relax. It ended up with me nearly drowning in his pool, drunk and with no underwear.
I still have no idea what happened to that pair of lace panties.
My mind goes blank as someone gives me another shot of tequila. Despite knowing how terrible it is to mix drinks, I can’t find it in me to care. For the first time in a while, Dylan and Hudson aren’t on my mind.
I’m dancing with a cute guy, his hands on my hips. The music is fast, and he tries to push our bodies together, to bring us closer.
However, an arm wraps around my throat and pulls me back. I collide with a harsh surface and nearly fall down. He’s not squeezing me enough to hurt me, but I can feel his burning flesh on mine.
Slowly, I turn my head and freeze.
Hudson is shooting daggers at the guy who was dancing with me, jaw clenched.
I can’t think straight.
My mind is filled with him yet again. He manages to rattle my cage time after time and is showing no indication of stopping. My heart is thumping against my ribcage, loud enough for the world to hear.
“Hudson?”
I’m surprised he can hear me over the loud music. Slowly, his eyes drop down to mine, still holding me close to his body. A wave of rage flashes behind those forest greens before he quickly wipes it away.
Or perhaps I wanted to see anger, but it was never there in the first place.
He leans down and whispers in my ear, “What are you doing, Noelle?”
My core throbs, and I’m reminded of the restroom incident. I did my best to shove it to the back of my head, not to think about the freedom and pleasure my enemy made me feel, but now? I can’t deny the sensational ache between my legs.
I swallow a knot in my throat, trying to sustain the animal within.
“Having fun.”
He tilts his head to the side with a raised brow.
“You reek of alcohol. How much have you had to drink?”
I frown.
“Too much.” Honesty is the best policy, right? Well, it seems that it’s wrong of me to be honest because Hudson clutches me closer to his body, and now there’s not even half of an inch of space between us.
“Why are you here?” I ask before allowing myself to get too absorbed in our proximity. I’m trying to ignore it, but my dedication starts dissolving the longer his arm is wrapped around me.
“I followed you here,” he murmurs against my ear, and I bite my tongue to prevent the pathetic side of me from showing.
“You did? Why?”
“Because clearly, you’re not fit to be on your own. Now, either be a good girl and follow me to my car, or watch as I burn this place to the ground and then force you to the car.”
“Why in the world would I come with you?”
A low, dangerously alluring chuckle slips his lips.
“Oh, it’s adorable how you think this is a choice. You’re coming with me, Noelle. Don’t make me tell you again.”
“Or what?”
His eyes close briefly, and he’s desperately trying to remain as calm as possible. His other hand is on my waist, gripping it tight enough for his fingers leave a mark.
“Or I’ll have to resort to a sight that will humiliate you. You have two seconds to decide.”
“But—”
“Your time is up.”
In one second, Hudson releases the grip on me, dropping his hands entirely. A momentary sigh of relief slips my lips, but that’s only brief. Then, he grabs my wrist, spins me around, picks me up, and throws me over his shoulder.
He’s carrying me like a sack of flour, thrown over his shoulder with one of his hands covering my ass that is now nearly visible to the entire club.
I’m trashing and kicking his back, though it’s futile.
I look at Cecilia, who just shrugs, grins, and winks at me before turning to her companion for the night.
Once we’re outside in the parking lot, Hudson puts me down, unlocks his car, and opens the back door.
“Get in the fucking car, Noelle.”
I fold my arms in front of my chest. “No.”
“I’m losing my patience here.”
“Ask me nicely.”
His brow twitches.
“Your Highness, would you do the honor of listening to your humble servant and getting inside of this lowly carriage? I shall get down on my knees and beg for your cooperation.”
A loud laugh slips my lips, and I stumble into the car, not sure why the hell I’m listening to him in the first place. The moment we’re both inside, he locks the door and speeds off.
He’s talking to me, but everything is spinning around me. My eyelids are heavy, and, for some reason, I feel safe enough to close my eyes.
So I do, and I allow the slumber to swallow me whole.