Chapter 9: Chapter Eight

Jackie’s heels clicked against the polished floor as she approached him, hips swaying in that way she knew always got her attention. But Hunter Groves wasn’t looking at her. His eyes were dark and hooded with lust. They were fixed on the crowd below. On only one girl.

Mirabella…

But Jackie didn’t notice. She strolled up, wearing a sheer red dress that left little to the imagination. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, letting her fingers trace the tattoos that lined his neck.

"You called for me, Devil?" she purred into his ear.

His jaw twitched. His eyes remained locked on Mira as she kept on laughing at something Aria, her friend said. The way her face always lit up when she laughed. Those perfect dentitions, sparkling as they are displayed. He could feel her innocence from here. She must have been forced into that reviealing dress by her friend because she kept trying to adjust the length. Her wandering eyes also gave her away easily.

What was she doing in a place like this?

Mine. He thought.

He gave Gabriel a nod signaling for him to leave them and without even sparing Jackie a glance, he growled, "On your knees. Now."

Jackie’s eyes gleamed. She didn’t care about the coldness in his tone or the fact that his gaze had never landed on her. She loved when he got like this; ruthless, desperate, dark.

She dropped on her knees eagerly, like a submissive taking orders from her master. Her knees were spread on the expensive floor. The little she wore rode up more and her red panties could be seen. She began working on his fly with trembling fingers, like a worshipper at a forbidden altar. He was already very hard—thick, hot, and pulsing with need.

He hissed when she licked the tip of his manhood with her tongue; he wasn't in the mood to play right now, so he pressed into her mouth and she took his cock in her mouth, wrapping her lips around him with fervor. He groaned and groaned and moaned, but his moans weren't for her. His head was still tilted slightly to the side, still watching Mira as she danced on the dance floor with her friends, swaying her hips to the rhythm of the music. Her dark hair swaying behind her and giving her a dreamy look.

His Mira.

She didn’t even know what she was doing to him. He desperately wanted to insert his hand in her hair. To open her legs wild, insert his dick inside her tight little pussy and just screw her the whole night. He imagined what it would feel like.

Jackie bobbed her head, trying to earn every groan she could from the Devil himself. But he barely noticed her. His eyes were following every sway of Mira’s hips, every bounce of her soft breasts in that tight little dress. Her skin shimmered under the club lights, and he could see the faint curve of her thighs every time she moved.

Jackie worked harder, using her tongue like a pro, her fingers wrapping around the base of his cock, but his lips parted only once. One word.

“Mira.”

He held her head steady and pounded into her mouth fast and deep. He didn't care that she was struggling to breathe. His needs come first.

He came hard, thick spurts hitting the back of Jackie’s throat as he kept watching the girl that had unknowingly returned to him. Jackie swallowed every drop with pride, thinking she had made him lose control.

She didn’t know. Not really.

Meanwhile, Mira threw her head back in laughter as Aria made a ridiculous face and Ryan pretended to twirl her like a ballerina. The music was booming now, loud and pulsing, almost vibrating in her chest.

Mario’s words still lingered in her head: "Stick with your friends, sweetheart. This club isn’t all lights and drinks. Don’t go wandering."

She nodded back then and promised she would. But now, she lets herself enjoy the moment. For once. She wasn't exactly drunk, but the drinks were starting to warm her blood.

Aria, however, was fully gone. She danced wildly, her dress slipping dangerously low, her hair a mess of curls around her flushed face.

"Aria, slow down," Mira shouted over the music.

"Noooo!" Aria yelled, grabbing Mira's hands. "Dance with me!"

Mira gave in and joined her, laughing. Ryan moved with them, casual, friendly, protective in the way only a good friend could be. Mira appreciated him for that. She knew he was watching Aria closely, ready to step in if things got out of hand.

She danced, she drank, she laughed—but she didn’t lose control. She has to keep an eye on her friend.

Upstairs, Hunter adjusted his trousers and leaned back in a leather chair, sipping his drink. Jackie was still on her knees beside him now, smug and overly satisfied, wiping her mouth with a napkin like she just got rewarded for good behavior.

“Can’t get enough of me, huh?” she teased, running her nails down his arm.

Hunter didn’t answer. His eyes were still on Mira. Her hair bounced as she moved, and her legs... damn, those legs. She had grown into every perfect inch of herself.

He never missed a thing over the years. Every friend she had made. Every place she lived. He let her grow—into this. This sinful temptation. And now, she had come into his den on her own. Without invitation.

She had walked right into the cage.

Jackie leaned in closer. “You moaned a name which is not mine.”

“I always do,” he muttered under his breath.

Jackie blinked. “What?”

He looked down at her, eyes sharp as razors, but he only went back to his drink without any reply.

He tilted his drink and finished it in one long gulp. The burn didn’t distract him. Not from her. Not from the way his cock was already hard again just watching her. She didn’t even know she was his.

My little girl.

He didn’t plan to protect her from himself.

No, he planned to own her. Break her. Cage her in silk and ruin her every single night until all she sees in her world is him.

Hunter Groves never shared what was his.

And she had always been his.

Tonight, Jackie served her purpose. She was nothing more than a wet mouth and open legs. Just a distraction to keep him from going down there, dragging Mira out of that crowd and fucking her on the fucking cold counter where Mario served drinks.

He would have her.

He was just waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

Jackie curled her arm through his, smiling like a cat that caught the cream. She had no idea she was already forgotten. Already irrelevant.

Back on the dance floor, Mira finally helped Ryan drag a stumbling Aria toward the bar. She was laughing and half-conscious, slurring her words as she demanded another round.

"No more for you," Ryan said gently, guiding her into a chair.

Mira shook her head, breathless. “Thanks, Ryan. Really.”

He smiled. “You’re welcome. I’ll drive you girls home.”

She nodded. “Let’s call it a night then.”

As Ryan stepped away to call his driver, Mira glanced around the club once more. Something in her gut tightened. A slow crawl of unease… or was it something else?

She couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched. Maybe she was mistaken

After he dismissed Jackie, Hunter stood again, a fresh glass clenched in his hand. The lights shimmered across the crowd like a slow wave of color and sin.

Gabriel returned beside him. “That girl’s got your attention.”

“She’s mine.”

Gabriel raised a brow. “You sure? Who is she? Or just laying random tags.”

Hunter’s voice was a growl. “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life. That's fucking Antonio's daughter, mirabella.”

His jaw was clenched so tight it ached. His cock still throbbed from earlier, and the taste of Mira's name on his tongue was sweeter than any whiskey Gabriel could serve.

She was back. And she was never

leaving again.

Gabriel gave a knowing nod. “Your little payment huh. Does she even give a fuck about you?”

“She would.”