Chapter 9

Mira’s POV

The air hung thick with tension and unspoken words, the only sound coming from the faint clinking of cutlery. The silence didn’t last long before James’s eyes flickered toward me.

“So, Miss Martinez, how’s work been?” he asked, a small smile tugging at his lip.

I turned toward Alejandro, and heat surged through me instantly. That was foolish because he noticed my unease right away and smirked like he found it amusing.

“Every job has its hassles, but so far, it’s nothing I can’t handle.” I offered a polite smile and went back to my food.

“Hmm,” he murmured. “And you, Dro? Is she good at her job?”

Not exactly the question I expected, especially with me sitting right there. But I guess rich people sometimes think with their ass.

Alejandro cleared his throat. “If you forced me to have her under my roof, then you must think she’s good.”

My eyes shifted between father and son as the air thickened again with something heavier than tension.

Were they always this distant with each other?

“Fair enough, but that doesn’t answer the question,” James replied, picking up his glass of wine. He sipped slowly, his gaze lingering on me longer than I’d ever want.

Alejandro wasn’t one for smiles, but in this house, before his father, he seemed like a different man. Compared to the relaxed version I’d seen at his mansion, laughing occasionally around his friends, here he sat like a carved stone, speaking only when spoken to.

That’s how the night dragged on—James discussing business, Alejandro answering with precise details. Not a single “how are you?” slipped through the entire dinner. I just sat quietly, listening.

“Well, the real reason I invited you both here is this.” James pulled a folded paper from his suit and placed it on the table. “This is Willow’s Peak—a new town we’re targeting for rising talents. You two will oversee securing at least two from every batch of talents our company deals with.”

Alejandro unfolded the paper, scanning it. “Shouldn’t be hard.”

James chuckled. “It won’t be easy either. The people there despise the entertainment world. You’ll need every ounce of charm to win them over.”

I cleared my throat softly. “How long will we be there?”

Both men turned to me before James answered. “A month at most.”

Alejandro gave a short laugh. “She’s not coming with me.”

If only he knew how mutual that feeling was. Hours ago, he was all charm and temptation, and now he acted like I was a burden. I really needed to start thinking with my head instead of my body.

“Wherever you go, she goes,” James said, rising from his chair. “You’ve built a dusty reputation, and she’s here to polish it. She’ll convince them more than you ever could, so she’s going.”

Alejandro didn’t argue further. He just sat there, fuming. “When do we leave?”

“In a day or two. I’ll have the team finalize arrangements before your little hunt.”

“Great,” he muttered with a sigh.

James pulled out a cigar and lit it, the smoke curling between us. “That’s all for tonight. I’ve got work to handle.”

With that, he left the table, leaving me alone with his frustrated son.

“It amazes me how you claim to dislike me yet offer me a dress at the same time. Pick a side, Mr Montenegro” I said, rolling my eyes as I stood and walked out toward the car.

Minutes later, he joined me, and we drove off.

The ride was quiet, the steady hum of the engine filling the space. I couldn’t tell what was running through his head and I wanted to know so badly.

“Manuel, drop me off at Area 60,” he finally said.

“Copy, sir,” Manuel replied, steering away from the main road.

My brows furrowed slightly. “Where are we going?”

Alejandro turned to me with that blank look of his. “You just heard me say Area 60. And I’m going there, not we.”

I sighed. “Of course, I heard you. What’s that place?”

“An underground strip club,” he said casually.

I should have figured on my own that it always circled back to women and alcohol.

“Manuel will drop me off and take you home,” he added.

“If I’m supposed to clean up your act, I need to be around when you make the mess. So I’m coming.” I tried to sound firm, even though every part of me screamed to go home and sleep.

A faint, satisfied smirk crossed his lips, his eyes lingering on me too long, like I’d said something I’d soon regret.

“Suit yourself. Just don’t expect me to save you.”

Three hours. That’s how long we’d been trapped in this neon-lit porn house. From the moment we arrived, Alejandro vanished, and I gave up trying to track him down. Babysitting him was like chasing smoke because he was harder than a toddler.

I sat at the bar, sipping water, when a young man approached.

“A lady as lovely as you shouldn’t be here alone,” he said with an easy grin. His teeth gleamed, and faint smile lines made his eyes crinkle attractively.

“Take a look around, there are plenty of women here alone, and even better, most are naked,” I replied dryly, hoping he’d take the hint. Instead, he laughed and sat down.

“I said pretty,” he countered.

Touché, stranger.

“Well, I’m not alone,” I muttered.

“What kind of jerk leaves someone like you sitting here, surrounded by vultures? I’ve been watching you for a while, so I figured I’d keep you company until he returns.”

He was right about one thing though, Alejandro was a jerk.

I reached for another bottle of water and drank. “The seat’s free. Do as you please.”

He smiled wider. “Gladly.”

We ended up talking for nearly an hour, sharing drinks I hadn’t planned on touching. Still, it beat sitting alone for three hours watching women spin on poles. He bought a few drinks although I grabbed just two, my head was beginning to hurt.

“It’s been nice meeting you, but I should go find the man I came with,” I said, sliding off the stool.

“Sure. Just be careful, bad men roam this club,” he warned, and a chill ran through me.

Suddenly, the lights blurred. The pounding music faded into distant echoes. Sweat beaded across my face, my throat tightened, and my heartbeat raced wildly.

“W–what’s happening?” I whispered, my voice slurred.

Suddenly, my vision became so blurry and the thumping music began to fade. Beads of sweat ran down my face, my throat felt sore and my heartbeat increased rapidly.

“W—what’s happening?” I muttered slowly.

I couldn’t see clearly anymore but I could tell I was being lifted and slowly placed on what felt like a bed.

The man from earlier looked down at me, a creepy smile spreading on his lip. His finger moved fast, undoing the buttons of my shirt till the cold air kissed my breast.