Chapter 41 A Night of Distraction

Chapter 41 A Night of Distraction
ELENA

I followed Riley down the sidewalk as city life's distant hustling and bustling blended harmonically with the occasional rush of a passing car. My pulse still throbbed from the heated exchange with Prescott and the very well-expected rage from Alexander. I knew it was bound to happen if he found out about my disappearance, but at least here, away from his suffocating presence, I could breathe.

Riley led me toward an old converted bus parked behind a row of abandoned warehouses. String lights hung across the makeshift patio, flickering against the dark sky. Inside the place, muffled music pulsed. There was the sound of guitars strumming, laughter spilling out, and the distinct scent of cigarettes and cheap beer mixed with something richer—spices, maybe, or incense.

I arched a brow at Riley.

"This is where you've been staying?"

Riley only smirked.

"It ain't a five-star hotel, but it's got character." She knocked twice on the metal side of the bus before pulling the door open. "Come on. You'll love these guys."

As soon as we stepped inside, an entirely different wave of sound and energy hit us. The space was cluttered but cozy—guitars were propped against the walls, an old drum set sat in the corner, and mismatched rugs covered the floor. A group of men and women sat in a circle, singing to themselves. One was plucking at a bass guitar while another person adjusted a keyboard. A tattooed guy with shaggy blonde hair and a loose tank top was strumming an acoustic guitar, his voice raw and unpolished.

The others harmonized, nodding their heads to the rhythm.

The music stopped when Riley and I entered, and a tall guy with dark curls and piercing green eyes stood up, flashing a grin at us.

"Riley, you troublemaker!" he exclaimed, opening his arms. "And who's your friend?" His eyes were already searching as he looked me over.

Riley grinned.

"Elena, meet Juno. Juno, Elena."

Juno ran a hand through his messy curls, his gaze flickering between us. Looking at him with all that hair reminded me of what Riley said about him having hair all over the house and in the toilets.

"You're new around here, huh?" He asked with a confident smile. He looked the part of some rockstar celebrity, and right then, I felt like I was being introduced to one, even though I hadn't heard about his songs before.

"Something like that," I said, smiling politely.

Another guy who sat cross-legged on a bean bag lifted a bottle.

"Beer?" I looked around and saw they had almost two cartons of beer. And it seemed like they'd emptied one carton.

I instinctively shook my head.

"No, thanks." It's not like I didn't want to drink, though. Damned the pregnancy.

Riley also declined.

"We're keeping it clean tonight."

Juno arched a brow.

"Respect. But if you change your mind, help yourself."

I relaxed a little as the conversation picked up again. The group appeared easygoing as I watched them throw jokes. Of course, they were also passing around a joint, which Riley and I refused. The music session continued anyway.

"You into music, Elena?" Juno asked while adjusting his guitar.

"I like it," I admitted, "but I'm more of a listener than a player."

They nodded their heads while Juno grinned.

"Well, that still makes you cool in my book."

A girl with short red hair and a septum piercing leaned toward me.

"What's your vibe? Classic rock? Indie? Jazz?"

I hesitated, clearly caught off guard by how normal the conversation felt. There was no tension, no suffocating expectations, just people enjoying themselves and playing music. They looked a little too old to be indulging in their passions, but their free spirits were contagious.

"I guess I like… soft rock. Maybe a little blues."

Juno snapped his fingers.

"Good taste. We'll play something for you."

The group started another song; this time, it was slower, the tempo more melodic. The warmth of the moment wrapped around me and gave me a temporary escape from the chaos of my life.

From the chaos I'd been facing lately.

I let myself get lost in it for a while—I laughed heartily at their playful bickering, nodded my head along to the music, even shared a quiet moment with Riley, who nudged my shoulder.

"You needed this, didn't you?" Riley murmured.

I exhaled, a small smile tugging at the corners of my lips.

"Yeah. I really did."

But then—my phone buzzed. Again.

It had been lighting up for quite a while.

My chest tightened, and I held my breath.

Alexander.

I ignored it.

It rang again.

And again, but I continued to ignore it.

Riley saw the name flashing on the screen.

"Seriously?"

I muted the call and shoved the phone into my pocket.

"I don't want to deal with him right now."

Riley nodded approvingly.

"Damn right, you don't."

I knew that ignoring Alexander was like ignoring a brewing storm.

But I did it anyway.

ALEXANDER

Meanwhile,

I sat in my penthouse, my body rigid and jaw clenched so tightly that it ached.

Prescott stood before me. His usual composed expression had faltered because of his failure. Of course, he knew he'd messed up.

My grip tightened around the whiskey glass in my hand, and then I suddenly didn't feel like drinking anymore. My rage caused me to hurl the glass across the room. The sharp crack of glass shattering against the wall did little to satisfy the anger burning inside me.

I cursed under my breath, my eyes red with anger.

"You let her go?" My voice was deceptively calm, but Prescott knew better.

"She refused to go to the penthouse, sir," Prescott admitted. "She got out halfway and left with her friend. I tried to stop her but she kept insisting. I didn't want to—"

I was instantly on my feet.

And before Prescott could react, a brutal punch landed square on his jaw. The older man staggered back but didn't retaliate. He just stood there with his head bowed.

"You had one job," I seethed.

Prescott wiped the blood from the corner of his lip but remained silent.

"Find her," I ordered, my voice low and deadly. "I don't care if you have to search every damn street in this city. Bring her back, or I swear, you'll wish you were never born."

Prescott nodded stiffly.

"Understood."

Just as Prescott turned to leave, a sultry voice was heard from somewhere in the dark room.

"Rough night?"

I turned sharply to see Victoria leaning against the doorway. She was dressed in one of my white dress shirts, her bare legs on display. Her smug expression made my blood boil even more.

"Not now, Victoria," I warned with narrowed eyes.

But Victoria wouldn't give up. She sauntered toward me, placed a hand on my chest, and purred like a cat.

"Come on, Alexander. You're obviously stressed. Let me help you relax."

My irritation could not be contained as my patience snapped.

Without warning, I grabbed her by the waist and shoved her away, sending her sprawling onto the couch in a very embarrassing way.

Victoria gasped, more shocked than hurt by how I pushed her away.

I didn't glance at her before storming out of the room angrily.

Victoria sat up slowly, her nails digging deep into the cushions as her expression twisted with fury.

What the hell was wrong with him?

It was that nitwit.

He was still bothered about her!

She clenched her teeth tightly, and they practically ached as her eyes hardened.

This wasn't over.