Chapter 16 Chapter 16
Violet
My eyes adjusted to the dim red lighting, and then I saw it.
The room was drenched in shadows and scarlet light.
A massive stage dominated the center, bordered by sleek poles and flashing strobes.
And on that stage were tall, broad, gorgeous men all in fitted suits as they prowled under the lights.
Every table was filled exclusively with women shouting, laughing, throwing money, clinking glasses. The air was thick with perfume and chaos.
I blinked hard. “Cassie… where the hell did you bring me?”
Her smile widened. “To paradise, obviously. Come on.”
Before I could dig in my heels, she tugged me toward an empty table near the front, right by the stage. My brain was still trying to process the fact that the women were openly tossing money at men who winked, twirled, and flexed in return.
A waitress appeared and Cassie ordered us two drinks with a tap of her card. “Warm up, sweetheart,” she shouted over the noise. “You’re going to need it.”
I grabbed the glass and threw back the entire shot in one go. It burned like fire, searing my throat, but I needed it.
We were the last to arrive because all the tables were now occupied.
Not even a minute later, the music changed and the tempo slowed.
A sultry rhythm pulsed through the speakers, vibrating in my ribs. The men stood in a V formation, the tallest one taking center stage.
And that’s when I realized what this was.
“Oh my God,” I breathed. “This is a strip club.”
Cassie laughed. “You catch on fast.”
I sank lower in my seat. This was… so not how I pictured celebrating saving my pack.
The performers began removing their jackets, tossing them into the crowd like trophies. Two women practically lunged for one sleeve before a bouncer appeared out of nowhere, separating them easily.
The tallest man loosened his tie, rolled his neck, and the women screamed like they were at a rock concert.
My fingers twitched around my empty glass. Maybe I needed another.
Cassie, meanwhile, was in her element. “Oh, this is so therapeutic for my jetlag,” she said, clinking her second drink with mine.
She handed me a wad of bills that the waitress brought back with the card while keeping a thick wad for herself.
“Make it rain!”
“Absolutely not,” I said, clutching the notes to my chest.
I had truly underestimated her wild side. I gulped nervously, wondering what to do next when I saw one of the dancers approaching our table.
His eyes were fixated on me as he leaned close.
His body was moving in rhythm with the music, every movement designed to make women scream.
Cassie howled beside me. I froze as he came closer, the heat of his skin bleeding into my space.
Too close. Way too close.
My instincts screamed, and I lifted my hand to stop him from getting any closer. Unfortunately, my palms landed directly on his bare chest.
Cassie squealed, “Ooooh, someone’s getting comfortable!”
I squeezed my eyes shut as I tried to think of a way to politely send him away but then a voice reached my ears.
“Open your eyes, Violet”
They did and my jaw dropped to the floor to see Elijah leaning onto me.
Every nerve in my body went still.
He stood barely an arm’s length away, his hair slicked back, the sharp cut of his jaw accentuated by the red lights.
His chest was bare beneath an open shirt, the muscles under my palm tense and alive.
The entire room blurred out. I could hear nothing but the frantic pounding of my heart.
His lips curved into a slow, dangerous smirk. His eyes, damn those dark, merciless eyes held me like a bird in a cage.
He didn’t pull away. If anything, he leaned in, closer, until I felt his breath ghost along my cheek.
For a split second, I forgot how to breathe.
The music thumped, each beat syncing with my racing pulse and his scent wrapped around me until it was all I could feel.
His face came closer to mine and his breath tickled my cheek as he whispered.
“I’m going to ruin you for every other man.”
The world tilted.
My heart skipped a beat, maybe three.
When I blinked, he was gone.
The man now in front of me was someone else entirely, grinning as he reached for my hand to kiss it.
Panic surged. I snatched it back like I’d touched fire and shoved the bills at him instead. “Here. Just take it.”
He winked, collected the cash, and sauntered off.
Cassie, meanwhile, was doubled over laughing. “You should’ve seen your face! I thought you were going to pass out.”
“I think I almost did,” I muttered, rubbing at my temples that made her howl like crazy.
I tried to keep my expression neutral, but my pulse hadn’t slowed.
Why the hell did my brain imagine him?
‘It was the drinks’ I told myself.
I needed air.
“Uh, I’m going to the bathroom,” I blurted, pushing my chair back so fast it screeched against the floor.
Cassie raised a brow. “You sure? The best part’s about to start—”
“Positive,” I nodded and ran towards the door that swung shut behind me.
I pressed my back to the wall, trying to steady my breathing. The cool air outside the room did little to help.
I swallowed hard and closed my eyes.
“Get a grip, Violet,” I whispered to myself. “You’re losing it.”
When I opened my eyes, I saw him standing in front of me again.
I squeezed my eyes shut, willing him to evaporate into smoke.
“Go away! Leave me alone!” I chanted in a low voice and opened my eyes, barely.
But I could still see a tall figure clad in black standing in front of me.
What did they add in the drink?
I wondered and tried to run away but a hand grabbed me by the wrist and another wrapped around my waist.
“You want money!” I blabbered and fished for the notes that weren’t on my person.
Elijah kept staring at me, eyes narrowed as he pulled me closer.
“Sorry, no money. My friend…Cassie has it.” I muttered, pointing vaguely in the direction of the door.
“Cass, where is she?” He asked, voice sounding like a pounding hammer instead of the husky tone he’d adopted inside.
“Uh” I tried to focus on his face but I was beginning to see two of him. Maybe four.
The room blurred and I couldn’t focus on anything, much less give him an answer.
He held my chin between his thumb and forefinger, shaking my head.
“Hey, where is Cassie?”
“You want to know where my friend is?” I asked and scratched my head.
“Yes, where is she?”
I lowered my voice dramatically and leaned closer to his face.
“In paradise”
I answered and laughter erupted from inside of me, wild and unruly.
But he didn’t laugh. Neither was he dancing. He simply stared at me as if I had grown another head.
How rude!