After a month, I sent the production on the docks and took a quiet perverse satisfaction after sending a quiet message to Grayson to fuck himself.

Usually, I didn't regret any action of my life, but I'd never forgive myself that I didn't kill that bastard the night when I had the chance.

This was what happens when you go soft. When you don't want to believe that the one you considered your brother betrays you in the most unceremonious way. The one you fought side by side with, the one you were ready to die for. 

It was a single moment of weakness that has unfortunately haunted me ever since.

But sooner or later, his time would come.

As the ships moved away, I also moved away from the docks. I revved the engine a few times and drove off on dirty gas.

As soon as I returned to my house, I noticed Dahlia's car on the central allay. My hands gripped the steering wheel tightly as I passed her Mercedes and precisely parked my car on its spot in the garage.

I couldn't tell if she was doing it on purpose. Was driving a few more meters down and parking in the parking lot that hard?

"Dahlia!" I shouted the moment I entered the living room. "Get your fucking car out of my alley, or you'll find it in pieces next time!" Since she was not there, I shouted once more, "Dahlia!"

A few seconds later, Dahlia showed up from the second floor. "Calm down, jackass! They heard you even on the other end of the world."

Her way of addressing me did not affect me at all. Since we were kids, she and my sister used to call me with nice names every time I'd yell at them. Sometimes, I even received a blow or two in the chest, but their tiny fists only managed to cause me a tickle.

Once, the two united and attacked me like lionesses from both sides. Of course, it didn't take much effort for me to lift each one in the air and throw them into the pool. But the damn girls managed to drag me down with them. I chuckled a little; those were good times.

"The car, Dahlia!" I went back to the current situation. "I'll use Cade's hammer to smash it next time."

Dahlia took a few steps down. "I liked the newest Bentley, so go ahead. This pleasure of yours won't cost you more than three hundred and fifty K bucks."

"I'll buy it for you, and then I'll smash it too."

"You are such a twisted person, Ax. You know that?"

"Thanks. Now give me the key to move the fucking car."

"Screw the car. I want you to see something." Dahlia stood beside me and placed her arm over my shoulder. "Ella!"

"Damn it, Dahlia! Don't scream like that!"

"Ha! Way to feel how I do when you shout."

"I doubt my voice is that annoyingly shrill."

"Nope. You are naturally gifted to sound like a monster, even when you talk. But look up now."

My gaze moved to the direction Dahlia pointed with her head. Ella stood there on the highest step of the stairs.

There was no mention of her simple vision anymore. A short black dress was clingy over her body. A deep V-neckline accentuated her small and firm breasts. No bra underneath; her nipples were delicately outlined below. Her feet stepped on high, thin heels, and fuck, for a moment, I imagined them pointing up.

There was makeup on her face, I noticed when she approached me. Not too much, just enough to highlight her natural features. Her eyes were different, a green color now, but her gaze still radiated thrills. Much shorter than it had been before, her hair contrasted in black.

"So, what do you think?" Dahlia asked.

I skipped her question and addressed Ella instead. "Why do you look like that?"

"I—" Ella tried to speak, but Dahlia interrupted by hitting my arm with the back of her hand.

"He meant you look beautiful, Ella."

Fuck, I meant she looked very damn hot, and for fuck sake, she was now even more beautiful than she had been before. "I meant what I meant. Now explain why is that for."

"I invited Ella to join us tonight. That's what this is for." Dahlia answered. "And I don't think someone could recognize her, plus she'll be safe with us."

"Do I look like a fucking bodyguard?"

Dahlia stood before me and squeezed my biceps. "Yeah. I think you fit into that."

Ella took a few steps back. "I am sorry. I shouldn't agree. This is a mistake. I shouldn't come."

"Yes, you should, and you will." Dahlia turned to Ella. "Axton meant that if someone dared to reach out to you, he'd beat them up." She then looked back at me. "Right, Ax?"

Fuck you, Cade, that you proposed your thing to come here and mess with my stuff!

"Someday, I swear, sunshine, you and your beloved one will disappear from my life!"

"Then there will be nothing to live for, so be careful what you wish for, Ax." Dahlia kissed me on the cheek. "Nine o'clock in the club. Bye-bye now! I am going to move my fucking car."

Dahlia walked out, and I wondered whether to laugh or shout after her.

"I still think it would be better if I don't come," Ella said, shifting her legs. She didn't look comfortable at all.

"If Dahlia wants you to come, you can come if you want. She did a good job and is right that it's hard for you to be recognized."

That sounded strange coming from my mouth. But as strange as it was, it was stupid as well. Ella shouldn't go out. Along with the fact that Grayson was looking for her, she was a trouble for me since day one.

"Actually, I really want to go out. Thank you for allowing me to do that. I am just gonna change that dress." She looked down.

"Don't. You look good. You don't have to be ashamed of that."

"I..."

"The car will be waiting for us in an hour."

I went to my room and took a cold shower. I didn't like how much I liked how she looked.

***

Twenty minutes before nine, there was a knock on my door. I opened it while putting on my shirt at the same time.

"I am sorry to bother you, Axton." Ella stood outside, talking uncertainly as always she did. "I didn't know where to wait for you, and I am afraid to walk in the yard alone."

"Amara can't come either in the garage or out front of the house."

She looked down again. Fucking Ella Zanova! Did I already say that? Why's this fucking urge to make her feel safe.

I took her chin and moved her head up. "Anyway. I am ready. Let's go."

We got into the car, and before long, we were at the club. Dahlia and Cade were already there.

We exchanged the usual greetings, and Cade reached out to Ella to take her hand and kissed it after that. "Good evening... Bella? I think it suits being called that outside. Don't you think, baby?" He turned to Dahlia next.

"Yes," Dahlia replied. "But honey, please don't bother the girl either; Axton is enough, for that matter."

"It's okay," Ella said. "It is nice to see you."

"What do you want to drink?" I asked Ella while the waitress served my scotch.

"A water, thank you," she replied.

"Sarah, one water for... Bella." I ordered to the waitress.

Cheers followed, and the night started well. More people came, we had good chats. The girls seemingly clicked, but I was not pretty sure if that was a good thing.

After two cocktails, Dahlia's power rose, and she no longer could stay sitting in one place. She took Ella by hand, and both went to the dance floor. Not long after, the microphone was in her hands, and she turned the night into a concert of hers.

She was born for the stage and always stood well on the podium of my clubs.

But what stood even better right now was Ella in front, moving slowly to the music beat. She was not as confident as the many girls around, even a bit clumsy compared to them or to Kira, who was also there mastering every dance. But Kira was out of my sight, and all of the others around.

The scotch tasted perfect in my mouth, as well as the smoke scent from my cigar, while my gaze enjoyed every single move of that little black dress on the background of the flashing lights.

My pulse quickened as the music slowed down, and my lust was no longer under control.

I walked through the crowd and stood closely behind Ella. While I pulled from the cigar, I placed my other hand over her belly. She turned her head back, probably ready to scream, but once she saw me, she managed to keep her calm. Her gaze returned to the podium direction, and to a quite unexpected surprise, her body responded to my vibe.

Her moves grew sexier, pretty seductive as I was pleasured by the light touch of her ass over my hardness underneath my jeans. I slid my hand down her thigh, letting my fingers press hard into her skin as they moved up again and grabbed the hem of her dress. She kept her dance under the same rhythm, moving her own hands slowly over her body until she reached her hair and weaved her fingers through it.

I traced the same path, reaching her neck. I squeezed it slightly, causing her head to rest on my chest.

"Keep doing that, love," I whispered in her ear. "I like to see you hot."

As I pulled from the cigar again, enjoying the pleasure, I felt the phone in my pocket vibrating. I took it out to check the message.

Run! was only written in it, sent by Sebastian Moore.

I sharply turned back. "Cade!" I shouted with full force. Dahlia stopped singing, and the music instantly paused. "Get the girls out here! Everyone out through the side exits!"

I gestured with my hands pointing in the direction while Cade ran toward us. Dahlia jumped down, and Cade took both her and Ella by the hands and rushed to the VIP exit with them.

Panic aroused, people bumped into each other.

"Hurry up!" I screamed as I was already surrounded by numerous security guards.

"We've got you covered, Boss. We'll get you out of here."

"Get the people out fir—"

In an instant, dozens of shots from machine guns broke through the club's panoramic windows. Glass flew in all directions. People lay on the ground; others fell wounded or probably dead.

I started to the exit, moving behind the live shield. Bullets kept flying all around.

Suddenly, the security fell down, and a searing pain shot through my stomach before my eyes shut closed.