It felt good to walk out. As good as something in my life could be. But there I was, walking into a nightclub, living a life, no matter what kind. I was desperate for the possibility to forget about Grayson and my past.

The heavy air that wafted through the venue corresponded with the flashing lights against the darkness, exposing, only from time to time, those who were settled comfortably in the booth area. Long-legged waitresses, wearing tiny pieces of fabric that I could hardly call skirts because the skirts in my mind should cover the ass, were giving away on their duty. As the judgment went through my head, I grabbed the edges of my dress, trying to pull it down as much as I could.

Our way stopped before one of the booths, and Axton and I settled down. While creepy feelings conquered me once I saw Cade, Dahlia's welcoming smile made me feel... great! I might not be in the best environment, but hell, it was the best I have had. So, I tried not to think about the basement or Cade's hammer overall, instead, I decided to adjust somehow and enjoy the night—a night when I was more myself while pretending to be someone else than in my life before when no one ever allowed me to express my feelings and thoughts.

Although I couldn't exactly tell Dahlia that I dreamt of living in a world where Grayson and such people, and even Axton and Cade, did not exist, I told her about my fantasy of being free and in peace. To meet someone who would love and care about me, someone who would caress me with tenderness and warmth.

She understood me, I could see it in her eyes. She has expressed exactly that with her music many, many times. That's why I loved her art—the lyrics of her songs often merged with my heart.

Along with her ability to listen and support, Dahlia had the gift to lighten up everyone's mood. She took me by the hand and led me to the dance floor—a place so foreign but exciting at the same time. My feet started moving by themselves, followed by my hips, my shoulders, and hands. When I was a little girl, I danced alone in the darkness, dreaming of being a princess in one of the fairy tales' ballrooms. But I didn't want to return to those times; maybe not a princess, but now I owned the dance floor. Well, for sure, it didn't seem like that from the side, but I felt it that way in my heart.

Everything got even better when Dahlia jumped on the podium, and her voice filled the space; flashing lights accompanied her beat and pace.

It felt so refreshing. I sang with her in full voice, not bothered about the people around.

But then, sudden shivers went through my body—there was someone behind. I turned my head to see Axton there, exhaling the smoke of his cigar. For a mere second, I allowed my eyes to travel over his chest, where the upper buttons of his white shirt stood undone—something I tried to avoid the whole night. Then the memory of him putting his shirt over his naked skin earlier in the house brought back that damn stupid desire that used to arise so very often, no matter how hard I wanted to deny it. Once again, my subconscious mind betrayed all reasonable thoughts. 

I tried not to react, or at least to hide the way I did, and returned my gaze back up front.

Axton moved closer. Very close. His hand slid over my belly. I could feel his strong torso pressed to my back. I wasn't sure why he would do that; it wasn't like I was the most attractive girl around, but that was something I secretly wanted to feel, even though I wouldn't say it out loud.

Some sweet trembles went through my skin, sweet but also burning when his hand moved down over my thigh.

Being touched by a man has always brought only pain and disgust, as my experience was only with Grayson so far. But there was something so different now—Axton affected in an electrifying way.

The scent of his cologne and the light touch of his breath mixed with notes of scotch and cigar aroused senses I knew nothing about.

I let myself to surrender in what was the closest to an embrace and moved my hands up my body till I reached my hair and buried my fingers through it. The moves of my body came unexpected but natural somehow. The music beat, slow and tense, matched the mood, leading me all the way.

I felt sexy. Seductive. I grew provocative. The sensual way my bottom rubbed against Axton's body and the lustful way I felt him react—that was sexy for sure. It was hot. And I felt a thirst for more.

That was so not me. But I was someone else that night. And didn't care about that. While the raging desire grew hotter through my veins and the devil's hands burned over my hips, then up my chest to my neck, I couldn't care because, deep within, it was wrong. So wrong, and I knew that. But my body screamed how voluptuous it was.

"Keep doing that, love," Axton whispered in my ear, fully intoxicating my being, sending down my spine more shivers than I could handle anymore. "I like to see you hot."

The body language foreshadowed a different finish to the night, but Axton's sudden movement back and subsequent shouts put an end to that.

I didn't get what happened at first. But panic aroused, and the next thing I knew was that Cade had caught Dahlia and me by the hands and hurried to get us out of the club. The following horror caused by the incessant gunshots sent people running for their lives. For a difference, our lives were secured by the cover of the security guards and the VIP exit we were privileged to use.

Everything happened extremely fast; I could catch my breath only when we got into Cade's car. The engine roared, and we sped off.

"Axton is still there!" I breathed out. I hated that this was the only thought that ran through my head; no questions about what happened or who caused the attack.

We reached the turn for the next block, but Dahlia only looked back and forth while Cade was focused on driving fast. Neither of them uttered a word.

"We have to go back for Axton!" I screamed, but there was no response. "Cade, stop the car!"

I had no idea what possessed me next, but I opened the door and jumped out of the car. I rolled several times on the asphalt until I was relieved I was still whole.

The sound of vehicle brakes made me swallow the pain, and I ran toward the club without giving a chance for Dahlia and Cade to come back for me.

I headed directly to the back entrance once I was assured there were no more gunshots. The screams had also died down; only muffled sounds could be heard in the distance outside.

"Axton!" I cried out after I entered the club.

It didn't take me any time to look for him, as I found him fallen on the ground only a few steps before the exit door.

"Axton!" I repeated as I crouched next to him.

I couldn't stop myself from taking a moment to look around before fully focusing on him. The setting looked terrifying—like after a war— it was smoky, suffocating. Poisonous it was.