Zak sat in his car, his cap pulled down slightly to obscure his face as he stared at the building in front of him. Night had fallen over Vegas and whilst most respectable people had gone to bed, Zak had just left his home and drove over 30 minutes across town to come to a place he swore he'd never come to again...

All day he had wrestled with the idea, feeling the pressure mount upon him as he dealt with the museum, the show, his website, a social media hack, a radio interview and a possible magazine shoot regarding his cars. But his patiences and resistance finally snapped when his mom drove home about him becoming lonely and miserable if he didn't 'find a nice girl to settle down with.'

He tried to resist the pull, the urge to come here, to scratch that itch he just couldn't reach, a place where he could enter and know that nothing would ever get said, the building rating itself on confidentiality. He longed to fade in with the crowd, to be free from any obligations. Coming here tonight would give him that, but in doing so, he would slowly start up the habit again. Like a sober man taking his first drink all over again. Feeling that buzz, that first kick after such a long absence.

He shouldn't be here.

He knew he shouldn't, which is why he was sat in the car trying to convince himself that just being here was enough. That sitting outside the place would be enough. But it wasn't, he needed in.

Looking away, he caught himself in the rear view mirror, his reflection looking back at him, his mind taunting him to get out the car.

"Shut the fuck up." He bit hitting the mirror off its position. Looking around the outside of his car, he pondered.

Once would be enough... Wouldn't it?

No. Stay in the car.

He wrestled with his conscious, fighting it as his hand grasped the door handle, the small angel on his shoulder praying for him to see the temptation to walk away. The devil on the other shoulder, lighting up his mind with everything he knew behind the door.

Closing his eyes, he steadied his racing heart and opened them slowly. He knew this was just a temporary fix, that once he fixed his head that the problems would still be there. He was still having to face it.

He should go home.

But he didn't.

Opening the car door, he got out and locked it up before making pace to the front door, giving a few pounds of his fist, he waited. The door opened after a few seconds by a large burly man, who eyed him with skepticism, no doubt wondering why a decently dressed man with over $3000 sat on his wrist was wanting to get in.

Pulling out a $100 bill, Zak stuffed it into the man's palm and slipped inside the dark corridor. His racing thoughts which flashed in his head with vivid colours and noise slowed a fraction.

He knew what he needed, now he just had to obtain it.

•••

Dark eyes opened slowly, taking in the make up that had been placed upon her face. Her eyelids were smoky, every lash coated with mascara making them curvy and wide, whilst her brown orbs absorbed every little detail. Her face had been dusted with light foundation and powder, her lips had been highlighted with red lip stick. Her dark hair was up into a pony tail, the length dancing down her back.

Looking down her body, she took in the gold studded bra that pushed her chest up, accentuating her bust, her stomach was flat and the leather pants she wore hugged her legs. Despite her toned stomach, she had her curves, something every man complimented her on. They appreciated her hourglass shape, they appreciated holding her against their bodies. Whispering things into her ear that would make any man or woman blush.

She knew they were all intoxicated, that's what they came here for. She was simply there to calm the fights that often rose when two customers couldn't handle themselves.

The door behind her opened abruptly making her turn instantly. "Dammit Angel, I could have been changing." She complained looking at the large man dressed in black.

"Sorry Leah, but you better come with me."

She sighed and tossed the makeup brush she had between her fingers back onto the side. Sliding out the seat, she made her way out the dressing room and followed Angel down the corridor.

"I'm clocking out Angel, I'm—"

"I know but you need to see this." He insisted turning off right then taking the first left.

Stopping outside one of the rooms, she looked at him questioningly. "What?"

Angel flicked the switches on the side of the door before opening it up and ushering her inside.

Leah was about to give Angel an ear bashing and drive home the point that she was leaving, when her eyes landed on the man slumped in his seat.

Her lips parted gently as a small gasp happened.

"I figured he would need you." Angel whispered.

Leah looked back at the bouncer and nodded "Thank you."

"Any problems..."

"I know. Thanks again." She smiled letting Angel slip out the room. Reaching back, she locked the door and kept her eyes focused on the two way mirror as she walked to the second door and entered the room.

The man didn't move, his head was hung low as he looked at the whisky in the glass, a drink he had always ordered but never drank.

He was back, which meant things weren't good. Swallowing the nerves down, she came across the room and took the glass from his hand. Knocking back the liquid, she placed the back of her hand across her mouth and coughed gently at its strength. Then she placed the glass on the table beside him.

Leah always wondered if he bought the drink for her or if in fact he intended to drink it. Either way, whenever she met him, he would be nursing the glass, staring at it with such loathing.

"What's a man like you, doing in a place like this?" She asked, remembering the very first conversation they shared.

His lips curved "What's a nice girl like you doing in a place like this?"

She smiled and leant forward whispering "Who said I was a nice girl?"

His smile grew a little more. Slowly, he raised his head and a pair of grey eyes looked up at her, stealing the breath in her lungs like it had done for the very first time.

"Who's in tonight? Aaliyah or Leah?" He asked watching her reaction.

Leah wet her lips making his eyes fall to her mouth, she smirked at the power move as she tried to gain some control over this. He had been one of her first clients, she knew he was different and so when he asked for her real name, she told him, instantly.

"Well Aaliyah means Elevated, so are you looking to get high?"

He shook his head "I'm looking to be grounded."

She smiled at his correct answer.

"Hey Leah," He greeted her.

"Hey baby."