We arrived at the Viper Lounge right on time. As Layla pulled into the parking lot, I spotted Emmett's truck and Mal's rust-bucket of a car beside it. Emmett and Kaz waited for us outside the truck, smoking cigarettes.

"Well, don't y'all look lovely tonight," Emmett remarked, blowing a puff of smoke to the air.

My brother dressed his best in one of his fancy-shmancy suits and derby hat. Kaz, on the other hand, chose something more laid back. A plaid pullover and ripped in the knees jeans. Amid the dim glow of the parking lot lamps, I almost overlooked Kaz's new rainbow converse.

"And you look just as ugly as always," I teased him, clutching Sydney's wrapped presents to my chest.

Emmett rolled his eyes as he reached in the backseat for the presents they'd brought. He handed two of them to Kaz and carried the rest of them up there himself. We got our ID's out before reaching the door so we could enter the place.

After they guard stamped the backs of ours hands with a smiley face, we entered the LGBTQ nightclub. Strobe lights blinded me as I kept close on Emmett's tail. Music blared from the speakers, pulsing in sync to my heartbeat.

It was quite crowded that night. People mingled up at the bar while others chose to show their moves out on the dance floor. Why did they choose a gay bar, of all places, to celebrate her birthday? Maybe that was what she wanted. Sydney loved to party and be carefree. I'd attended several parties with her before, even at the Viper Lounge. She could drink booze almost as much as Kaz could.

Sydney's reserved table for the night was smack dab in the middle of the bar. Mal and Charlie were already there, downing their beers. Sydney had yet to show up it seemed. Presents scattered across the table and we added ours to the colorful pile.

"Sydney not here yet?" Emmett asked as he scooted out a chair, plopping down beside Charlie.

"Nope. She better hurry too cause that cake's calling my name," Charlie said.

Mal gently scooted the cake closer to Charlie, mocking in a cartoony voice, "Eat me, Charlie. Eat me."

Kazimir replied, "I swear, if you ruin my nice cake before Sydney gets here –"

"What are you gonna do, chimp?" Charlie taunted.

Kazimir took one of his plastic forks and directed it at Charlie. "You don't wanna find out, I can promise you that."

Nobody could stifle their laughter at Kaz's worthless threat. Poor guy, he must've worked a lot on making that cake. It looked so delicious too. If Sydney didn't show up soon, I might even sneak a small slice out for myself.

"Yeah, and I did the icing," Emmett said, as if he were proud of that. "So none of you can fuck up our masterpiece dessert."

"Exactly." Kaz carefully pulled the cake closer to us, away from both Charlie and Mal.

Soon enough, the birthday girl arrived and the fun began. I left all my worries and fears at home that night, but maybe that had been a huge mistake.

Sydney loved the gifts I bought her, as she came over to hug me tightly. It embarrassed the hell out of her when we all sung happy birthday to her before serving out slices of cake. Despite that, she smiled so happily the entire night. Meanwhile, I had to force my smile not to fade. I was supposed to be enjoying my best friend's birthday, but my mind weighed heavily with all the crap going on in my life.

Not only did I worry about my stalker, but I was concerned about my relationship with Adam. Layla's comforting words earlier didn't keep my hopes up either. Mostly because I understood Adam's point and why he wanted me to stop dealing drugs for my brother.

Could I really abandon Emmett after all these years? I met my brother's gaze as he shoveled a forkful of cake in his mouth. I grinned back at him, taking a bite of my own delicious cake. Kaz sure knew how to bake. It was sad how he let his talents go to waste on dealing. Much like how I did too.

Maybe Emmett would be understanding if I chose to leave the gang. It didn't mean I'd lose him as a brother too. I'm sure Kaz wouldn't abandon me either. Neither Layla or Sydney were official members of the Voiceless Rebels and they got to hang out with them all the time. Couldn't I be like them? Emmett would make an exception for me, wouldn't he?

Leaving a gang was a betrayal to them. It never ended well for members and sometimes resulted in their death. Emmett faced the consequences of that back in Chicago, when he left their gang and relocated. They wanted to kill him for stabbing them in the back.

Emmett would never allow his people to harm me, but I worried about them hating me and considering me a traitor. Emmett probably would be upset with me too, especially when he learned I wanted to leave them to start a family with Adam.

"Thanks everyone. This has been one of the best birthdays ever," Sydney said, taking a big gulp of her drink.

"You're welcome," I told her.

"Y'all can order whatever you want tonight," Emmett told us. "Especially the birthday girl. It's all on me tonight."

"Let's get some hot wings then," Charlie said.

"Oh, and mozzarella sticks," Sydney chimed in.

We ordered some appetizers and food to our table. It was out with thirty or so minutes, giving us all time to chit-chat. I munched on some cheddar jalapeno poppers while Emmett dragged Kazimir out onto the dance floor with Rylee and Alfie.

The music gave me a headache, but I didn't complain. I checked my phone for any new messages from Adam as I nursed my alcoholic drink. Nothing.

"You good?" Layla nudged my elbow, peeking over at my phone.

"Yeah." I shoved my phone in my pocket. "Just checking on Adam."

Layla rolled her eyes. "Ugh, come on, girl. Don't let him ruin your night."

"Did something happen between you and Adam?" Sydney asked, readjusting her birthday crown.

"Nah, it's nothing. I don't want to ruin your night with my relationship issues," I replied.

"You won't ruin my night, Everly. What happened?"

Stealing a glance out toward the dance floor, I leaned closer to her. "We fought over me dealing for Emmett. Adam wants me to stop, especially since we've been talking about having kids in the future..."

"I told her that she can't let Adam control her," Layla said. "If he doesn't like you helping your brother out, then he can find someone else."

"Well, what do you wanna do?" Sydney asked.

I sighed. "I don't know. I can't choose between Adam and Emmett. I care about them both so much."

"Hmm. I'm sure Adam wouldn't try to keep you away from your brother," Sydney said. "It sounds like he just wants you to be safe. Dealing puts you at risk of being around a lot of dangerous people, even with the rebels protection. You never know what kind of creeps you'll run into. Like Dylan."

"I can understand that. I just hate how he brought it up," I explained. "Maybe I'm overreacting?"

"No, I don't think so. You're just trying to figure shit out," Sydney said. "And that's okay. If you want to keep dealing, then do it. Just know that Adam might not wanna stay with you. Which is understandable with his line of work."

"He's always overlooked it though," I pointed out. "Why does he have to pull this crap now? Like, it's the worst time. We shouldn't be fighting with each other."

"It sounds like Adam's just worried," Sydney said. "Especially after he almost lost you. But this is your decision to make. We can't tell you what to do with your love life."

Emmett and Kaz returned to the table, intervening on our conversation. My brother swiped a mozzarella stick from the little basket in the middle of the table.

"You finally dumping that pighead cop? Hallelujah," Emmett mumbled through a mouthful.

"That's not what I said. Don't be eavesdropping," I told him.

"If ya don't want me listening in, don't be talking so loudly." Emmett shrugged as he slipped some little baggies of white powder out of his breast pocket. "Thought y'all might wanna have a little extra fun."

Kaz took one of the plastic bags and dumped the product out on the table. Using a curled up dollar bill, he snorted the stuff up his nose. Emmett and Layla did the same thing while I just sat there, watching them in awe.

"You wanna hit?" Layla offered. "It might help ya chill out tonight."

"Oh, no. I shouldn't."

"Come on, Everly. Just a little bit won't hurt," Emmett said. "It'll help take your mind off things. It acts as a pain reliever too."

"Don't pressure her into taking coke." Kaz wiped his nose, glaring at Emmett and Layla. "Just stick to beer. I'll drink with ya."

"Yeah, you don't have to try it," Sydney said, worry creasing her pretty freckled face. "I've never took hard drugs and don't plan to either. You don't need that shit to have fun."

"Don't be such a goody two shoes." Layla playfully swatted my arm.

I forced a small chuckle. "What are we? Teenagers?"

"You're worried about what Adam would think," Emmett said, his expression softening. "But aren't you mad at him anyway? He wants you to stop dealing cause he's afraid you'll end up as an addict like us, which is ridiculous. A little coke won't hurt ya. It's just gonna be recreational use."

"I'm with Emmett on this one," Layla said. "But it's up to you."

I sighed. "Fine. Give me some."

Emmett grinned as he handed the plastic bag and rolled up dollar to me. After dumping the white powder out on the table, I hesitated. A voice in the back of my head told me that was a horrible idea, but with them staring at me so eagerly, I couldn't chicken out. I positioned the rolled up dollar in my nostril and inhaled the toxic drug.

It burned my nose so badly, but I snorted every bit up. Wiping my nose with sleeve of my sweater, I reclined back and waited for the high to hit me.

💀

Everything felt amazing. The music no longer gave me a throbbing headache. Instead, I wanted to dance to the beat. I wanted to be free among the crowd, doing ridiculous dance moves that I swore were comparable to a professional.

Something euphoric overcame me as I pulled Mal closer to me. It was fun to let loose and live again. Dancing with the guys brought me so much joy. Why had I never done it before? Laughing and grinning the night away, I forgot all about my troubles. They hid deep in the recessives of my mind, just waiting to pounce back into my brain and strangle me with anxiety. But I wasn't concerned yet. Dancing brought me too much excitement to care.

Mal returned to our table with the others for more food, leaving me alone with Layla, Kaz, and Charlie. Somehow, Layla and I got split up from the guys. We found ourselves pressed up against strangers, but my normal worries abandoned me. Being high left me too vulnerable to predators, but in my drug induced high, stay alert wasn't something I bothered to do. I was having too much fun.

Suddenly, Layla's red dress faded away. Unfamiliar faces got blurry as a pair of large hands wrapped around my waist. Being an idiot, I just giggled at him. I didn't fight back when he eased me away from the dance floor. Only when the chilling wind caressed my skin did realization start to dawn on me.

"Wait, I need my jacket," I murmured, turning back toward the entrance.

Another guy came up behind me, blocking my way back inside. They cornered me in the alley between the bar and an abandoned building. Having my nifty switchblade concealed in my bra, I carefully moved a hand to snatch it out.

"Aren't you a pretty thing?" The dark-haired guy smirked, running his fingers through my hair. His ogling eyes remained on my face, unable to see what I reached for.

"I need to get back inside," I said. "My friends are–"

"I thought we were friends," he sneered. "Can't we have a little fun?"

Before I had the chance to flee or call for help, his buddy grabbed me from behind and clamped his hand over my mouth. My shaky hand gripped my switchblade tightly as I raised it up and slashed the fucker's arm.

"You fucking bitch," he spat.

Blood trickled from the gash as I reeled back. I'd gotten myself into some deep shit. Escaping would be difficult, but I wouldn't give those disgusting fucks the satisfaction of raping me in that filthy alleyway. I wasn't some dainty little girl they could overpower. I'd been taught by ruthless criminals how to fight and defend myself. Even while high.

"My boyfriend's a cop and my brother's a gang member." My heart pounded in my ears as I tried to strategize a way out of there. "They will fuck you both up. Not unless I kill you first."

The guys laughed at that. I just hadn't anticipated the bigger guy to charge at me, wrestling for the weapon in my hand. I bit down on his wrist until I tasted blood, refusing to let go of my only weapon. Unable to push his body away, he pinned me against the wall and ripped the sleeve of my dress, pushing it past my bra.

"Oh yeah? Then where are they, cutie? I don't see anyone, do you?" He smirked back at his ugly buddy, who snickered and agreed.

Cold air nipped my bare skin. I really screwed up. I wanted Emmett and Adam there right at the moment to beat the shit out of those disgusting men. Thinking about Adam so suddenly reminded me of our dispute and what he'd think of me now. He'd think I was a whore for being so ignorant and getting high. He'd never want to touch me again. He'd dump me for turning to drugs.

"You'll be thanking us after this, beautiful." The dark-haired guy pressed his lips against my ear, grabbing my left breast. "Be better than that small-dick cop boyfriend of yours, I bet."

I screamed into the night, desperate for anyone lurking around to come save me. Just as I spit in the bastard's face, a familiar figure emerged in the alleyway. The moonlight shined down on his face full of tattoos. Thug Life stuck out among all the others.

"Get the fuck away from her," Charlie snarled. Kaz came up behind him, gasping for air as he faced the jackasses who held me against the wall.

"Yeah? Or what will y'all do?" The dark-haired man sneered.

As he snickered, Charlie came up and smashed his head against the brick wall. Blood dripped from the guy's face as he pleaded for mercy. His buddy let me go and backed away, shaking just as much as I had been. A noticeably dark stain formed in the front of his trousers.

I took that opportunity to retrieve my knife and slice him across the face. Charlie stood behind me as I did so, but the pathetic man took off back toward the alley opening, abandoning his beaten buddy.

"You better run, you little bitch!" I yelled.

Kaz pulled me aside, eyes filled with horror as his nails dug a bit too deep into my arm. "Are you okay? I saw those guys lead you outside and I knew you were in trouble. I didn't have time to find Emmett, so I grabbed Charlie. I dunno where Layla went either."

"I'm fine," I assured him. "Thanks for the help."

"Are you sure? Those guys... They didn't... You know? Touch you?" Kaz asked softly.

"No, I'm fine. Really. Thanks to y'all."

Charlie stood over the nasty man who'd led me away from the dance floor. Whimpering little shitbag cried and buried his bruised face in his hands. They messed with the wrong woman. While I'd come dangerously close to being assaulted by them and might've been had Charlie not intervened, I never would've gone down without a fight.

Without hesitating, I raised my foot and stomped on the fucker's hand. He yelped at the impact before I raised my leg and kicked him in the gut. Hearing his whimpers and pleas were like music to my ears. I couldn't understand why as I kept kicking the rodent. Not until Kaz gently pulled me away, worrying that I'd end up killing him if I didn't stop.

"Come on, don't stop her. Let her beat the shit outta him." Charlie encouraged me. "Teach these nasty fuckers not to mess with ya!"

"Next time, I'll kill you." I looked down at the shriveled up little shit with disgust. "Charlie, grab his wallet. He owes me a new dress and shoes. Got his damn blood all over mine."

Charlie wasted not time stealing the man's wallet, plucking out a couple twenties for us. He tossed it back down to the asshole before we made our way back up to the alley. I didn't want to consider what I'd tell Adam when I got home. Thoughts of lying and finding a change of clothing crossed my mind. But did I really want to be that kind of girlfriend?