Prologue
Sierra*
Flashing disco lights blinded me momentarily. Stepping into the club, I looked around before making for the bar. I sat on a stool and threw my head up, eyes closed, I allowed the loud music drum my body.
"And what do I get you hermosa?" I smiled my eyes still closed. I looked down at the Spanish looking bartender who watched me with a smirk.
I leant forward, purposely, and watched as his eyes drew to my almost naked chest. My smile melted into a smirk. I waited for him to meet my eyes. When he did, I asked.
"What do you recommend?" He pushed his weight onto his left hand which laid on the counter.
"Hmmm" He hummed as if in thought, his lips tucked into his mouth. He turned to me with a glint in his eyes.
"Margarita and...a taste of me."
"You tasty?" I asked, looking him up then down, pearly whites on bloody red lip as if in thought.
"You can't imagine." He enunciated, his voice going a tad lower.
I tsked. Tongue clicking and all. "Too bad. I like sour things." I whispered, drawing even more closer.
We engaged in a stare down, each daring the other to cave. After some time, he pulled away, clearing his throat. I gave a wide smile.
"Mojito, honey." I ordered and he nodded, going to prepare the drink.
Before I could breathe, fingers closed around my waist, a pair of lips to my ears, whispering.
"You're late."
I smiled and turned, looking up at him. "I'm never early. We got them?" I asked.
"They're here. We just need their attention." He said and pulled me up, leading me to the dance floor.
He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me onto his body. I followed his lead, swaying and swinging my hips to the beat of the song. He turned me in his arms with my back to his front. He ran his fingers over my body sensually and said loud enough for only my ears.
"Look straight. He's the one in the charcoal grey suit." I looked ahead as we danced closer to where a group of men in suit sat discussing something that looked very important.
"He's hot. Why is this one younger-"
"Focus Sierra. This isn't a game."
"It's fun though." I smiled, watching the young man.
"This one is different. Things may not go as planned. You'll need a backup." He pulled my dress up and pushed a stick like thingy into my garters. He spun me around and cupped my face.
"Be careful." I rolled my eyes.
"Come on now Dev, when am I not?" He shook his head with a hint of a smile and started to pull away.
"Just make everything else ready. I'll be fine." He nodded and started to leave the dance floor. I continued dancing, drawing closer to the businessmen.
When I finally caught hottie's eyes, I smirked and continued dancing like he wasn't there. He watched me with a sneaky smile. A smile, like I was amusing. And I amused him the more, of course with the swaying of my hips.
I watched him call one of the bodyguards. I watched him whisper something into his ears. And I watched the bodyguard make his way to me.
Not once did I stop dancing.
********
"You wanted my attention, kitty?" Horrible nickname. But hot voice. I thought.
"I did now, didn't I?" I smirked and leant closer to him on the bed. He yanked me forward by the wrist and breathed into my face.
"Don't play games with me."
"Where's the fun in that? I love to play." I whispered and leant closer pecking his jaw. Opening his legs, he pulled me onto his lap, locking the hand he took behind me. I laughed and pushed back into him.
"Not with me kitty." Then he was attacking my neck, pushing the shoulder length blonde wig I had on to one side. I tilted my head, granting him access, listening to him moan. When his grip on me loosened, I turned on his lap to face him.
I unbuttoned his shirt and ran my fingers over his chest. I pulled myself up and said in a lower voice.
"Want a drink?" He paused the nibbles he was making on my neck and looked up at me.
"Who the fuck are you?" He pushed me down onto him, grabbing my ass. I resisted the urge to slap his hands away.
"What do you think?" I asked, pushing forward into him.
"I think I know what you're up to." He squeezed my behind.
"Really? Why am I still here then?" I smirked.
"I love watching kittens like you try to outwit me." He came for my lips, I subtly dodged, his lips settling at the corner of mine. I pulled him down to my throat, my head thrown back. He sucked on the spot.
"Yeah?" I directed him to my neck, he assaulted but came back for my throat.
I carefully pulled the syringe Dev had tucked into my garters and leant down to his neck. I pecked the spot before pushing the syringe into his skin. He stilled as the ketamine rushed through his system.
I pecked his cheeks and said. "Never underestimate kittens like me. We might claw you just as bad."
"What did you do?!" He asked, fighting the darkness. I lowered him onto the bed and gave him a wide smile.
"Just a few hours of sleep."
I jumped off him and went for the phone on the stand. I watched him loose consciousness and listened to the dial tone.
"Room service."
*********
I stepped out of the hotel in the staffsβ outfit and made for the limo that awaited me. Immediately I entered, the car pulled away from the huge building.
"You okay honey?" Stephen, the forty year old driver asked and I nodded.
"I brought a change of clothes."
"Thanks Stephen." I said as he pulled the partition up for me to change. I changed into a black bodycon long sleeved turtleneck dress that hit right above my knee. I folded my arms over my chest and looked out the window.
The familiar numb feeling took over and I did nothing to stop it.
Soon, we pulled up at our destination. We exited and I asked as we entered the underground club.
"Is Stella here?" He nodded and I made for the room I knew she'd be in.
I took in a deep breath before knocking. I turned the knob and paused as the brunette looked up briefly from the computer that sat on her desk.
"Hi mom." I greeted with a timid smile.
"Hi sweetie. What do you have for me?" She asked, her face still glued to the screen.
I pulled out the drawstring bag containing the diamonds. I placed it on the desk and that finally got her attention on me.
She opened the bag and looked through. Then she looked back at me and smiled. I let out a breath of relief and smiled back.
"Well done honey." I played with my fingers, stuck on what to say or do.
"Thanks." I eventually muttered and she nodded.
"Go on. Stephen will take you back." I nodded and said bye to her.
I walked out into the busy place and made my way out. I saw Stephen with a coat already out for me. I smiled as he helped me into it. He tucked a few rogue curls behind my ears and looked at me with disapproval and sadness.
"You know kiddo, you don't have to do-"
"Not again Stephen. We've talked about this." I cut him off.
"I know. I know. I just...I wished you'd focus more on school than all this."
"I am focused. I keep telling you." I said and he sighed.
"You're not gonna listen, are you?" I gave him a mischievous smile. He rolled his eyes and pulled me into his arms.
"You'll be the death of me I swear." He muttered and kissed my hair.
I chuckled and buried my face in his chest.
"Hey Stephen? Do you mind if I walk today? No, before you protest, I'll be fine. I just....want to clear my head. Please." I begged. He swallowed what he was gonna say and sighed.
"Fine. Call me when you reach." He agreed and kissed me again. I nodded and left after saying goodbye.
I pushed my hands into my coat's pocket and breathed in as the night air hit my face. My mind raced a mile in thought. It always did after nights like this.
My hand automatically went up to my neck, wishing I had the necklace with me. I ran my fingers along my collarbone as I thought about him.
Them.
Would they have liked who I'd become?
I pushed the question away because I knew the answer. And I didn't like it. I knew they-
A sudden laughter stopped me. I looked up in the direction it came from.
Four insanely tall boys walked from a distance. They guffawed and messed around with each other but I didn't care about that.
I only cared about the raven haired boy who caught my attention. He laughed again. From something his blonde friend had said. Or was it the taller brunette? I had no idea.
He was all I could see.
When he laughed again, I thought it beautiful.
My lips unknowingly curved up.
A laughter like that....it could set any soul on fire.
The thought hit me hard.
They stopped at a diner. I watched them enter, taking a couple steps forward, involuntarily. It happened so fast. Seconds later, the doors to the diner were closing. But he stopped and turned in my direction.
I caught his hazel eyes. My breath got stuck in my throat. I was terrified. Of what? The fact that he'd caught me staring?
No. The fact that those eyes could cause trouble. I swear they could.
He continued watching me. Time seemed to have stopped. Or was it the moment that drew it taut?
I lowered my eyes. When I lifted them up, he was gone. For a moment I wondered whether that strange encounter happened.
Then I was walking. Walking like the last minute never happened.
