The noise around us faded away.

It felt like the whole room had disappeared, leaving just the two of us standing there.

He wore a suit, one that hugged every inch of his muscular frame. It was black and navy with silver cuffs. His hair was swept back, not a strand out of place. He had a glass in one hand, a small silver box in the next.

"Fancy seeing you here," he spoke first, his eyes never leaving mine.

I glanced at Rhia before turning back to him. "Same, didn't think you were the 'birthday party' type."

He smiled. "I'm not, but Naz is a good friend of mine. I couldn't possibly miss his daughter's 21st party."

I nod slowly. "Understandable. How's your wound?"

He shrugged. "It's healing, the whiskey has been helping alot."

I shook my head in a playful way. "I don't get the hype over alcohol. It's harsh and it burns going down, and all it ever brings is bad decisions and headaches."

He laughed, one that flashed his perfect white teeth. I found myself staring, unsure if it was admiration or something else. Either way, he was handsome and in more ways than one.

"You should try it, it does take the pain away," was his reply before downing the rest.

"I'll stick to my water and pineapple juice thank you,"I said, a smile appearing on my lips.

He studied me from head to toe, his gaze steady and intense, then locked back onto my eyes.

"Nice dress. You're not wearing heels are you?"

I pushed my leg out, showing him my platform boots. He smiled, as if he expected it.

"You're so different," he said. "I mean, ladies love to wear heels on occasions like this."

"Well, I'm not a lady," I replied. "And I'm here to do a job. Heels would just make it harder."

There was silence after that. It wasn't uncomfortable, just peaceful, as if we were trying to figure each other out.

He was about to say something when a claw appeared on his shoulder. I said claw because the length of the nails could probably kill someone.

She slid in beside him. My jaw clenched when I realized that it was the same woman who grabbed me at the club. I could have slapped the shit out of her for touching me, but I kept my cool. Tonight, however, she better not try it again.

"Hi baby, you're a bit late,"she said in a voice that was meant to be seductive. To me, it was kind of annoying.

"Take your hands off," Angel said, pushing her hands away from him. His face was calm, but it was changing fast.

They had a past, that much was obvious. Her voice was annoying, but I couldn't lie about her looks. She was beautiful, most definitely his type. Blonde hair, brown eyes, big boobs, nice curves, the whole package. She wore a long, red dress with a deep V-neck, leaving little to the imagination. Her heels were sky-high, stylish, but definitely not made for comfort.

"Stop pretending Angel, I know you miss me. Remember how I use to warm your bed daily?"

This was too much. I didn't want to stand and listen to her rant about their past together. Angel was silent, but his expression was deadly. His eyes bore into mine and I made the decision to turn away.

My stomach dropped. Rhia wasn't with her friend anymore. What's more alarming was that her friend was gone as well.

"Are you his new bitch?"

My head snapped around. What the fuck was she getting at? I glanced at Angel, his jaw was tight, fists clenched like he was ready to explode.

I took a threatening step towards her. "Listen and listen well, I'm not interested in your man so get that thought out of your thick skull. And if you ever insult me again, I'll drag you up the stairs, and throw you off without a second thought."

I didn't stay to see her reaction. I turned and went in search of Rhia.

I stopped by the cake table, where a young girl was eating.

"Hi, have you seen the birthday girl?" I asked. She nodded immediately.

"She and her friend Talia went to the bathroom," she replied. Now I knew her best friend's name.

"Where's the bathroom?"

She pointed to the right. "Through that door, down the long hallway, and then turn left."

I thanked her quickly before rushing towards the door. I opened it and slipped through. The ceiling lights were a bit low, but I could still see. I made my way down the corridor, and then turned left.

I stepped into the female bathroom, keeping my eyes peeled. Panic started to rise when I didn't see the girls. They had to be around somewhere. I got my answer when I heard laughter coming from outside.

I rushed out, a sigh of relief escaped my lips when I saw the girls. They jumped, clearly startled by my sudden appearance.

"Skai, are you okay?" Rhia asked, her eyes filled with concern.

"I'm fine. I panicked when I didn't see you inside," I replied.

"Sorry I left like that. Talia and I needed some fresh air, so we went outside," she said, her friend holding onto her arm.

Talia gave a small smile. "Yeah, it got way too overwhelming in there."

"That's okay. Let's head back."

I took the lead as we started walking back.

We froze halfway when a gunshot echoed in the distance.

"Was... that?" Rhia asked, panic rising in her voice.

"Yes, it was. Stay close to me and stay alert," I replied, pulling out my gun. I clicked the safety off and continued down the corridor.

We stopped again when we heard footsteps coming toward us.

"Run!"

We spun around and dashed back the way we came, breathing hard, every step frantic.

"The door leads outside!" Rhia shouted as it came into view. We stopped, and she tried to pull it open.

"It's not opening!" she yelled, rattling the handle desperately.

"How come? We just went through it! "Talia exclaimed.

"Stand back!" I shouted before planting my feet into the door. It didn't even budge.

"Someone must've locked it from the outside," Rhia said, and a chill ran down my spine. Something was definitely going down.

"I'm going to hide in the bathroom,"Talia said, running off before I could stop her.

"Talia wait!" Rhia shouted, running after her. I groaned before rushing after them.

As we cut the corner, I froze, my hand shooting out to pull Rhia back.

There, in front of us, was Alrik. He had Talia in a chokehold, a gun pressed to her head. My gun was pointed at him, but I couldn't shoot.

His lips curled into an evil smile. "I don't have any beef with you, I just want Rhia. Give her to me, or things will get really ugly."

I pushed her behind me, my gun still aimed at him.

"Why? What do you want with her?" I asked, my voice cold and deadly.

He laughed. A low, cruel sound that sent a chill down my spine. "I've always wanted you Rhia. I want you to be mine."

My face twisted in disgust. So this is what it was all about.

"You're crazy if you think I'd want you," Rhia shouted from beside me.

His lips fell into a thin line. "When I get my hands on you, I'm going to tie you up and fuck you so hard you'll never forget me"

By this time, Talia looked like she was about to pass out.

"Let her go," I said, low and dangerous.

He only grinned. Then without warning, he shoved her hard. Her body slammed into the wall, before falling to the floor.

I pulled the trigger but so did he. I ducked, the hot breath of a bullet grazing past my ear. My instincts screamed to move, to survive. But he didn't stop.

Shot after shot echoed off the walls, the air thick with the sharp stench of gunpowder.
Every bullet was missed, but that was the point. It wasn't about hitting me. It was about making me cower.

"You bitch!" He shouted as he neared us. He stopped firing and I took that chance. I doved at his legs and slammed into him, knocking him off balance. He hit the ground hard, a groan leaving his lips.

I took the chance and pointed the gun to his head.

"Please don't!" He shouted, with hope in his eyes.

I was about to pull the trigger when I felt a pair of eyes on me. I looked up, and my eyes landed on Rhia's bodyguard. He had a gun aimed right at me.

"Pass the gun," he said and I grit my teeth. Son of a bitch!

I hesitated before throwing the gun towards him.

A fist immediately connected with my jaw, knocking me backwards.

"Skai!" I heard Rhia yelled from behind me. I started coughing, blood appearing on the ground beside me.

"Took you long enough, " I heard Alrik say, though it was faint.

"Rhia run!" I shouted as loud as I could. A feet connected with my stomach, making more blood spill from my mouth. Then another one, then another. A scream erupted from my lips when he stomped on my hand.

Tears welled up in my eyes from the pain.

I felt hands on my legs digging through my stockings.

"Damn, this bitch is loaded!"

My vision was blurry, and my mind felt foggy. I wanted to get up, but I couldn't. My body wouldn't move. I felt stuck.

I had failed.

I failed Naz. I failed Rhia.

I failed at what I'm good at.

Worst of all, I failed myself.

The weight of it hit me all at once. The disappointment, the guilt, it crushed me.

Something inside me cracked open, a hollow ache spilling through my chest. This wasn't just defeat. It was surrender. The kind that seeps into your bones, whispering that maybe you were never enough to begin with.

I tried to hold on, to keep fighting, but it was like my strength had been taken from me. There was nothing left to give.

Then, everything went black.

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