I sighed adjusting my long black braids and rotating my shoulders. I closed my eyes and let my fingers guide me as the melodic sound of the piano filled the music room. The particular tune I was currently playing reminded me of my mother, this was her tune. She would play the piano to my sister and I almost every night, even though I barely remember, some things I could never forget, those nights, the tunes and her smile.

While I was fascinated with the instrument my sister preferred just listening. My sister loves it when I play for her, it was hard at first but I slowly started enjoying it again because every time I would play she would get this look in her eyes. The look she used to have when our parents were around, it was like for that time being she would just let everything go and let herself get lost in the moment.

When our parents died I didn't think I would ever be able to play ever again and that broke my sister, plus when we moved in with my aunt there was no piano or any musical instrument for that matter. I didn't mind at that time I had bigger things on my mind. The feeling of the keys under my fingers brought back a lot, a involuntary smile made it's way across my face as my fingers swiftly moved over the keys my mind completely going elsewhere. My eyes popped open as I continued playing.

I remember the first time Anele heard me play she dramatically fake cried and said and I quote ' One day I want to sensually fuck-no make love- while you play the piano in the background.'. Even though I had known her for a while that had completely caught me off guard I couldn't help but chuckle at the memory.

For the past two days I had to talk her out of going to the police. She seemed more disturbed than I was which was odd. Although she wasn't taking the whole thing well, - I think she was a little bit better now, I knew she was dying to ask me about losing my virginity but the whole murderer thing had her feeling uneasy. I knew sooner or later she will shoot all her questions my way.

I haven't heard from Lachlan since that night which I was thankful for. The whole thing with him scared me as much as hearing that gun shot. I hated guns, just the thought of them made my heart race. I had a hate/fear relationship for them.

"Wow." my fingers froze, even though I was in my thoughts, I wasn't that lost in my mind. I saw her from my peripheral vision. She has been standing there for a while.

"Any chance I could convince you to-"

"Let it go." she giggled moving to the couch not far from me.

"Don't let me stop you. Please continue." she said getting comfortable.

"No you kind of grossed me out. " I said chuckling while cringing at her. I watched her pressed lips, she wanted to say something but was trying to stop herself. I knew I didn't have to even ask she would end up saying it anyways.

"Okay so I understand that Lachlan is a murderer and all but I will not let him take away our excitement over the first time you had sex. So what if you fucked a murderer it happens.-

"-No actually it doesn't. I don't think so Anele. "

" - Okay maybe not but I refuse to let him win. So we pretend he's not a murderer and you -"

"It's pretty hard not to. -"

"I said we pretend he's not." she said persistently.

"So tell me all about it-." she said smiling getting comfortable.

"Tell me all about the godly Viking man... Who might also possibly be a murderer." she leaned forward staring at me.

"He does look like a freaking Viking right I thought I was just being weird."

"Yes he does. He looks like a fucking elegant, rugged, sexy, godly Viking." I looked at her raising a brow.

"Who is a murderer-"

"I don't care God measures all sin the same unless it's blasphemy." she said rolling her eyes. As if she wasn't the one freaking out days ago. I sighed slightly turning my body.

"So the night started when I let a murderer take me hom-"

"Isla don't ruin this for me!" she said making me laugh as I dodged her sandal flying at my face.

"Okay I'm sorry I won't ruin this for you because this is all about you."

"You damn right it is, this is the moment I hear how my bestfriend popped her cherry." she said.

"And honestly I think I only got better at convincing myself that we were not associated with a murderer. I mean you think it was him but you didn't see him. You don't know who else was in the house. So maybe it wasn't him. I mean you saw this guy twice in two different countries if that's not fate I don't know what is. And plus he is so fucking gorgeous. It's like-"

"Please don't elaborate." I said, I might have not seen him but I just had a feeling. Even though I trusted my gut I tried to think outside the box for my friend.

Just pretend that maybe he wasn't the murderer. I mean it could've been his butler or whatever. He could've been out on a run or something and maybe he had a evil butler that he didn't know was evil hired by his mother to kill his gir-. I was clearly taking this stupid story way too far for what it is worth he made me enjoy every single moment of my night with him.

I didn't look down on one night stands or anything but I just don't think they are for me, I've concluded. I may be comfortable with talking about sex with my bestfriend which took a lot but I still wanted to get to know someone first before I decided whether I was ready for sex or not because honestly I couldn't stop thinking about giving my virginity to Lachlan, plus how this one turned out makes my point strong. I mean I didn't regret the night at all but I don't think I would ever find myself having a one night stand ever again.

I folded my legs before getting comfortable. I could see the excitement inside of her grow. And so I told her everything. Well not everything everything some things I just couldn't let out of my mouth or say out loud, Lachlan snatched my soul from my body.

Anele was a very dramatic person, she wouldn't stop exaggerating, squeaking more than normal and making me repeat stuff that I only preferred saying once. By the time I stopped talking her eyes were popped out and I didn't even tell her the whole story. Somethings were only just for my memory and I don't think I could physically get them out. My face felt hot just thinking about it. I wasn't embarrassed, slightly embarrassed but I was just... I didn't know how to put it.

"Wow." she finally said her face red.

"Now I really don't think he is a murderer. I-"

"Anele-"

"It's kind of impossible for a man like that to be a murderer that would just be too cruel. Especially looking like that." she said as if trying to make sense of everything.

"Don't judge a book by it's cover." I warned.

"With that kind of stamina and dick, I will gladly judge. I think we make an exception for this one."

"Are you drunk?!"

"Maybe, maybe not."

"You have clearly lost your mind."I said chuckling at the dazed look in her eyes.

"Can we please not talk about this anymore, because it's clearly driving you insane." I said.

"But-"

"Nope."

"Alright so I'm going to go because I need sexual healing of my own." I couldn't help but laugh at her flustered face. I knew this conversation was far from over.

I watched her stand up and walk towards the door before pausing and turning around.

"I want you to come with us tonight, we are going to this fancy party. I'm not pretty sure what it's for, I was quite distracted at the time." she said a smirk on her face.

"-Be ready by 20:00 sharp."

"Actually I can't tonight. I think I'm going to take Liam up on his offer to take me out tonight. When he asked me today I said I would think about it. " he also told me he was stuck at work the day we were supposed to be at the club. I wasn't mad. I understood.

"Think about? Why think about it, you like him." she said her voice barely about a whisper, sarcasm dripping off her voice.

"Why are being sarcastic, I thought you liked the idea of us together."

"I mean as a good friend I had to say that but I changed my mind. I'm team Viking now."

"The man might have murdered someone!" I said very slowly trying to make her understand. Anele played too much.

"Might have. You don't know for sure." she said. It was hard to believe she was the same person I was convincing not to go to the police a few days ago. The same disturbed person.

"Just because of his penis."

"Partly Yes and I'm sure he has a nice personality. I'm sorry but God doesn't make them like that anymore. Do you know how high the percentage of women who don't orgasm is? It's really disgusting, just shows how useless men are. And -"

"Anele."

"Okay - Okay." she said.

"To answer your question I do but the idea of being friends with him just seems right."

"At least go and hear what he has to say."she said her voice sounding fixed. I decided to ignore her tone.

"Okay I understand that but then again there is the murderer situation."

"The Allege- uhm. - What about it? "

"The man could be dangerous and come after me because I think we both know that I heard that gunshot and I don't want Liam in the cross fire. I mean there is a very slim chance that he doesn't know that I heard the gunshot."

"Okay so honestly. It's been more than 48 hours since you've heard from him, maybe he doesn't know you heard it I'm sure if he did he would have found you by now. So go and give Liam a chance if you really want to. " she said.

"I mean I personally think the Viking is the one but okay." she said leaving. I knew she was just joking... I think.

After playing for thirty minutes more completely in my own world. My phone lit up on the top of the piano, it was a message from Anele. I was hoping she had come back to her senses.

'I know I said all those true things about the Viking but please be safe I was kind of dazed after your story and you know how my mind sometimes switches off when we speak about sex, and I might have had a few glasses this morning but stay away from the Viking man no matter how right he may seem, even the slightest chance of him being a murderer makes him out of the option. I love you and have fun with Liam. '

I quickly sent her a text telling her okay and that I loved her too before getting ready. I only now realized how heavy my eyes were and the tiredness of my body. I was sleepy. It made sense because I haven't had a proper night's rest in two days. The first day I spent with Anele consoling her and the next we spent up all night speaking about our cherished mesmeries neither one of us wanting to think about what might be.

I pressed my hand over my mind as I yawned standing up and stretching my tired body. I decided to get ready now I only had three hours left before my date, maybe I could catch just a few minutes of sleep. I couldn't go to the date this tired, it wouldn't be fair to Liam.

I headed to the bathroom washing myself and getting ready, I had already picked out a silky dark green dress which made my brown eyes look hazel and my brown skin radiant. It was a long slightly below my knees, it made my legs look long and sexy. It was sleeveless with small straps and it wasn't very tight but it accentuated my every curve with a short v-neck. It was classy yet simple I liked it.

When I was done getting dressed I still had two hours to kill. I sighed heading to the closet picking out a new clean bonnet. I just wanted a little sleep, I thought the cold water would help but it didn't. I was still sleepy. I slowly toom of the dress not wanting to wrinkle it, I thought about taking the small make-up off but decided against it, it wasn't that much anyways. And if anything got smudged I would just do a few touch ups when I woke up instead of starting over.

I curled up on my bed in only my underwear and a t-shirt that I grabbed from the closet. As soon as my body hit the sheets, I sighed in bliss as my eyes shut and I was out like a light.

...

I couldn't stop tapping my foot as I sat the car. I felt so ashamed and bad. I over slept. And by over slept I mean the date was suppose to start at seven p.m and right now it was nine o'clock at night. I was hopping around in my room fixing myself because no matter how late I was I wouldn't leave the house without brushing my teeth and fixing myself. I truly felt so bad, I couldn't believe I forgot to set an alarm.

I wanted to disappear, the only reason I actually woke up was to pee otherwise I think I would have woke up in the next two days. After peeing I was literally going back to sleep but decided to check the time, after contemplating whether I wanted to really go through the torture of looking at the bright screen with sleep still in my eyes. When I saw the time I freaked out the fifteen missed calls from Liam broke my heart further.

I tried calling him but his phone was off. After finishing up I immediately asked David - Anele's driver to step on it. I knew there was no point in going now but I couldn't stop myself. I watched the buildings pass by as my heart sunk. How would I ever be able to face him again. I couldn't shake the awful feeling in my chest. I thought back to how excited he had sounded over the phone when I told him I would come.

I gulped shifting in my seat. When I saw the place come up I didn't even wait for the car to stop before opening the door and jumping out, I almost fell but I wasn't focused on that right now. When I reached the lady at the front telling her about the reservation that was saved under his last name. She told me he left and they gave our table away, he left a note behind that he asked her to give me if I decided to maybe show up.

After two hours of waiting even I couldn't wait anymore.

I genuinely felt so sad I almost cried. With a heavy heart I thanked her before leaving. I couldn't bring myself to throw the note away in the trash. I clutched onto it. He didn't deserve this he was such a good person. I stepped into the car and just sat there for awhile while David waited for further instructions. I called him one last time before leaving him alone.

I didn't want to go home right now. So I decided to join Anele. I had also woken up to a message from her telling me If I could later join her with Liam if we decided to she would be glad. She had sent me the address and everything. I told David before sitting back. As the car started I laid back closing my eyes feeling like an asshole. I needed a drink and I need to start thinking of ways to apologize to him. I wanted him to know how awful I felt and how sorry I was.

The place wasn't very far front the fancy restaurant that Liam was going to take me to. I took my purse before thanking David telling him he could go home I would call him later but if it was too late than Anele and I would take a cab. We bid our goodbyes before I entered the building I tried Anele's phone for the third time but it went straight to voice mail. I was going to ask her to come get me but I decided I couldn't wait any longer.

Even as I told the man by the door my name, as he checked if I was on the list I just wanted him to move so I could sit. Yet again I couldn't shake the awful feeling in my chest. I smiled at him when he called a waiter to escort me inside. My eyes looked around at the fancy party as I followed the waiter. I could feel eyes on me from all corners of the room. I couldn't blame them for staring, Anele failed to mention that there was a dress code of black and white and here I was in a dark green dress.

I refused to turn around even though I feared that they would escort me out because of the dress code. I held my head up high as I walked confidently. A pair of eyes burned into the side of my face, my mistake was turning my head at the direction. There he sat. At a table with about five men very similar to him and sinfully beautiful, but my eyes didn't even take two seconds looking at the others they stayed on him.

He had a cleanly trimmed beard on his sharp jaw. His green eyes taking my breath from me. His frame calm yet threatening. This man was clearly something else. For a second I craved to see the pure muscle and beautiful tattoos behind that black suit that looked like it was made for him. The man was truly a walking God. I almost tripped on air causing him to lightly chuckle his eyes never leaving mine. Slightly embarrassed and angry I looked away only looking ahead.

After sitting down I snapped out of the trance I was in, remembering why we steered clear of him. Now I had more than enough reason to ditch this party. I was the only one at my table, the other seats vacant. My name on a small card in cursive in front of the empty glass. Anele and her boyfriend were a no show, now not only was I sad and annoyed I was also angry. I shouldn't have come. I politely called over the waiter and asked for some red wine with a new glass before looking the menu.

I could tell I was a little late because some people were almost done with their food and some were just conversing. I could feel his scorching hot stare on my back. I knew it was him because his stare alone lit my body up. It was something I couldn't control, after spending a night with him I could clearly tell that my body had surrendered control to him without consulting me.

I thanked the waiter before opening the bottle of expensive wine taking a sip. Ten minutes. Ten minutes Isla and than you get yourself out of here. I ordered something light I didn't want to drink on an empty stomach because I would end up blacking out if not worse. I kept on watching the screen of my phone counting down the minutes I only had two left, I had started counting when the food got here.

Just as I was about to get up and leave there was only a minute left, the sound of gunshots ripped through the air. I didn't think twice as I quickly pulled the round steel table down not caring at the breaking of the plates and glasses as they hit the floor along with the unfinished bottle of wine. I shielded my body taking a deep breath analyzing the scene carefully peaking at the side of the table. I hated guns, the gunshots felt personal, I was slowly starting to panic.

I already knew every exit there was I saw them the moment I walked in I just needed to find a clear one.

I needed to find one fast, very fast because bodies were dropping very quickly. I watched Lachlan and the men he was sitting with drop bodies. This wasn't a fight. It was a bloodbath being created by them. Even though there was only six of them they moved quickly and calculatingly for a moment I couldn't look away. When I realized there was no clear exit my heart started racing I couldn't keep calm anymore. The rate they were dropping bodies, in a few minutes everyone in here would be dead.

I hoped they didn't see me my table was by the far corner not far from me were turned tables, some tilted. So my table didn't look very far of the scene. I couldn't look away from him as I saw him empty bullets into his victims heads. I noticed one thing, he didn't once miss. He shot all of them in between the eyes. So were the others they were shooting them through the head. For a second they looked like they were competing. After a second there was pin drop silence in the room.

I wiped my wet cheeks praying to God they didn't find me.

"Lachlan cheated."

"Lucan, you alway want to play this game and then when he wins you always whine." one of the six men said sitting down, I watched in horror as he continued to eat. Like nothing just happened. They all had red hair, difference was of some of them the red was darker than the others. Of all of them Lacklan had the darkest hair. I watched the black eyed man eat with my chest moving up and down as I watch most of them retreat back to their seats joining him. Some just drinking.

Yet Lachlan stood not moving his pistol in his hand as he looked at nowhere in particular. He looked like he was waiting for something.

"Well now I'm bored again." The one referred to as Lucan said sipping his alcohol, he didn't seem disturbed by his bloody hands. He looked like the youngest but just as scary as the rest. Lachlan and him were the only two still standing.

I squinted my eyes as I watched Lachlan motion for him to keep quiet with his hand.

"Come out before I come and get you." he said in the most threatening dark voice I have ever heard. His accent prominent and strong. Goosebumps decorated my body as I looked at him. He was looking in my direction. This was it, I allowed myself to shed a few more tears before I met my maker. I then composed myself still peaking at him. Everyone in the room knew that if he would go and get the person he was speaking about, it wouldn't be pretty.

I watched the expression on his face harden. The man gave off death. I've never been so terrified of someone in my entire life. I believe in God and the devil and never have I even as a child been so scared of anything even the devil himself. My heart raced as he started walking towards me putting his pistol away that made him more intimidating, I knew he would use his hands.

As he got closer I felt like I would pee myself. My body started trembling as I saw my life flash before my eyes, for a second the thought of playing dead crossed my mind. I closed my eyes waiting for him to pull me out from behind the table as I silently said a prayer. The crazy beautiful man would kill me. Even though I was about to die I couldn't lie.

My eyes flew open at the begging filling the room. When I peeped out from behind the table again. He was dragging a woman from under the table before me with her hair, stopping close to the other pile of dead bodies. He looked at Lucan before snapping her head, a sickening crack sound filling the room ceasing her cries and pleas. I clasped my hand around my mouth tears rushing down my face, I couldn't take my eyes of her broken neck, her eyes were still wide open dry tears on her cheeks.

He then grunted something in his language to his brother I assumed. I wasn't sure but I had a strong feeling that they were all related. Lucan didn't say anything but took a seat.

"Anyone else." his voice was now calm and he now had his hands in his pockets. Before I could even think twice I came out from my hiding place with my hands in the air sniffing here and there, holding back my tears, I didn't want to die neither did I want him to come and get me. I had no chance of escaping he had eyes on every entrance and exit. As his eyes landed on me a smirk made it's way to his lips.

His eyes trailed up and down my body before coming back to my face as he watched me slowly walk towards him. I trembled when he came closer. I remember when training I would run dangerous scenerios in my mind thinking how easily I would be able to stay calm and take control of the situation. How easily I would be able to get myself out of it. I was wrong, I was so wrong. I had never anticipated for this kind of fear neither did I ever think about it. I thought if anything was to go wrong my sister would be there to protect me. She always was.

She wasn't here. I was alone at this moment. I didn't want to die. I should have listened more carefully when she spoke about different scenerios but I was too busy thinking I was already good enough I didn't need anymore of it. I closed my eyes as his scent invaded my nostrils. He was too close I could feel his body warmth I wanted more distance between us but I wasn't exactly in any position to make demands. The way his brothers were minding their own business felt off.

I stood before him frozen, I was short compared to him. He looked like he could easily crush me. I stood quietly as he brushed my cheek with his thumb lightly rubbing it for a second.

"Álainn. " (Beautiful.)

"I'm sorry I don't understand." I whispered. I didn't want to piss him off. Maybe he was giving me instructions or something.

"Beautiful." he said his eyes darkening for a second.

"Thank you. Ple-please don't kill me Sir-"

"There is no need for formalities Love, don't be shy. You know who I am. I did make you scream my name the whole night not long ago." he whispered into my ear before putting space in between us.

"L-lachlan please don't kill me, I didn't see anything." I breathed out looking into the deepest green eyes I've ever seen. I didn't care about his previous statement I just wanted to live.

"You will come to learn not to lie to me love. I don't tolerate lies or liars. That is your first lesson." he said.

"I'm sorry I won't, I meant I won't tell anyone what I saw just please let me go." I pleaded, a glint flashed in his eyes. I couldn't help but plead because I couldn't tell what his next move was all I knew was that he was unhinged. The evident pure euphoria he had in his eyes as he snapped that woman's neck was stuck in my head. I need to thread carefully.

"I won't kill you. I just want to know why you left. Who gave you the permission to leave?" his eyes already spoke of the unspoken.

"I'm sorry." I whispered. It was at the tip of my tongue. I hoped it would calm the darkness in his eyes, they were starting to change colour even though he seemed calm.

"Don't apologize. You knew what you were doing. " he said smiling a smile that sent chills down my spine.

"Come."

I watched and let him take my small hand into his as he lead me towards the other murderers. I didn't even know what was going on anymore. When their eyes snapped towards me, their laughter and talking between them died down as we approached I wanted to disappear. Everything right now felt like a scene from a horrifying book, a book I desperately wanted to close and burn.

...

Tell me what y'all think.