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THE BASS THUMPED FROM the main floor, reverberating through the VIP room as Kai stepped back into the lounge. The sharp mix of pricey liquor and perfume hit him like a wall.
Dale was leaning in close to a naked girl, wearing a grin that suggested he'd just heard the greatest joke ever. Scott, on the other hand, had completely given up — he was sprawled on the couch, his tie hanging loosely, with a tipped-over glass rolling on the floor. A few of the naked girls were giggling, one trying to shake him awake, but he just muttered something incoherent and slumped back down.
Kai scanned the room, overwhelmed by the crowd, the noise, and the lack of vigilance from the guys who were supposed to have his back.
"Is this what you call staying alert?" His voice cut through the chatter, low and biting enough to make Dale look up.
Dale blinked, still half-laughing. "Chill, man. We're celebrating. It's been months since we had a night like this."
"Just look at him," Kai said flatly, nodding toward Scott. "He's blacked out. If a rival crew walked in right now, both of you would be dead before you even knew it."
Dale waved him off. "No one's dumb enough to make a move here. Not with the owner on our payroll."
Kai stayed quiet. He knew better than to rely on that sense of safety. Times were perilous, and something felt off in New Cyprus lately... like the city was holding its breath. Rumors of a gang war had been swirling for weeks. One wrong look, one bad deal, and there could be blood on the streets before the month ended.
He glanced back at Scott, then at Dale, his jaw tightening. "Let's go. We're leaving."
Dale groaned. "You're impossible, you know that?"
Kai didn't reply; his mind was elsewhere, replaying the moment Violet Candy walked out of his room, a faint smile on her lips, and that challenge in her voice.
Dale crouched next to the couch, shaking Scott's shoulder. "Come on, birthday boy says it's time to go."
Scott mumbled something, groaned, then blinked awake. His shirt was a mess, his hair sticking up in all directions, but with Dale's help, he managed to get to his feet.
They headed for the exit, the heavy bass fading behind them as the cool night air hit. The valet was already there with the sleek red Maserati, its paint gleaming under the streetlights.
Scott squinted at the brightness and smirked at Kai. "So, did Violet Candy give you the best birthday of your life?"
"Shut the fuck up," Kai said, opening the driver's door.
Scott grinned, "Ohh~ I bet she fucked the shit outta you,"
Dale chuckled as he helped Scott into the back seat. "You're always so uptight, man. Loosen up!"
"Yeah," Scott added from the back. "It is your birthday, you know." He laughed at his own joke.
Kai ignored them both and slid into the driver's seat. The engine purred to life, smooth and powerful, as he drove away from the curb.
The streets of New Cyprus blurred past, neon signs flashing in the humid night. Dale and Scott continued their drunken banter, their voices fading into the background.
Kai's thoughts were elsewhere. On her.
Violet Candy. Alyhana O'Hara. He really couldn't decide which name suited her more, but one thing was clear — she was different from the rest. There was a sharpness beneath her allure, a survivor's spirit. She had enough experience to know when to listen and when to speak.
Perfect instincts for someone who might find themselves in a dangerous crowd.
He tightened his grip on the wheel, the corner of his mouth barely twitching. If she played her cards right, she could gain her freedom. And if he played his, she could be what he needed.
Meanwhile, across the city, Alyhana unlocked her apartment door and stepped inside. The faint smell of old paint and stale air hit her. Peeling floral wallpaper clung to the walls, curling at the edges. The place was a single room, the kitchen jammed into a corner, the bed pushed against the opposite wall. A small door led to the cramped bathroom, where the toilet and shower fought for space.
She dropped her bag on the counter and kicked off her heels, relieved as her sore feet hit the floor. Her back protested with every movement. This place wasn't exactly cozy, but it was hers.
After her uncle passed, she sold his house without a second thought. The cash covered part of the debt, but there was still a chunk left over. What remained went into rent for this tiny apartment and a few essentials. It wasn't much, but it kept her off the streets.
With a low groan, she changed out of her stage clothes and slipped into an oversized T-shirt. The cool fabric felt good against her skin. She collapsed onto the narrow bed, staring at the ceiling.
Suddenly, Kai's face came to her mind, out of nowhere. The sharp lines of his jaw, the symmetrical features, the smooth golden tone of his skin. His dark, narrow eyes, framed by ridiculously long lashes for a guy, seemed to gaze at her, as if they could see every lie she'd ever told. His full yet controlled lips held back more than they revealed, and there was that faint stubble along his jaw, with thick black hair brushed back in a way that was both messy and intentional.
He had a certain elegance, a quiet dominance. He didn't need to say much to command attention, and he didn't need to try to linger in her thoughts. He just did.
She hadn't anticipated him sticking around in her head, but here he was, uninvited and relentless.
She couldn't really blame herself. The way he had been with her, genuinely caring to know her story even after fucking the living daylights out of her— that was bound to leave a mark.
She closed her eyes, allowing the image to linger for a moment before pushing it away. A guy like him didn't belong in her world. Not unless they were paying.
"If only things were different," she muttered to herself. She couldn't even afford to fantasize about a man.