Chapter 52
Chapter 52
VENUS
“This is a bad idea p>
I said it again as we entered the club-if only to soothe my own nerves. But Sabine and Gianna were already weaving through the crowd like seasoned pros, unbothered by my misgivings.
“Loosen up, Venus!” Sabine tossed over her shoulder, a wicked grin curving her lips as she dragged Gianna deeper into the chaos. “You need this. We all do p>
I wasn’t so sure. The place was packed wall to wall. Lights pulsed in dizzy, electric colors that painted the sweat-slicked bodies swaying on the dance floor. The bass pounded through my chest, through my veins, matching the wild thrum of my heart. The air was thick with alcohol, sweat, and heady perfume-a cocktail of bad decisions.
And here I was, clutching my tiny purse like a lifeline.
I’d managed to evade Aaron’s guards-Sabine’s brilliant idea-but the thought of being out here without them left my stomach twisted in knots. Not because I missed their presence, exactly… but I don’t want to run into any paparazzi.
“This is going to be fun!” Sabine shouted again, already ordering shots at the bar.
I hovered near the edge of the dance floor, uneasy. Watching.
How the hell had I agreed to this?
Right. Because Sabine and Gianna could be terrifying when they teamed up. After dinner, after that conversation-the one that left my heart aching and my mind spinning-I’d been too raw to fight them.
And tomorrow…
Tomorrow I was supposed to see my mother. Just the kind of shape I wanted to be in for that delightful-not conversation.
I grimaced and ordered a drink-something light, I told myself.
One drink wouldn’t hurt.
It’d smooth the edges, make the club less suffocating.
Except one turned into two.
Then three.
They tasted sweet, fruity, harmless. Like juice. Until my head started to float, and my legs stopped belonging entirely to me. The room tilted when I moved. Laughter bubbled out of me too easily, too loud.
I stayed put while Gianna and Sabine danced, laughing and pulling each other deeper into the crowd.
“Come on!” Gianna called, her grin dazzling under the flashing lights. “Dance with us p>
I shook my head with a dazed smile.
No way. I couldn’t trust myself out there. Not like this.
I leaned against the wall, nursing the last of my drink. The bass vibrated through my bones, my limbs pleasantly loose. My brain… less so.
My thoughts chased each other in dizzy circles
I squeezed my eyes shut, willing it all away.
That was when he appeared.
“Venus p>
The voice pulled me from my haze-sharp and familiar.
I blinked, vision swimming slightly. Gerald.
Of all the people. Of all the damn clubs in the city.
He stood there, somehow both casual and composed-dark button-up open at the throat, sleeves rolled to reveal forearms I didn’t want to notice. His gaze flicked from my empty glass to my face.
“You’re drunk,” he said simply.
I opened my mouth to protest. Thought better of it shrugged thatead
Successfully unlocked!
He huffed a small laugh, unexpectedly gentle. “You should be alone inap.ace like this p>
I squinted. “You following me p>
1/3
Chapter 52
His brow lifted. “Coincidence. Though… maybe a lucky one.” His gaze swept the crowd behind me, protective instinct humming in his stance.
“Some coincidence,” I snorted.
I still remembered Rome.
I swayed slightly, the wall the only thing keeping me upright. Gerald moved closer-but not in that way. No smirk. No predatory gleam. Just… steady awareness. A man used to danger.
“Sit,” he said, nodding to a quieter corner of the club.
“I’m fine.” My voice was slower than I wanted. Thick.
God, my tongue felt like lead.
“You’re not. Sit p>
Surprisingly, I obeyed.
Maybe because sitting sounded more like survival than surrender.
He flagged a server, ordered water without asking. It arrived-cold, blessedly clear.
“Drink p>
I sipped, then gulped.
“No guards?” he asked after a beat.
I blinked. “Not here p>
A muscle ticked in his jaw. “I see p>
Another sip of water. The room tilted slightly less.
“You’re here with anyone?” Gerald pressed.
“Dancing.” I gestured vaguely toward the sea of writhing bodies.
He exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. “You really shouldn’t be alone p>
“I’m not alone. You’re here,” I teased, words slurring slightly.
Gerald gave a faint, tired smile. “Not exactly the point p>
And then-before I could say another word-a presence.
Familiar. Commanding. Electric.
Aaron.
I knew before I saw him.
The air shifted-sharpened. Darkened.
The hum in my veins snapped taut.
And then he was there-slicing through the crowd like the whole damn club belonged to him. Perfectly cut black suit, shirt unbuttoned enough to make my pulse race. Eyes burning.
He stopped when he spotted me-his gaze narrowing, flicking from Gerald to me.
I pushed to my feet, unsteady. Reckless courage surged up from nowhere.
The kind only drunk girls possess.
Dangerous courage.
But it was him. Always him.
“You,” I said, jabbing a finger against his chest-his hard, broad, utterly unfair chest. “You look like my husband p>
Aaron’s mouth twitched, not a smile. Something darker. His gaze swept over me-flushed, glassy-eyed, disheveled.
“Love,” he said low, voice slicing through the noise like a blade. “I am your husband p>
I frowned, swaying. “Nooo… you just look like him. He wouldn’t be here. He’d be all… bossy and mad and p>
I wobbled again.
Aaron caught me before I could fall-one strong arm sliding around my waist, pulling me hard against him.
“And what do you think I’m feeling right now?” he murmured.
I blinked up at him, heat spiraling low in my belly.
2/3
Chapter 52
Oh no.
This wasn’t just the alcohol talking.
It was him.
He turned to Gerald. “I’ll take her now p>
Gerald stood, lifting his hands in rare deference. “She’s safe. I wasn’t going to p>
“I know.” Aaron’s voice was clipped. Final.
“Aaron-“I mumbled, tugging on his jacket. “I was fine. I had water. Gerald-he didn’t p>
“We’ll talk about this later,” Aaron said, already moving.
And I was moving with him-half carried through the crowd, my heart hammering in my chest. My legs were leaden, but his grip was iron, unyielding.
“Waiiiittt,” I slurred, tugging on his shirt. “Sabine and Gianna are here with me p>
“Sabine called me,” he said, brow furrowed. “Told me to come get you. I don’t see them anywhere p>
“They ditched me, didn’t they?” I giggled. “They said it would be fun. I didn’t wanna come.” I clarified-as if he’d accused me.
Aaron leaned down, his breath hot at my ear. “We’ll talk about this when you’re sober p>
“Are you gonna punish me?” I giggled.
He paused. “We’ll see p>
Outside, the air hit me like a slap-cool and sharp, a stark contrast to the heat inside. The car was waiting, sleek and black. Aaron opened the door, guided me in.
He buckled me in, fingers brushing my skin, the belt clicking into place while I whined, “One more drink. Please. Just one p>
His gaze pinned me. “You’ll drink water. You’ll sit there, quiet, good, until we get home p>
I pouted.
But the word that slipped from my lips wasn’t no.
It was soft. Sweet. Helpless.
“Okay p>
Ruby Walker
Ruby Walker is a rising voice in the world of romance and spicy fiction. With a gift for weaving deep emotions, sizzling chemistry, and unexpected twists, her stories are a blend of passion and drama that captivate readers from start to finish. Ruby’s writing style is bold and irresistible—perfect for those who crave intense, addictive love stories.