"I have to say, you surprised me Simon. This is truly a club worthy of your position."

"Killian." He greeted me with a warm smile. "I'm glad you made it. He walked up to me and put his arm around my shoulders. He already smells slightly of alcohol, but not so much that it was unbearable. "Gentleman." He pulled me towards the group of older men he had been talking to so far. "Killian Acker." He pointed at me. "I'm sure you know him."

"Mr. Acker. I am honored." One of them offered me his hand, which I accepted out of politeness. He must have been in his forties. I couldn't place his accent anywhere. But he was definitely not from the area. "Abraham Wagner."

"Wagner is of German origin, if I am not mistaken." I'm never wrong.

"Correct." He smiled. But I don't like his look. "If you'll excuse me, I was on my way out. I have something else to do. I hope we'll meet again." Before he left, he said goodbye to everyone in this small circle. He disappeared from my sight as he went up the stairs.

"Well, if you'll excuse us as well, we still have some work to do." Simon spoke and we went from the group to the back where the seats were. "Please." He gestured for me to sit down.

I walked past him and unbuttoned my suit to sit down. Simon immediately followed me.

"So how are you liking it here so far? Happy with your investment?" He raised an eyebrow, leaning back comfortably on the seat and spreading his arms along the length of the back.

"I have to say, I expected something different when you said this was for our people. The crowd outside the club is too big and I didn't notice any of them going in at all." Before I got here, a few people had unpleasant comments.

"Only a few people get in here from the public. And only on the floor above us. This is for us only." He gestured with his hands around him. "Also, there are quieter places, purely for business."

"And if someone loses their temper and starts shooting? We'd have the whole NYPD on our ass."

"That's taken care of, too. Weapons are handed over at the entrance, and you can take it back when you leave."

"I have mine."

"Because I know you and I know I can trust you."

"And the civilians? Are they also controlled?"

"Every man is thoroughly checked before he can enter." He said boldly.

"What about the women?" I frowned.

"Women? Killian, really? We both know they're not built for that."

"I disagree. You never know what you're going to run into these days." I snorted at the memory of the woman with Luna.

They're probably out of town already, but I don't like that they only check men. He should be more careful.

"If you feel better, I'll arrange it right away. It's no problem." He shrugged. "Anything else while we're at it or can I take it that you quite like it here?" He stood up and buttoned his jacket.

"I haven't really looked around here yet."

"Well, when you're done with it, let me know. After all, it's kind of your club, you should get to know it here. I'm going to handle the check at the entrance. I'll find you later." After that he disappeared from my sight.

I once again looked around the whole club. It's really something on the level. It goes without saying that it was profitable to finance it. Even if it didn't belong to Simon.

A woman with a tray full of alcohol walked up to me while I was checking out the club. "Can I get you something?" She smiled at me.

"Just water, thank you." She was slightly taken aback by my answer, but she immediately recovered and headed to the bar.

I was interrupted from my thoughts by the phone that started ringing in my suit. When the name Sebastian appeared on the screen, I immediately picked up.

"Yes Sebastian?"

"We have a problem, you should come back."

"What kind of problem?" Before he could say, I was already standing up and heading for the stairs.

"Someone tried to get into the villa. Security stopped him. He's unconscious right now, but he'll wake up soon."

"Make sure he doesn't get away. I'm on my way." I hung up and went upstairs. I slipped past security and texted Simon that I had to leave so he wouldn't be looking for me.

"That woman almost broke my arm." Two guys passed me. "And I haven't even tried anything yet."

I couldn't help but laugh at the idiot. I looked in the direction they were walking to amuse myself, but my smile dropped immediately.

You've got to be kidding me.

I automatically reached for the gun on my belt but stopped. I can't cause a scandal here. I don't need to be in trouble with the police or Simon.

Although I could make an exception for her.

What is she even doing here? I pointedly told Luna to get out of town as soon as possible. I don't think this is what leaving looks like.

I should have made sure they left. It was naïve to think that I would persuade them so easily.

I glanced over at Luna, who was whispering something to her before disappearing away from the dance floor.

I should go back to the villa to see Sebastian. That's the right decision. Solve that problem first.

I know what's right, so I don't know why I'm walking towards her. People moved out of my way until I stopped behind her. The song "Good feeling" was playingin in my ears while I contemplated her murder.

I did something against my will to get her attention. I put my hand on her waist and felt her stiffness. Within a few seconds, she turned and her hand flew towards me. I caught it just in time.

"Do you welcome everyone like that?" I smiled.

"You." She pulled her hand out of my grip.

"Me." I adjusted my suit while I looked her over from head to toe. She is the complete opposite of how Luna was dressed. To be honest, I can't quite imagine her in a dress. She even took an old bandana to such a club and put it on her hand.

"Have you finished staring yet?" She snorted and crossed her arms over her breasts. "If you're here to kill me, I have to disappoint you, I don't plan to do that today."

"Why are you still here? I'm sure I said to both of you to leave." It wasn't in my imagination, was it?

"And you thought we were going to listen to you?" She laughed. "I thought Luna said you had no sense of humor. She must have been wrong."

"I warned you."

"A dog that barks doesn't bite. Plus, didn't you get Luna's message from Theo? We're not going anywhere."

"From Theo?" I frowned. I didn't talk to him today. I tried to find him in the afternoon, but no one knew where he was.

"So he's not your little bitch after all, is he Killy?"

"What did you say?" I took a step closer to her, almost pressed against her chest, but I didn't touch her.

She took her hands off her chest and walked even closer. "Killy." She played with it on her tongue.

"Are you testing my patience?" I said between my teeth.

"No. I wouldn't dare." The sarcasm was clearly audible in her voice. "So Killy." She slowly raised her hand to my chest but I stopped her before she touched me. I gripped her wrist tightly. "Ow." She closed her eyes in surprise before smiling again. "You don't like that, do you?"

"If you're trying to dial me into killing you, it's working."

"That's exactly what I was aiming for."

With every word that comes out of her mouth, my blood boils and my nerves crackle.

I opened my mouth to say something to her, but I noticed that she was no longer looking at me. I turned to see what was so interesting to her. Two guys were sitting at the bar having a conversation. But I knew one of them. Abraham Wagner.

"Something wrong?" I turned back to her.

"No. I bet you're friends. I should have guessed he was from the mafia when I saw him."

"Where did you two meet?" I frowned. What could Abraham have to do with her?

"Well, aren't you curious?" She finally shifted her gaze to me.

The direct light shone on her green eyes, making them even brighter. Where have I seen them before?

"I don't owe you anything, so I don't have to confess."

I swear. This woman... "Tell me where you know each other and I'll forget you almost killed Finn."

"First of all, I didn't try to kill him or he would be dead by now. Second, why do you care?" I noticed she was trying to read something from my face, but I could already tell she wasn't going to succeed.

"Is it always so hard with you?"

"This isn't even the beginning, Killy."

She says it one more time and I cut out her tongue.

"Answer my question."

"You didn't answer...."

"I'm not going to play this game with you Erin or whatever the hell your name is. Tell me where you met him." I'm losing all patience with her.

"Eris." She corrected me. "And has anyone ever told you that you're not the nicest person alive?" I approached her a little closer. "Okay, okay." She put her hands in a defensive gesture. "He showed up in front of Luna's apartment a few days ago. He wanted to hire me. He would pay me around ten grand if I accepted. Satisfied?" She raised an eyebrow.

We are finally getting somewhere.

"What did he want to hire you for?"

"To kill someone. And before you ask, he didn't tell me his name. I said no and threatened him not to bother me again. I haven't seen him since. Until now. Is that all?"

"Son of a bitch." I turned to find him at the bar, but he was gone.

"Where are you going?" I heard her voice behind me but decided to ignore it.

I ran towards the bar. "Where is the guy who was sitting here now?" I asked the bartender.

"He left through the front door." He pointed towards the exit.

I started running after him. As I opened the door to the outside, a cool breeze hit me. There were hundreds of people around, but not one of them was Abraham.

I looked around the whole street, watching every car that passed by.

But he was nowhere.

Shit.



That was weird.

I watched Killy as he ran from the bar straight to the front door. At least I got rid of him.

But what did he want with that guy?

Surely I shouldn't go after him, should I?

Okay, screw it.

Why do I have to be so curious? I should unlearn it.

On the way out, I ran into Luna, to whom I told her that I would be right back. I didn't hear what she said next, I just ran after him.

I know I shouldn't, it's none of my business, but it's too late.

As I ran out, I immediately noticed him standing on the sidewalk. He looked at the whole street and all the people on it.

I can already see that he hasn't found him, so I can turn around and go back to Luna.

That's probably a smart idea. Much better than running after him. What was I even thinking? I should really think about what I'm doing sometimes.

I turned on my heel and started walking back, but suddenly I felt a hand on my wrist.

And here goes my idea, to go back in, straight out the window.

"What else do you know about him?" I turned my head to him. "Talk."

I'm not saying I'm afraid of him, because I'm not, but I have to say, he looks scary. But I'm still not afraid of him.

"Nothing." I told the truth. "What I told you is all I know. I don't even know his last name."

"You know who he wanted you to kill?"

"I already told you no." Was he listening to me at all? My mouth was definitely moving, but I probably couldn't get the words out.

"Do not lie to me." He said between his teeth and squeezed my hand even harder. I hissed in pain.

"I'm not lying." I tried to pull my hand out of his grip, but I couldn't.

This guy loves to leave bruises on my body.

"Can you find him?"

"Let go of my hand."

"Can. You. Find. Him." He repeated.

"Let. Go. Of. My. Hand." If he wants to play this game, fine. I won't say a word to him until he lets me go and calms down.

He slowly let go of my hand, which I immediately grabbed and passed over the place where he was holding it. Another beautiful bruise will appear here in the morning.

"Can you find him?"

"Yes." What the hell am I saying? I'm not going to work for him. Not a chance.

"Tell me the price."

"I won't work..."

"Tell me the price." He said more sternly.

"Thirty thousand." I crossed my arms over my breasts. There's no way he'd nod to that.

"Agreed." Shit, I should have wanted more. "Find him and bring him to me. Alive. You have two days."

What did I just agree to...

*****

Hope you enjoyed. <3