Elena's POV
The clock blinks 6:17 p.m. and panic jolts me upright from the couch. Summer will be here soon. I scoop up my pillows and comforter, tossing them onto my bed before stripping out of my lazy-day clothes.
The shower hisses to life. Steam wraps around me as hot water streams down my back, sliding over my skin and into my hair. The scent of lavender shampoo fills the air, calming me at least for a moment.
When I step out, the cool bite of the bathroom air kisses my damp skin. I towel off, the fabric plush and warm, then head for my closet.
Tonight is my birthday. And my dress? My armor.
The red one ,off-shoulder, glitter catching the light like fire. Long sleeves. Mid-thigh. It's bold enough to be noticed, dangerous enough to be remembered. I slip it on, pair it with black heels, and blow-dry my hair until my curls spill like ink down my waist.
No heavy makeup clubs turn it into melted regret just mascara and a swipe of gloss.And a few splashes of perfume here and there .
The vanilla scent .. intoxicating.
My face card always lethal . With or without makeup.
My reflection smirks back at me. I look hot,sexy .
A honk outside. Summer's here. Purse, phone, keys check. The elevator mirrors my outfit back at me, and I can't help but smile.
Outside, the air is crisp, smelling faintly of rain. Summer leans against her car in a blue dress that makes her glow.
"Oh my god," she blurts, eyes wide. "Bitch. You look like sin wrapped in glitter. If you don't get free drinks tonight, I'm suing humanity."
I laugh. "You're gorgeous too, Sam."
By the time we pull up to the club, we're halfway hoarse from screaming Nicki lyrics.
The place is massive ,lights flashing outside, music vibrating through the walls.
Jacob, sam's boyfriend, and his friends, Shein and Leon, meet us at the entrance. Inside, it's chaos in the best way: sweat, perfume, smoke, and bass pounding so deep it rattles your bones.
We claim a booth while the guys head for drinks.
Sam and I chat , catching up on everything. I tell her about Rio obviously.
"So basically you tended a walking Greek god and he just left ?"she ask loud over the music .
"Yea ..then I ran into him in the store ..he's arrogant asf though ..,"I shurg .
Sam laughs shaking her head . She fills me in on her side if drama. That's she's suspecting Jacob has something going on with her sister Martha.
Some fucked up shit .
I glance around wondering why Jacob and his friends are taking so long .
My eyes drift around the room . And my eyes widen in slight shock when I spot him .
Rio.
Sitting in the booth, a few meters from ours surrounded by people who fade into background noise.
I do recognize one person though. A lady I think I saw her during my interview at the Mariano's. Do they know each other ?
I let the question hang , when his eyes land on me dark .. unreadable.
I swallow a lamp that suddenly formed on my throat
I look away too fast. My pulse doesn't.
Why does the universe keep throwing this asshole at me ?
The guys return with twenty tequila shots for my 20th birthday. Summer cheers, everyone claps, and the first shot burns its way down my throat like gasoline.
Summer spends half of her time teasing me when I pointed Rio for her .
"Something straight out of a wet dream I tell you !"she yells laughing at me .
Soon, we're on the dance floor. My head is light, my limbs loose. And when I glance back toward Rio, he's still watching.
I drag my hands down my body, my dress inching higher. His gaze dips to my thighs. The way he leans back, legs spreading, drink in hand ,it's a silent dare. I smirk and turn away before he wins.
The need to pee hits hard.
"Be right back I gotta pee..,"I yell at Sam who is busy dancing with Jacob.
So I weave my way to the quieter hallway.
A blond man in a suit stands by the wall, earpiece gleaming. Security?
"Bathroom?" I ask, my words slightly slurred.
He smirks, eyes sweeping over me like a price tag. "Down the hall, take a right." His voice is oily.
Inside the bathroom, the quiet is almost eerie. I barely make it to the stall before throwing up. My stomach twists. When I'm done, I wash my hands, glancing in the mirror at my smudged mascara. I laugh under my breath.
The door creaks open. Closes.
I ignore it ,until the blond man's reflection appears behind me.
The one who pointed me to the bathroom.
"Perfect," he says, stepping closer.
I glare at him stepping back almost tripping over my heels .
He smirks loosening his tie and moving closer to me .
His figure towers over me .
I push him off me ..
"Leave me alone." My voice sharpens and breaks as I step away from him but my back hits the sink counter, my stomach knots, and panic claws through me.
He pulls a gun from his jacket, the metal catching the fluorescent light. "You're gonna do exactly what I say. That dress…" He licks his lips. "…red's my favorite color."
My body locks up. Tears blur my vision.
I sober up as my blood boils from fear and I can't believe this is fucking happening.
"stay away from me ...dont touch me ..."i choke out as my body trembles and tears flow down my cheeks.
His smirk widens. "feisty..."his scent cigar and whatever cologne he's bathed in makes me choke .
His hand grips my arm yanking me to him..I straggle against him .
"Stop ..!,"I scream at him but he doesn't let go.
The door slams open.
Rio steps inside, eyes like a storm.
Relief washes over me as the guy let's go of me I stamble back .
Rio's eyes asses the situation and angry practically radiates off him .
I tremble.
"Wrong bathroom..,"the blond guy snarls at him .
Rio steps forward...
"I don't think so ..!"he says cocking his head.
He draws his gun , without missing a beat .
He pulls the trigger .
One shot. The man drops, blood pooling fast.
I gasp, shaking, my knees giving out as I slide down to the floor .
My ears ring from the loud gunshot...and suddenly I can't breath
"Breathe princess...in and out ." His voice is low, steady, a contrast of his arrogance and rudeness I knew.
He reaches for me I flinch slightly but his hands wrap around me . I melt into him sobbing in his hold .
His fingers slide through my hair, grounding me.
I cling to him..my frame trembling tears flowing down my cheeks .
The thought of what could have happened claws at me .
When my breathing evens, his eyes sweep over me. "Did he touch you?"
I shake my head. "No .."I sniffle ...
He reaches for my hand assessing my wrists which now bare red marks from how tight the man griped me .
"Fuck..,!"Rio whispers pulling me closer.
His thumb brushes my cheek .
His eyes flash with care ..but still hold the same coldness.
A contrast I cant understand.
He pulls out his phone. His hands still holding me .
He stands holding me up .I lean on the counter my eyes drifting briefly to the man who lays lifeless on the floor.
I splash cold water on my face..my hands still shaking violently.
Rio's voice comes and snaps me back into reality.
"Marco. Ladies' bathroom. Now. Clean it."he orders .
Then, without asking, he leads me out, his hand firm on my lower back. The music and lights feel distant, unreal.
Outside, the night air is cold enough to sting.
I'm still shook trembling a little i stamble on my heels .
Rio stops and kneels down .
I freeze .
What the ?
He gently takes off my heels and without asking he scoops me up .
I gasp slightly caught off guard but my hands loops around his neck .My head resting on his chest. My heels in his hands as he walks to his car
His Ferrari waits at the curb.
He slides me into the passanger seat, buckling my seatbelt before rounding to the drivers seat.
"Good?"he asks .
"Yea"I whisper.
The car dips at his weight as he settles in .
The engine roars to life.
I should call Summer. I should ask why Rio was even here.
I should ask about the dead body .
About who Marco is.
But instead, I get in his car.
Because tonight, I'm too tired to question the devil who saved me.