It seemed like time had paused for a moment. Just for a moment. Long enough for her to soak in his features.

His shirt was buttoned halfway, presenting his broad tattooed chest on full display, but she only glanced at it.

Her eyes drew immediately to his face… his perfectly crafted face. His hair was different this time, it wasn’t gelled back but messy; not like Jamie’s, in a sexy way.

Although Alexa would never open her mouth to tell him that.

“Are you alright?” His deep smooth voice reached her ears as he stared at her in his arms, his eyes lacking the anger she saw in them a couple hours ago.

Why did he act like he had a conscience? Asking like he actually cared if she was alright.

She cleared her throat, “Yes, I am, thank you.” and then he let go of her slowly, as though he was afraid she might fall again.

She eyed him warily as she stood. She wanted to run out of the club immediately. What kind of ‘coincidence’ was this?? What if he actually found out where she worked and came here to punish her for what she did earlier– no matter how justified.

Not up to a second after, Carl came into view, a sheepish smile on his face as he faced the handsome man before her.

“Mr. Cole, please, please have a seat, I’m so honored to have you grace my club with your presence.” He said as tried to usher him to his seat.

But he didn’t move an inch. His gaze was fixated on Alexa like predator on a prey.

Alexa was definitely not a coward, but only a fool would face a man as powerful as Mr Cole and not feel intimidated. Afraid.

And after what she did, there were more than enough reasons to be afraid.

After what seemed like forever, he took his seat, and it was only then she noticed the three huge men that stood behind him.

Carl cleared his throat nervously, “Alexa, don’t just stand there, take his order!” Then he walked away, muttering “Where are those bloody strippers??”

Alexa ignored the way her heart pounded in her chest as she faced Mr. Cole, “What would you like, sir?”

“A drink.”

“What drink you li-”

“With you.” He cut her off, a smirk playing on his lips.

“I don’t understand sir?” Alexa hoped it wasn’t what she thought he implied. Maybe she didn’t understand English anymore.

Yes, that was probably-

“I want to have a drink with you.” He repeated, his eyes sinking deep into hers.

“I’m working sir, so that won’t be possible.” She replied with a tight smile.

Even if she wasn’t, she’d rather drown in an ocean of acid than sit with the man that almost ran her over and didn’t even apologize for it.

“So you’re turning down my offer?”

“I don’t think my boss would take it lightly if he found me drinking with his prestigious customer”

He chuckled “You’re too beautiful to be working in a place like this, Angel.”

Angel? Where does this man think he is?

She scoffed, “Well, beauty doesn’t pay the bills.”

“There are exceptions to that rule… and you could be one of them.”

What did he mean by that?? Did he just imply that she was a prostitute?? That would willingly sell her body for money??

The effrontery!! The audacity of this man!!!

First, he tries to kill her, then he threatens her, and now this??

“I don’t think so sir, I’ll get your drink right away.” She said quickly as she hurried away to the bathroom.

Hopeful Carl would not notice her absence for a few minutes. Because if she didn’t stay in this bathroom, she would break a bottle on that arrogant man’s head.

She paced the bathroom as she huffed. So because he was rich and had a face of a Greek god, he thought he could say anything to her and she’d swoon.

She would swoon alright, and it would be her fist to his face… but that would be in another life.

After she had calmed down slightly, she took a deep breath and stepped outside, preparing herself to face that asshole again.

She went straight to the bar, ignoring his hungry eyes on her figure. “I need a drink.”

The bartender raised a brow, “Since when did you start drinking?”

“For the distinguished customer in our midst.” She responded, rolling her eyes.

He chuckled, “You better serve him right, he could change your life, who knows?”

“Shayla and Carla would serve him just fine.” She said picking the tray once he placed the bottle of whiskey and a glass cup.

With every step she took, she was careful. He was attentive.

The way her hips swayed as she moved, his eyes followed closely. As though if he looked away for just a second, she would disappear.

Once she got to the table, she said nothing as she poured the drink in the glass, but her mind raced with insults towards this man before her.

But she knew better than to say anything.

Not because she was afraid of him. But she feared that if this asshole complained to Carl about anything, she would definitely lose her job.

And this was her only source of income, and she was barely hanging on.

“What would it take to have a drink with you?” He finally spoke, his voice filled with confidence.

One that Alexa would have admired if it wasn’t coming from an asshole.

“Nothing, sir.”

He grinned, “You’re sure about that?”

“I’ve never been more sure about anything, sir.”

He leaned back into the sofa, and signaled one of the men beside him.

Immediately one of the men approached Alexa, giving her a black envelope.

She looked at it skeptically, before collecting it.

“Open it.” He commanded, as he took a sip of the whiskey.

Her brows creased as she opened the envelope, curiousity getting the better of her.

But no one could have prepared her for what she saw in it.