Author’s POV

The chilling night breeze skimmed Skye's skin, making her shiver as they got out of the Lamborghini Aventador.

She was anxious; not because she hadn't been to a club before; but because she had never been to a club with her stepbrother whom she had a crush on.

And even with just his arrival, he was busy talking with others.

“This won't be good,” she muttered to herself, with her hands shaking precipitously by her side as they walked into the loud music and colourful lightning.

Lynn was right beside her in a mesh shirt and jeans—he dressed…really basic—At least standing next to Skye who took ‘a stunning outfit’ slightly more personal.

She stood in high stiletto heels and a shiny, bodycon, mini backless dress with its tiny strings tied at the back of her neck. Skye was one confident fashionista even if she wasn't outspoken.

“Oh… Lynn brought the good Atmosphere with him, didn't he,” A brown skinned girl grinned, yelling slightly so her voice could be heard out of the loud music and turning left and right.

She was seated between two men in their early twenties and she looked quite relaxed with them also.

“I'm Anna,” She extended her hand and Skye shook her, “Skye,” she said softly with a small smile, and waved at the other friends at the table.

The air was strong with alcohol, different perfumes, and cigarettes all blending.

Skye stood a few feet behind Lynn, monitoring him.

He leaned against the counter with two of his male friends. He hadn’t said a word to her since they’d walked in. It was as if he had totally forgotten about her.

Skye couldn't stop gazing at him, he looked too good tonight even if he wasn't even trying.

His hair was pushed back and shiny as he had just had a trim.

His shirt was half-unbuttoned and a silver chain hung beneath it.

He laughed at something one of the guys said.

Skye wasn't even listening to the discussion, she was just lost in her stare—that deep smooth smile he had that always seemed to pull her in.

But he didn’t even glance her way. Not once.

Skye tried to blend in, but it was impossible when the person she came with wouldn’t look at her. She reached for a drink that wasn’t hers, downed a mouthful, then left Lynn and his friends and headed for the bar.

The bartender shook bottles and mixed drinks and prepared her a shot.

She didn't say anything, only downed it in one drink and smiled at him, pretending to be okay.

Behind her, she could still hear Lynn and his friends teasing and joking.

“Anna said she fingered her,” one of them joked.

“Bad bitch, how many bangs does she get in a week?” another said.

“Bro, that girl’s wild. Guess she doesn’t care what side she plays on. The kitty suffers nevertheless.”

The laughter that followed was sharp and cruel—like victory.

Skye’s stomach swerved. She turned away, wanting to escape the reminder that Lynn was part of this wild and careless world.

“Hey.”

A deep voice whispered close to her.

She turned and saw a man slide onto the stool beside her. He had striking green eyes, dark hair, and a smile that looked too rehearsed to be normal.

“It's them,” she said inwardly, breathing out softly.

“I’m Jade,” he said, raising his glass.

Skye gave him a short, diverted look. “Aight.”

He huffed, “Wow…Cold.”

“Guess I’ll have to earn more than a word.”

She turned slightly away, eyes scanning for Lynn again, but Jade leaned closer, his breath stung with alcohol.

“You don’t look like you’re enjoying the party,” he said with a smirk.

“I’m fine,” she muttered, leaning away from him and turning her face to avoid the stench.

And then his hand grazed against her thighs like an accident— which obviously wasn’t one. Skye froze.

Alert, “Don’t be a dick,” she fired at him, slapping his hand away.

He laughed, “You’re too pretty to be this… uptight. Look at those fresh round fruits you've got.”

Angry, she stood up to walk away but he caught her wrist firmly.

“Hey, relax,” he whispered again, stepping closer, and before she could even try to pull off her hand, he slid his hand into her dress and grabbed her boobs, squeezing them mercilessly.

The glass dropped from Skye's other hand and smashed against the floor.

“What the hell!” she slapped him hard across his cheek instantly, the sound cracking through the music and her hair in her face with the force of her turn.

He stumbled back, not predicting the force of her hit.

His eyes dimmed. “You bitch—”

He lifted his arm.

Skye shut her eyes tightly, reflexes springing and her hand shielding her face to protect her from the impact.

But after a few seconds, she opened her eyes—he didn't hit her. He couldn't.

Lynn was there.

He was holding Jade’s wrist tight enough to whiten his knuckles. His face was tight with destructive coldness and his jaws clenched.

“What did you try to do?” he roared.

Jade tried to pull back but somehow Lynn was stronger.

Lynn’s hand shook as he twisted Jade's wrist downward, pushing him onto his knees.

“Fuck!” Jade cried out.

“Lynn—” Skye whispered in fear.

He ignored her, and in an instant, the shiny sole of his Italian dodgers came down on Jade’s palm.

The sound of bones snapping made even the bartender flinch.

Jade cried out again in pain.

Skye gasped, covering her mouth.

The music kept playing, but the act had caused everyone present to halt and watch.

Lynn leaned down slightly, his voice in a low whisper that only Jade could hear. “That’s my warning. Next time, you won’t even see your fingers.”

He stood straight with a fulfilled smile and turned to Skye.

A chill ran down her spine as their eyes locked.

Something in his gaze had shifted, it was slightly fierce, slightly possessive, and slightly dangerous.

She didn’t know whether to be scared or flattered. But her cheek turned pink and her lips pressed hard together as she hid a smile from adding to her blush.

Security rushed over, “What’s going on here?”

Jade’s friends came too, shouting at Lynn. “You’re done, man! You’re getting kicked out for this!”

One of the guards paused, then his radio buzzed.

There was a short conversation between him and the other end and he nodded.

“Sir—uh—he’s Blackwood,” one whispered.

“What?”

“His father owns the club,” one of the security men said and walked closer to them, helping Jade up.

Instead of dragging Lynn out, they helped Jade and his friends to the door, with no first aid and only muttering apologies.

Lynn stood there motionless, his chest rose and fell as his hands still curled like he wasn’t done yet.

Skye just stared. He had defended her tonight. It wasn't something she was used to.

A slight smile was plastered on her face. Maybe she would try to sign up for the Big Brother ‘thingy’ after all. And somehow, she still couldn't look away from him.

He turned to her finally, taking her hands for the first time since they met. His hand was soft like he held an egg—for someone who just broke a man’s bones.

Skye's deep blue-grey pupils danced as adrenaline rushed.

His voice was low and calm, “You okay?”

She nodded, her cheeks still hot. “Y-yeah.”

He smirked faintly and led her to the comfy couch in the V.VIP spot holding her sweaty palm.

Finally, his raw and unfiltered attention was on her, like heat against her skin.

Butterflies in her belly flew around as her joy grew.

Lynn's low voice broke her internal jubilation, “You wanna leave?”

“Huh?” Her eyes widened. How could she? When Lynn was finally given the attention she had craved? “No. I'm good,” she smiled.

Lynn turned to his friends again and Skye panicked that she needed to keep him busy with her.

She tapped on his shoulder slightly as they sat side by side.

“Uh… no. “I’m uncomfortable,” she whispered again.

He looked down at her face, leaning closer, “But you don’t wanna go home,” he said, a small smirk tugging at his lip.

He knew, she didn't have to say it.

She looked away, her cheeks burning with the heat of guilt. “Yeah.”

He turned to his friends, one brow lifted.

And without a word, they smiled, instantly catching his thoughts.

Skye's eyes squinted, lost.

In this table she was the newcomer, for sure she wouldn't understand their code language.

“Somewhere quiet, are you sure?” Lynn asked her.

She hesitated, then nodded.

With Lynn what could ever go wrong? She thought.

A few moments later, they were following two waiters carrying silver trays of drinks through a dark corridor.

The noise of the main club faded behind them as they took steps lower.

The underground room was cold, slightly red, and as the door shut, the silence hit also.

A wide couch arranged in a circle and a small table at the center. There were no windows and the place looked airtight as even the door seemed to have disappeared into the wall—it was red in theme with the rest of the room.

“What is this place?” Skye whispered inaudibly.

“Lynn sat first, then Skye followed like his shadow, and Anna next to her, and then Brian at the opposite part of the circle facing them with one other guy, and a girl who seemed like his girlfriend—Bob and Nora.

Bob leaned forward and grinned. “Let’s play,” he muttered.

“Damn…” Lynn smirked and Anna’s eyes glittered.

Skye blinked in utter confusion, “Huh?” Play what?

No one answered. They were all looking at each other like they knew something she didn’t.

The air felt heavier with unspoken communication and Skye sank deeper into the couch nervously.

She swallowed, clutching her wine glass. “What… are we playing?” She whispered, staring nervously at Lynn.

He flashed a reassuring smile but still no word. Somehow, it made her a bit comfortable but still curious.

She forced a smile also.

Anna spread her arms in the air joyfully, “Let's play…y'all know the rule,” she giggled.

“Swipe to the… Right! Yes right,” Nora clapped, sitting up. “Skip the truth, you kiss your next, skip the dare you take a shot.”

Skye gulped as she slowly turned right to Lynn.

She was between the Bisexual Anna and Lynn.