Long, blonde hair had never been my thing. I looked utterly ridiculous in this hairstyle, but tonight I didn't have a choice. The wig itched against my scalp, and the clothes I was wearing weren't my style either. Black combat boots and a short, sleeveless white top transformed me into someone I didn't recognize.
Mike, with his shock of red hair, was dressed in a similar outfit—combat boots and a black T-shirt. The resemblance was uncanny; we actually looked like a couple. The whole situation struck me as absurdly hilarious.
The club was packed—loud music, flashing lights, bodies moving everywhere. We found seats on the second floor, tucked away by the balcony where we had a clear view of the dance floor. But I wasn't here to enjoy the party. My gaze instantly locked on a group lounging around the VIP table.
There he was.
Lucas—the charming snake who had been tormenting us—was laughing, drink in hand, clearly having the time of his life. Right next to him sat Felix. My Felix. The most beautiful man I'd ever known. But now, he looked broken, distant, staring blankly into the void, untouched by the noise and lights around him.
Two weeks had passed since that awful night. We hadn't come up with a plan, and I was beginning to lose hope. Then, out of nowhere, Sebastian had texted me. The cousins were heading to a club.
If they stuck to Felix like glue, I wouldn't have a chance. And I needed to take him tonight.
Yes, I know how that sounds. Kidnapping? Crazy.
Lucas suddenly looked up, eyes sweeping the upper floor. Shit.
I grabbed Mike by the collar of his shirt and stared into his eyes like we were lovers. He blinked at me, confused.
"Recall the golden years of your youth and look at me with love," I whispered, trying to keep a straight face, though it nearly made me laugh.
"Eve would murder you if she heard that," he muttered, amused.
"We can't just sit here. We're drawing attention anyway."
"Gee, I wonder why?" he replied dryly. "We look like circus rejects."
"Felix would say you look like a clown even without the costume," I shot back.
Mike scowled. "I've seen him lately. He wouldn't say that now."
I punched him in the shoulder. He let out a pained yelp.
Naturally, we caught Lucas's attention again.
"He probably thinks we're total idiots," I muttered.
"I swear you'll be home in a minute," I promised him. "You're embarrassing me."
"I've been a heartthrob since birth. What did you expect?"
I smacked his knee this time. Another yelp.
Lucas stood up.
Without thinking, I straddled Mike and wrapped my arms around him to hide our faces.
"I'm really uncomfortable," he grumbled.
"And you think I'm having fun?" I hissed. "Is he gone?"
He peeked over my shoulder. "Yeah. He went downstairs."
I stumbled off Mike's lap and tossed my wig hair back dramatically. People stared. Mike covered his face with a groan.
It was now or never.
I strutted toward the VIP table. Sebastian's eyes widened as he recognized me. He tried to keep a straight face, but the shock was obvious.
"I'd love to dance with this handsome man. Will you gentlemen let me?" I asked, pointing right at Felix.
Felix blinked, his eyes locking on mine. Disbelief crossed his face as he realized who I was.
"Didn't you just sit on that guy's lap a moment ago?" a bald man asked, his voice laced with suspicion.
I laughed, tilting my head toward Mike. "I'm a free spirit," I said, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. "I like playing with handsome guys. That one was a bit too naughty—he pushed me off his knees. I figured I'd try someone else."
Sebastian rolled his eyes and sipped his drink like he wanted to disappear.
"I'll dance with her," Felix said suddenly, standing up. "I'm not drinking anyway. Might as well do something fun."
Sebastian gave a signal, and the others shrugged, letting him go.
I took Felix's hand and led him toward the stairs. He kept glancing back at Mike.
"A traitor! Seductress!" Mike shouted after us in an overly dramatic voice. "Bitch!"
He was enjoying the role a little too much.
"Was that Mike?" Felix asked as we descended. "What are you planning?"
"Kidnapping you. Now or never."
He stared at me in disbelief as we reached the dance floor.
"Selena, do you realize what you're doing? If he finds out, he'll kill you. He doesn't tolerate betrayal."
"I know. But you have to get away from him. He's ruining your life. I want to help you, Felix. You deserve to be happy again."
I spotted Lucas watching us from the balcony. He'd definitely be curious about the girl who'd stolen his cousin. Thinking quickly, I turned to a blonde dancing nearby.
"I have a huge favor to ask. Could you dance with my guy for a few minutes? My ex is watching, and he can't see us together."
She looked thrilled and immediately sized up Felix.
"Absolutely. He's gorgeous."
I stepped back and watched her twirl toward him. Felix's expression twisted in mild horror as she started dancing up on him.
Sure enough, Lucas descended and stormed up to them. He grabbed the blonde by the arm and spun her around.
"I'll dance with her," Felix said coolly, standing his ground. "I want to have some fun."
Lucas narrowed his eyes. "I'll be watching. Ten minutes. Then I want you back."
"I'm not your prisoner," Felix muttered.
Lucas retreated upstairs. I quickly pulled Felix away from the blonde and dragged him to the far end of the dance floor.
Mike appeared out of nowhere, smiling.
"Good to see you again, man," he said, clapping Felix on the shoulder. "Luck's on our side tonight. I ran into a waitress who turned out to be an old friend—Hannah, your classmate." He turned to me. "She's in. She'll help us buy time."
"What's the plan?" Felix asked.
"She's tough. Lucas won't know what hit him. Now let's get out of here."
My heart pounded as we hurried toward the exit. I hated that we had dragged Hannah into this. I didn't want her hurt, either.
"Hey! Felix! Where are you going with her?" a voice shouted behind us.
I turned and froze. The bald guy.
"Run!" I yelled. "Felix, get on the bike with Mike!"
Our friend hadn't been supposed to get involved, but we'd had to tell her everything. She was fast—far better on a bike than I'd ever be. I jumped on behind her and held on tight.
Mike screeched out of the parking lot ahead of us, and we followed close behind.
This night would decide everything.
But deep down, I couldn't shake the feeling that it had all gone too well. Something bad was going to happen. I felt it.
*
From Lucas' perspective
The moment the dance floor dimmed and strobe lights scattered like shards of glass, something inside me snapped.
I couldn't see Felix anymore.
The girl he'd been dancing with—gone. The weird couple who had drawn my eye earlier—also gone. A prickling unease began to climb my spine, even though I couldn't explain why.
My brother loved to play the role of charming flirt. New York had proven that many times. But this… this wasn't that.
If he'd betrayed me—if, after all we talked about, he still dared to run—I would dismantle his entire world. And hers.
I turned, about to storm downstairs, when someone crashed into me, stumbling backward with a clatter of metal.
My nostrils flared. A waitress had dropped her tray at my feet, blinking up at me from the ground.
"I'm so sorry..." she stammered as she scrambled to her feet—and then our eyes met.
Time stilled.
A flash of memory seared through me like lightning: a girl on a bus, the two of us locking eyes as I tore past on my motorcycle. Her gaze had pierced me through the window like a bullet. I'd remembered her, though I never remembered anyone. Not like that.
And now she stood in front of me. Flesh and blood. Electricity stirred in my chest, raw and unwelcome.
"Watch where you're going," I snapped, trying to bury the strange feeling.
She raised a brow, brushing back a lock of hair. "You're one to talk. Maybe if you weren't strutting around like you own the place, I wouldn't have fallen."
I glared at her. "I don't have time for this."
As I tried to walk past, she grabbed me.
Grabbed me.
I froze, stunned that anyone would dare lay a hand on me, much less this mouthy little waitress.
"Listen, prince," she spat. "Just because I'm working here doesn't mean you get to treat me like garbage. Be a gentleman. Apologize."
I let out a sharp, bitter laugh.
"You're mistaking me for someone who gives a damn," I replied coldly, yanking my arm free.
But she followed me—still going.
"You've got the manners of a jackal," she muttered.
She was pushing her luck. Under normal circumstances, I'd enjoy a firecracker like her. But not tonight. Not now.
"Boss!" a voice shouted behind me. I turned to see my man, panting, eyes wild. "He ran! Felix took off with that girl—on a motorcycle!"
My blood froze.
"You useless bastard," I snarled, spinning on him. "You let him leave?"
I turned back to the waitress, catching the flicker of panic in her expression.
Gotcha.
"You helped them," I hissed, grabbing her wrist.
"What are you talking about? You bumped into me, remember?" she protested, trying to yank free. "You're insane!"
I wasn't listening.
"The games are over. You have no idea who you're dealing with," I growled, signaling to my man. "Check the cameras. Now. If you're good for anything, prove it."
Then I turned back to her.
"And you. You're coming with me."
She gaped. "What? Are you out of your damn mind? I'm working!"
But I didn't care. I threw her over my shoulder like a sack of weightless bones. She screamed, slapped my back, cursed me, called me every name in the book—but no one helped her.
Security saw me coming and parted like the Red Sea. They knew better.
If she'd played any part in this, she'd regret it for the rest of her short, miserable life.