Chapter 3

With a nod of acquiescence, Jo accepted his father’s decree, his resolve hardening with each passing moment. He would take this woman as his own, by force if need be, and make her his wife.

But as the conversation turned to the matter of a debt owed, Jo’s thoughts drifted to darker territory. There were debts to be settled and alliances to be forged, and he would stop at nothing to ensure his family’s power remained unchallenged.

***

Kai barged into Chloe’s apartment, throwing her makeup bags on the table along with a bag of fast food. The smell was intoxicating; it was fried noodles from the Asian restaurant down the street, the best takeout in town. Just the smell alone could make you close your eyes and lick your lips, tasting it.

“Chloe, how far are you now?” Kai demanded, jumping onto her bed and collapsing into the pillows.

“I am drying my hair, Kai. How about some food? You can feed me while I dry my hair,” Chloe giggled as she emerged from the bathroom with a towel wrapped around her body and a bun in her hair, staring at it as water dripped down.

With the hairdryer on, Kai fed Chloe one bite at a time, taking a bite for herself. They never thought it would be weird to share food like that; even the saliva was not something to freak out about. Chloe finished her hair, letting it loose with waves in them. Kai ran her hands through Chloe’s hair and gave it a bounce, laughing.

“Chloe, you need to cut the dry points, or it will never grow past your ass cheeks.” Laughter filled the room.

Kai was dressed in a peach-colored dress, showing off her cleavage and thighs with her stilettos. Her hair was in a tight bun, and Chloe always mocked her, saying she looked like a ballerina with that bun – a strong, sophisticated woman. Her makeup was dark, with red lips, making her green eyes stand out.

Chloe knew she had to dress to shine when she went out with Kai; they were partners in crime, after all. She glanced over and took a dress out of the closet, along with some ankle boots with heels. Standing in front of the mirror, she admired her reflection; she was a goddess.

“Gosh, Chloe, you look amazing and hot. This dress shows your cleavage so much; any man will want to bury his face between them,” Kai said, giving a playful slurp to let the drool fall from her lips. Then she patted the bed, gesturing for Chloe to sit.

She was about to do her makeup: red lips with cat eye liner, and the rest she kept natural. She did not need makeup to try to look beautiful.

A hooter was pressed outside; the girls hung out the window to see the Uber driver arrive. They ran down the stairs like little schoolgirls, all excited, and jumped into the car. The car ride was filled with chatter; the Uber driver spoke with them about the places around here and how dangerous they were.

This was the girls’ first time in this part of town, dark and gloomy, with the street lights making it look misty. The vibe was dark, but the girls didn’t care; they were ready for drinks, dancing, and grinding.

The night beckoned with promises of mystery and allure as Chloe and Kai stepped out of the Uber, the pulsating bass of the club’s music already vibrating through their bones. The neon lights bathed the street in an eerie crimson glow, casting long shadows that seemed to dance in time with the music. That’s when the Uber stopped. Their eyes widened as they leaned over to the front seat. This club looked amazing. There was a long line outside waiting to get in, and the bouncers were two sizes taller than the girls.

“Umm… Kai, how are we going to enter? The line is so long; we could have brought sleeping bags,” Chloe said with laughter.

“I got this. Wait and see.”

Tipping the Uber driver, they took his number to fetch them when they were done and ready. He made them feel safe.

Chloe’s outfit hugged her curves in all the right places: a sleek black dress that left little to the imagination, paired with stiletto heels that accentuated her long legs. Her hair cascaded down her back in loose waves, adding to her air of effortless sensuality.

Kai, by her side, was a vision of confidence and allure herself. Her outfit was equally daring, a red dress that clung to her curves, the fabric shimmering in the dim light. Her long hair fell in waves around her shoulders, framing her face like a halo.

As they approached the entrance, Chloe couldn’t shake the feeling of unease that settled in the pit of her stomach. This club was rumored to be owned by the mafia, and stories of possessive men and dangerous liaisons whispered through the city like a dark secret.

But despite the warnings, Chloe and Kai were drawn to the promise of excitement and adventure that awaited them inside. With a shared glance, they exchanged knowing smiles and stepped through the heavy doors, the thumping bass enveloping them like a lover’s embrace.

Inside, the club was a world unto itself, bathed in red light that lent an air of seduction to everything it touched. The air was thick with the scent of perfume and sweat, and the dance floor pulsed with bodies moving in perfect synchrony with the music.

As they made their way deeper into the club, Chloe couldn’t help but feel the weight of eyes on her, the gaze of possessive men lingering on her like a physical touch. But she pushed aside her unease, determined to lose herself in the intoxicating rhythm of the night.

The club was a den of temptation and danger, and she couldn’t help but wonder what secrets lurked in the shadows, waiting to ensnare the unsuspecting.