Sierra

H iding within the shadows, I hold my breath as I watch Julian disappear. I'm not sure how long I stay here, completely baffled by what the fuck just happened. I had made sure everything was going according to plan, the houses next door were either empty or the jammer that Ry provided me with was able to block any call that may be attempted. I wasn't prepared for company, for a masked man to break into the home and commit the murder I was looking forward to all night. I sure as fuck wasn't expecting it to be Julian Dominguez.

I knew he was dangerous; I knew his family was the fucking Mexican Cartel, I knew befriending Catalina would be a risk but she's kind and makes me feel like I finally have a sister, one that I never had growing up. What I would have given to have that sort of ally when I was a kid, maybe then I wouldn't have felt desperate for my mother's love.

The curiosity on who the masked man got the better of me, as I followed close behind making sure I was as quiet as a mouse as he walked from room to room until he made it up the stairs. The excitement that flowed through my body as I heard the piercing screams grew louder and louder until they faded away like a distant memory. I silently went upstairs and watched for just a moment as Franklin was stabbed over and over again by the masked man.

I could barely see him, but I could tell by the way his clothes moved against his body that he was built like a Greek God underneath his black hoodie. The way he handled that blade caused my panties to dampen, the wet spot would have been completely evident if I hadn't worn black.

Just the fact that I was wet watching something so depraved scared me, so I did what I should have done the moment I saw him sneak inside, I walked away.

But I stayed close by, hidden in the dark to see just a glimpse of who that man could be.

My hands are trembling from the revelation, my body on fucking fire that seems to have spread directly to my aching pussy. It was as if I were drowning in a red haze of lust as I continued seeing the way he gauged a hole inside his prey. Which is fucking crazy, crazy how even now I shakingly caress my body, my own black sweater blocking me from my pale skin and yet my feather touch has me needing more. His laugh echoes in my mind, the shiver that goes down my spine breaks me out of my lust.

What the fuck.

I don't stay in the shadows a second longer. I quickly walk away from the worn-out house of Franklin Green. The kill that was supposed to be mine, but was stolen from me by the very demon I despise. My body doesn't seem to understand the hatred I have for that man, or maybe it's time to try and be with someone, just fuck some random stranger and be done with it.

Each time I've attempted to, I'm triggered and wind up back inside that prison of my abductors.

Exhaling loudly, I start my walk to my Jeep. There's not a moment of silence in this city, the sound of cars passing, and the buzzing of the street lights fill the otherwise silent stroll. Looking up for just a moment, I admire the stars in the night sky as I take a few deep breaths in and out. The breeze allows me to control the rapid beating of my heart, and cools the burning sensation that still remains on my skin from that very confusing incident .

I think it's time to try going to the Temple. I have yet to experience the exclusive night club. I miss having been able to freely have a night with a man without being trapped in my own mind. But with how my body keeps reacting, it may just be time to give it a try.

Standing in front of the old Cathedral, I give myself a moment to collect my nerves before I open the entrance. The building has a lot of the old framework that is unique to the Cathedral it once was, with some modern additions made. The main level appears to be like any night club, with a stage for what looks like performances on the pole and two bars on each side.

Single women enter free of charge, on the main level only. Only members can invite you to the higher levels, after you sign an NDA. I'm not sure if I'll be able to go through with any of it tonight but I can try.

There's no way this reaction I get is to the fucking demon. It's clear he's just haunting me just to fucking spite me and that in itself is annoying enough.

The smell of roses and the ocean surrounds me as I walk inside the beautiful building, the décor reminds me of being either in Greece or Italy, one of those exotic European countries, not that I've ever been but I imagine it would look like this. The guard by the entrance waits for me to step inside, after I've momentarily stayed frozen admiring the beauty of the building.

"Do you have a membership?" he asks, his tall demeanor is completely intimidating when he glances at me from the computer in front of him.

"No…" I hesitate. "Just here for singles night."

"Please sign the screen for the NDA. Once you've entered, you must be invited by a member to visit any other levels. There is a two-drink limit at the bar, this bracelet tracks the drinks and what member you pair with and what level you enter. If you decide to become a member, you can keep the bracelet, otherwise it is returned when you leave." I nod, as he goes over more rules about conduct and I sign the little machine that is stationed in front of me. He quickly makes his way around the front desk and removes the rope from the entrance. "Welcome to the Temple."

It's as if an angel sang the moment I stepped forward and towards the bar. I know I'll need a drink or both of them in order to keep myself in check while I prowl for someone to fuck, or attempt to.

"Tequila, straight. Please," I tell the very handsome man behind the bar; his blond hair and blue eyes make him look like he just came out of a movie. He smiles softly and grabs the tall bottle of Corralejo, it's one of the best tequilas that I've had. We rarely ever have it in stock at the Butterfly because it's always so popular.

He hands me the glass and scans the bracelet resting on my right hand as I fidget with the other to grab some cash. Once I've placed the money on the bar, I am finally able to wrap my fingers around the cold glass, the tequila is room temperature but the glass has been chilled to perfection with a large single circular ice cooling the liquid.

Droplets surround the glass as I hold on to the drink, contemplating whether or not I can go through with sleeping with someone that I do not know.

Will I be taken back to that night?

I have yet to try, and it only scares me more that I will lose control and kill the man for just touching me. Exhaling, I bring the cool glass to my lips and swallow the clear liquid allowing it to fill me with warmth for just a moment.

"Hey beautiful," says a voice to my left, his voice sounds a little too high pitched for my liking when it comes to a man. His golden hair is slicked back with way too much mousse or hairspray that it almost looks like it was glued on and his mute gray eyes scream desperation and money.

I nod, acknowledging his words without making any attempt at small talk. I don't want to speak further with this creepy looking fuck. I bring my eyes back towards my glass, taking another large swallow of the alcohol hoping the burn in my throat lingers just a little longer before it disappears.

"Are you mute? Or are you just a rude little fucking whore?" He seethes after a moment of just hovering over where I sit. I can see the moment he reaches for me; his proximity causes me to flinch before a tremble spreads my body in fear.

All it took was a second for me to be back in chains, being held down and used as if I were nothing but a little play thing.

"Leave me alone," I stutter, crossing my arms around my chest and shielding myself as best as I can, hoping that he listens.

"Come on, bitch. Let me take you downstairs," he says, reaching for me again. I am fucking tempted to break his neck but, I can't. I'm in public. I fucking can't.

"I'm pretty sure the lady said to leave her the fuck alone," says the hoarse voice with a hint of a Spanish accent piercing through.

I turn to find light whiskey eyes of a demon glaring at me as if I had created the worst crime by being in this very bar. Of course, he would be here. His death glare goes to the man next to me, readying himself to kill him on the spot, the subtle reminder of having witnessed him kill a man already today breaches my mind. My panties dampen underneath my navy blue dress the tight fabric is causing my breathing to go rapid as Julian fucking Dominguez forces that creeper to walk away.

It doesn't take long after he disappears that Julian turns back to me; his hardened stare stays on my face.

"What the fuck are you doing here, Mu?eca?" he says through gritted teeth. I can't fucking escape this demon, and yet there just seems to be a part of me that is enjoying getting under his skin a little more than I should and a part of me wants him to chase after me.