Chapter 35

THIRTY-FIVE

SALEM

I sat at my vanity, the soft hum of music playing on my speakers. With careful precision, I applied my makeup, each stroke of the brush a small act of defiance against the looming threat that hung over me.

Tonight was Zoe's birthday, and it had been marked on my calendar for weeks. She was one of the dancers at Onyx, and despite the risk of danger, I refused to let fear dictate my actions.

Sure, it probably wasn't the wisest decision to go out when my father was hunting me like a wolf on the prowl. But Onyx wasn't the type of place where he would be caught dead. It was far beneath his style, and far beneath his notice.

Still, I took precautions. A blonde wig disguised my appearance, transforming me into someone unrecognizable, someone safe from prying eyes. As I worked on my makeup, blending shadows and highlights with practiced ease, a voice broke through my room, shattering my concentration.

"And just where do you think you're going?" Lennox demanded, his presence looming in the doorway.

I rolled my eyes. "It's Zoe's birthday," I replied, my tone clipped. "I've already been a shit friend and not seen her in months. I won't miss her party."

Lennox raised a disapproving eyebrow, his expression skeptical. "A party at a strip club?" he said dryly.

I scoffed, unable to suppress a smirk. "Oh please, as if you can judge," I shot back, my words dripping with sarcasm. "You own half of them."

He held up his hands in a placating gesture, smiling affectionately. "I wouldn't dream of it. But I think I'll tag along."

I opened my mouth to argue, but he cut me off before I could protest. "Just how do you think I found out about this little adventure?" he said, amusement dancing in his eyes. "Fallon isn't feeling up to going out, but like fuck are you going alone."

I sighed, knowing there was no point in arguing with him. Lennox had always been fiercely protective of me, a fact that both comforted and infuriated me in equal measure.

"Fine," I relented, resignation heavy in my voice. "But you better not cramp my style."

He chuckled. The sound echoed in the stillness of the room. "Wouldn't dream of it," he replied, a smirk teasing his lips.

An hour later, our car rolled to a stop in front of Onyx, the club where I had once worked. As we stepped out onto the pavement, memories flooded back, each step a reminder of the life I had left behind.

The neon sign above flickered in the night, casting an otherworldly glow over the bustling street. I hesitated. The sounds of laughter and music spilled out from the club like a siren's call. It was both familiar and foreign, a place where I had once belonged, now transformed by time and distance.

With a deep breath, I pushed open the door, steeling myself for the chaos and excitement that awaited within. The pulsing beat of music reverberated through the air, setting the stage for the night's debauchery.

Onyx had changed since the last time I was here. It was nicer, cleaner, the dimly lit interior transformed into a seductive playground for the city's elite. But despite the upscale renovations, the club still retained its gritty charm The air was thick with anticipation and desire.

I made my way through the crowd, the familiar sights and sounds washing over me. I scanned the room, and my gaze soon landed on Zoe, who was perched at the bar, a radiant smile lighting up her face as she caught sight of us. With a squeal of excitement, she bounded over, her arms outstretched.

"Salem!" she exclaimed, enveloping me in a tight hug. "You're here! And blonde!"

I returned her hug, a warmth spreading through me at the sight of her infectious enthusiasm. "Happy birthday, Zoe," I said, pulling back to look at her. "I wouldn't miss it for the world."

She beamed at me, her eyes shining with excitement. "Thank you!" She turned to look at Lennox. "And who's this handsome stranger?"

I grinned, feeling a flood of pride at the sight of him standing beside me. "Zoe, this is Lennox," I introduced. "He's… mine."

Lennox extended his hand, a wry smile threatening to bloom on his lips at my introduction. "Pleasure to meet you, Zoe," he said, his voice as smooth as silk.

Zoe shook his hand eagerly as her smile widened. "Likewise!" she replied, her excitement palpable.

With introductions out of the way, we made our way to the bar, the sounds of the club swirling around us. I caught the bartender's eye and ordered a round of drinks, clinking filling the air as we raised our glasses in a toast.

"To Zoe!" I exclaimed, a note of celebration in my voice. "May your birthday be as fabulous as you are!"

Zoe giggled, her cheeks flushed as she clinked her glass against mine. "To me!" she echoed.

It felt good to be surrounded by friends as we sipped our drinks. The night wore on, music and laughter ringing in our ears. I knew that I had needed this—a night out with my old friends. The only thing that could have made it better would have been having Fallon by my side.

The girls from the club greeted me with smiles and nods as I joined them on one of the stages, the lights casting an ethereal glow over our bodies as we danced in perfect synchrony. My silver dress inched up my body as I moved, leaving my legs fully on display.

"So good to see you, Salem!" one of them exclaimed over the thumping bass, her voice barely audible above the music.

"Missed you, girl!" another chimed in, twirling gracefully beside me.

The music pulsed through my veins, igniting a fire within me that burned brighter with each passing moment.

Zoe was over at the bar, a radiant smile lighting up her face as she enjoyed birthday shots with her boyfriend. Lennox sat with some men in one of the booths, his gaze fixed on me with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine.

"Enjoying the view, Lennox?" I called out, a playful smirk on my face.

He chuckled, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Always, Salem," he replied.

As the night progressed, liberation immersed me, each movement on the stage a release of pent-up tension and excitement. The familiar rush I always felt when I danced had returned, even after my time away from the stage. With every twirl and sway, the weight of the world lifted from my shoulders, replaced by euphoric freedom and empowerment.

"Yes, girl, you're killing it up there!" Zoe called out, raising her shot glass in salute.

I grinned, feeling the warmth of her words wash over me like a comforting embrace. "You should join us!" I shouted back, the sound lost in the roar of the crowd.

The pounding rhythm of the music filled my ears, drowning out the world around me as I lost myself to the dance. Sensually twirling around one of the stage poles, I let my body move in sync with the pulsating beat, each movement an expression of desire and defiance.

With my eyes closed, I surrendered to the music. The air was thick with the scent of sweat and perfume, the heat of the crowd pressing in on me from all sides.

When my eyes fluttered open, the scene before me had changed. The final remnants of the crowd were shuffling out through the front door, leaving the club eerily empty. The once bustling room now lay deserted save for one figure standing at the base of the stage.

Lennox.

A heated look burned in his eyes as he watched me, his gaze tracing the curves of my body with a primal hunger.

"What the hell, Lennox?" I exclaimed, my voice echoing in the empty space. "Where did everyone go?"

He stepped forward, his movements slow and deliberate. "I sent them away."

My heart pounded as I took a step toward him. "You can't do that!" I protested, my voice rising with frustration.

But he only chuckled, the sound heating me from within. "Actually, I can. I bought this dump after that first night watching you dance," he informed, his tone laced with amusement.

My mind reeled with disbelief as his words sunk in. "You did what?" I exclaimed, unable to conceal the shock in my voice.

He repeated himself, his gaze never leaving mine. "I bought the club."

My head spun with the implications of his words. ″You can't just send them away, Lennox! It's Zoe's birthday."

He nodded, a smirk teasing his lips. "That's right," he said, his voice low and husky. "It is, but Zoe was more than happy to trade this in for an all-expenses paid party in Sin City."

My jaw dropped in disbelief at his words. "You sent the whole party to Las Vegas? Why?"

A sly smile tugged at his mouth as he stepped closer, his proximity sending a flush of heat coursing through my veins. "Because I wanted you all to myself," he said, his voice a seductive whisper.

Before I could protest, he took my wrist in his hand, his touch sending sparks of electricity dancing across my skin. "Now, come with me," he said, his voice rough with desire.

With a mixture of trepidation and excitement, I allowed him to pull me from the stage and lead me toward the back of the club.