8. Adriana

Chapter eight

Adriana

"Kat, I need some help here," I say, pouring shots.

The club is filled tonight. Friday nights are always like this. Strippers, barely clothed, are on the pole dancing to the sounds of electronic dance music from the speakers.

Everyone seems to be having fun. Well, everyone except me.

Kat and I are stuck behind the bar table, serving shots to the customers. My ears are almost bleeding out from the deafening sounds in the club. The crowd looks like they are enjoying themselves, swaying their bodies to the rhythm of the music.

"Diana, I'm coming," she replies. I slide four more shot cups, hastily pouring whiskey into them. She is handling payments for the orders.

Out here, I'm Diana. And I work with Kat at the Marquee Oak nightclub on Eighth Avenue, downtown New York City.

Actually, I live with Kat. She has been the only person I've gotten along with since I ran away from home.

It's been a month now. I sometimes regret leaving. There's comfort in the chaos you're born into. And I miss Beatrice. I want to call or text her but I don't want to get her into trouble. If I ever go back it'd be for her.

"Babe." Kat taps my arm.

She interrupts my thoughts. "Yeah?"

"The cup's full," she points.

"Argh… fuck," I say, stopping myself. The owner of the shot is already too drunk on his feet. His attention is on the lady dancing in front of him.

"Are you okay? It's only a few minutes past midnight."

"I'm so sorry." I grab a towel to dry the table.

"Just don't let the boss see yah," Kat whispers. Her British accent is very rich, as is the way she pronounces her words.

"Two margaritas and a Martini, please," a lady orders.

I let go of the wet towel to grab the drinks to mix for her order. Kat stops me with her finger raised.

"I'll take care of this one."

I mutter a thank you, my arms feeling tired from serving shots. Kat walks to the wine rack. I clean up the last drop of the whiskey I spilled.

"Hey, Blondie," the lady says.

"Hi?" I say awkwardly. I always have the most awkward conversations with customers around here.

"My friend over there thinks you're really cute."

She points to a tall, dark-haired guy standing a few feet away from us.

His green eyes are staring at us. He smiles, bringing a beer bottle to his mouth.

"Thank you," I reply, staring back at her.

She has really heavy makeup on, with prominent dark lines around her eyes. She's wearing a black mini skirt with a matching bra.

"Come have some fun with us."

Kat walks back with a bottle of gin, tequila and vermouth. She looks at me with the side of her eye as she pulls out martini glasses and begins to mix the drinks, making a martini first.

She has her orange hair in a bob cut. The roots are black. Her face is round with a septum nose ring and a tiny, heart-shaped tattoo on the side of her neck.

"I'm sorry but I have a ton of work to do," I answer.

"Come on, it's just for a few minutes," the stranger insists.

"I-"

"Run along, D. Have some fun. I'll cover for you," Kat cuts. I stare at her to be sure it's okay.

"Have a little fun, girl!" Kat adds. She has a mini jean skirt with net leggings on and a black crop top.

"Alright. Just five minutes."

"Just five," the stranger smiles. Her smile shows off the deep dimples on both her cheeks.

I clean my hands with another dry towel, rubbing my hands on my blue jeans afterward.

"You might want a shot first," Kat suggests. She is done with the stranger's order and hands it over to her.

"We're over there," the stranger says with the drinks in her hand.

"She'll be with you in a sec." Kat quickly pours me a shot of vodka.

"You can't seriously want to hang out with that hottie for just five fucking minutes, Diana."

I take a gulp of the shot. The sting on my tongue causes me to make a face.

"I've got work to do, Kat." I drop the glass, wanting one more.

"Bullshit! You, my friend, are in dire need of some good time. Fuck around for once, for Christ fucking sake."

"Chris is on his way already. Your shift's almost over anyway." She pours me another shot.

My hands get sweaty as I nervously pick up the shot.

"Free yourself tonight. You'll regret it if you don't." Kat adjusts my shirt, unbuttoning the top buttons. She tosses my hair down my shoulder, freeing the bun. The whiskey starts to hit.

"Alright," I nod. I walk out of the bar section into the crowd.

A sweaty smell wafts in the air, with a strong presence of alcohol and weed. It almost makes me choke.

I spot the lady with her friends. Two ladies and three guys are at the left end of the club.

Today had to be the worst day to pick out blue jeans and a black cropped shirt as my outfit. I don't feel sexy enough with the crappy outfit.

"Hey you," the stranger says as she pulls me closer into her group. "Guys, this is..."

"Diana."

"Yeah, Diana. And this is Trish, Quinn, Dave, Jay, and Regan," she says, pointing at each of them.

The group pays attention to me for only a moment, nodding a greeting just before resuming their dance, except for Regan.

Trish is grinding Jay as they both dance to the music. I notice the matching tattoos on their arms. They must be a thing.

Quinn has her drink in her hand as she talks with Jay and Dave.

Regan runs his eyes up and down my body. His stare feels familiar. The intensity. And his beautiful green eyes. He isn't as muscular as Alessandro; he has a slender figure.

I hate that I keep doing this all the time. Always comparing the men I meet around here to the one person I want to have nothing to do with. But not tonight.

"Hey, Diana," Regan smirks.

"Regan, right?"

"Yeah. But I'll let you call me whatever you want."

A smile plays on my lips. Almost the first one today.

My afternoon was messed up at the store when my card kept getting declined as I tried to pay for some groceries.

The group slowly dissolves, with just the two of us closer now. His arm is firm on my waist, making my skin tingle a little.

I haven't been this close to any man since I ran away from home. I've been more focused on work. I owe Kat a shitload of cash.

"How about we head to the toilet," Regan whispers in my ear.

A portion of his lower lip is in between his teeth. His eyes are seductive, with an unmistakable desire in them.

His dark blue shirt fits his slender body. He matches it with dark jeans. A few strands of his dark brown hair fall on his face.

"Try to keep up," I reply, taking the first step. I want to ?no, I must? free my thoughts from Alessandro once and for all; and this could be my opportunity to do so.

I walk to the restroom with Regan following behind.

He has his hands on me the moment we reach a less quiet space just before the restroom's door.

I taste his lips with a greedy need and an electric anticipation gushing through my veins.

He isn't slow with his lips on mine. I moan into his mouth as he presses into me. I can feel him hard already.

His tongue takes my mouth like a damn quest and he searches for answers with every stroke, intensely exploring me.

It's almost like his.

Shit . Stop it, Adriana!

I hold his shirt in a full fist, tilting my head to deepen the kiss.

I need Regan to make me forget about that asshole and how his mouth perfectly fits with mine. And all the things he does with that tongue of his.

Fuck. I need something more than this.

I run my fingers down his back, then over his shoulders, till I reach his lower half and tease his erection.

He groans into me. A hot sound. We are both out of breath when he breaks the kiss. I feel a wet hotness on my lips. I glide my tongue around the spot, tasting something different.

Blood.

"You're so beautiful, Diana," Regan says before we resume the kiss again.

His tongue isn't the only thing exploring a part of me. His hands join the quest and he presses my back against the wall and trails his fingers on my body.

I'm distracted by his touch, thinking about Alessandro instead. He isn't even around and he somehow finds a way to ruin this night for me. I keep feeling his mouth on mine.

No.

"No!" I have no idea that I said that out loud but I push Regan away.

His brows are curved inward as he stops to stare at me. He looks both confused and concerned.

"Did I do something wrong?'

I shake my head in response. "No. No. I just, ehm... I need some air, please."

I squeeze my eyes shut for a second, trying to gather my thoughts.

I fucking hate what he has done to me. I hate Alessandro.

"I'm so sorry," I add, leaving him on the spot.

I squeeze myself through the crowd to the front door. The cold midnight breeze sweeps across my face, swaying a few strands in its direction.

I take a deep breath, letting it out as loud as I can.

"Fuck, Adriana," I whisper to myself.

I flinch as I feel a hand on me.

"Easy, baby girl." A crooked laugh follows behind me.

I turn to see a drunken man and I'm in his path. I give way to him, not wanting to engage myself with this stranger. Not after what happened inside. The street is almost empty, with just a few people walking.

"Don't be like that."

His breath reeks of beer as he moves unsteadily, trying to get closer to me. I ignore him as I try to leave for the club again.

His arms grab me unexpectedly with a firm hold.

"I tried to be nice, bitch," he grunts.

"Let go of me!" I scream, struggling to free my arm from his grip.

He squeezes tighter until it starts to hurt.

"Fucking whore." His last word comes out slurred.

"Let go of me!"

He is muscular and very strong.

Fucking hell. I jab at him with a few kicks but he doesn't budge as he pulls me closer and slaps me hard in the face.

"Help! Someone, please help me," I cry out.

He pulls me closer until I'm breathing in his bad breath. His hands on me make me cringe and want to puke so bad.

"Let go of her," a commanding, deep voice seethes.

I don't see who it is but I'm grateful he is around.

"Fuck off," the drunkard says.

A fist connects to his face without warning. He lets go of me instantly.

"Adriana?"

I stare up to see a familiar face. This must be a nightmare.

"How?" I pause for a moment. It doesn't look real. He isn't real. I hope he isn't. Do I really though?

"He had his fucking hands all over you," he says, pissed.

I walk back away from him, stunned. But mostly shocked. I thought no one would ever find me here.

"Adriana, fucking answer me."

After having felt that moment of gratefulness though, I'm filled with an instant surge of irritation. My eyes narrow as I clench my jaws tight, shooting icy glares at him.

"Stay the fuck away from me!"

I run into the clubhouse, full of disbelief.

The realization hits me hard and the stupid music does nothing to distract me.

My past is crawling back to me and my worst nightmare is here—outside.

Alessandro is here.