Chapter 6
Chapter 6
The balcony of the Blackwell Grand Hotel overlooked a city alive with wealth, secrets, and power plays. Alex stood with a glass of wine in hand, the chilled night air brushing against his skin. Beside him, Zoe leaned in, her arms draped around his waist as if she were staking a claim.
“How long do you plan on playing this game?” He asked.
Zoe chuckled softly, her lips brushing against his ear. “It’s getting very interesting, Alexander. Don’t ruin the fun.”
He hummed, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, his eyes fixed on the horizon. His thoughts drifted to the server girl.
“I can’t believe she agreed so quickly,” Zoe said, breaking into his thoughts.
“I told you, she’s a Turner,” Alex replied, his tone dismissive.
Zoe tilted her head, her blonde hair cascading over her shoulder as she studied him. “Seriously, babe, bribing her with money should be considered cheating. Where’s the challenge in that?”
Alex turned his head slightly, giving her a sharp glance. “No rules against it, Zoe. And what did you expect? That I’d sweet- talk her into a date? Casual conversation with her is painful enough. I offered what Turners are slaves to-the one thing they respond to.” His lips curled into a smirk. “And like the perfect bait, she took it.”
Zoe shivered, but not from the cold. Her smile widened, her eyes glittering with mischief. “God, babe, your hatred for them gives me chills. I mean, I get it. You should hate them, but… it’s not like the whole family wronged you. Her brother was the only one who got involved with Julian.”
Alex’s expression hardened, his sharp jawline tightening. His voice was cold and deliberate. “And what is her brother, Zoe?”
“A Turner,” she whispered with a wicked smile, clearly pleased with his reaction. “But babe, I have to admit-watching you squirm every time you talk about her makes this game so much more entertaining. Your pain and discomfort? Pure gold.”
Alex didn’t respond. He drained the rest of his wine and turned his gaze back to the city, his thoughts darker than the night sky.
Mia stood behind the bar at Casa Lounge, wiping down glasses and trying to ignore the twisting in her stomach. It had been two days since she’d last seen Alexander Blackwell, and she wasn’t sure if the relief or disappointment was stronger.
His message still lingered in her mind, taunting her.
Three dates. Five thousand per
date.
It wasn’t normal. Nothing about it was normal. What kind of man paid that much money for a date? Who even pays for a date?
She paused mid-wipe, her reflection in the glass catching her attention. She didn’t need this kind of chaos in her life.
The door to Casa Lounge swung open. Mia turned her head and froze.
Alexander Blackwell
He wasn’t alone. His two friends, Lucas and Sam, flanked him, laughing at something she couldn’t hear. But Alex’s gaze was locked on her the moment he entered the bar.
Mia felt her heart lurch in her chest, and her hands gripped the counter to keep herself steady. She couldn’t move. She couldn’t look away. He was walking toward her, his dark, commanding presence drawing the eyes of everyone in the lounge.
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Chapter 6
Her throat went dry as he closed the distance between them.
“Tomorrow after work,” Alex said, his voice low and smooth. “I’ll pick you up.”
That was it. No explanation, no pleasantries. Just a statement delivered with absolute confidence.
Before Mia could find her voice, he turned and walked to the back corner of the lounge, where his friends were already settling into a booth.
Mia exhaled sharply, her grip on the counter tightening. Her knees felt like jelly, and she was sure her face was flushed.
“What was that about?” Emily, her coworker, whispered from behind her, nudging her with an elbow.
“Nothing,” Mia said quickly, her voice shaky.
Emily raised an eyebrow. “Nothing? That was Alexander Blackwell. He doesn’t just walk up to people, Mia.”
“Drop it,” Mia muttered, focusing on the glass in her hand. But her heart was pounding so hard it felt like it might leap out
of her chest.
She glanced over at the booth where Alex sat with his friends. He didn’t look her way again, laughing at something his friend had said, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that he was completely aware of her every move.
Oh God what did I get myself into…..
