Chapter 6 Vengeful Fun

The night had officially turned into chaos, and I was thriving on it.

"What happened?" Ally intercepted me halfway across the bar, eyes flickering with concern.

I tossed my hair back, straightening my dress. "Oh, not much. Just little rich boy throwing a tantrum because someone bruised his oversized ego. Now I mean business."

Ally's eyes widened in mock alarm. "Ooooh, Celeste, when you get like this, I start worrying."

I stopped dead in my tracks and gave her the most incredulous look. "Really now?"

She doubled over in laughter. "No! I LOVE when you get like this. This is going to be the highlight of my evening."

I smirked, shaking my head. "Thought as much."

Turning back toward the VIP section, I caught sight of Leo storming back in, scanning the crowd like a predator on the hunt. His eyes locked onto me, and something dangerous flashed in them.

Gotchya, you rat bastard.

I glanced at Ally one last time. "One more thing-no matter where I go, you go. Got it?"

This time, she looked genuinely serious. "Celeste-"

"Promise me."

She sighed but nodded. "Yes, okay. I promise."

Satisfied, I gave her a quick smile before sauntering back toward the blonde Adonis called Daniel of whom I had been sitting with earlier. He was still draped in female attention, but that didn't concern me. I slid right onto his lap, ignoring the glares from the women who had been fawning over him.

He raised a brow at me, slightly surprised but clearly not displeased. I leaned in close, whispering something in his ear. At first, his expression darkened, then he smirked. His hand came up to my waist, gripping me like he owned me. I stroked his jawline, tilting his face up to meet mine, our lips hovering dangerously close. I wasn't actually going to kiss him-but Leo didn't need to know that.

Still, Daniel took his role seriously. He deepened the moment, his lips pressing against mine, starting soft, then rougher. I could taste the whiskey on his tongue, and for a split second, I was dizzy from more than just the alcohol.

But I had more important things to focus on.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Leo watching, and oh, he was SEETHING. His entire body tensed, looking like he was ready to kill. Dante grabbed his arm again, trying to hold him back, but Leo wasn't having it.

And then Leo was storming toward me.

I smirked against Daniel's lips and whispered something else in his ear. His brows furrowed, but then his entire demeanor shifted. He gently placed me on my feet and stood up, positioning himself like a damn knight ready to go to war.

Leo didn't stop. He tried stepping around him, but Daniel blocked his path. Again. And again. Like a game of chess where Leo was losing every damn round.

Dante and their bodyguard jumped in, and suddenly, the guy Ally had been sitting with, plus two other men from their group, joined Daniel's side. It was a full-blown standoff.

And then-

CRACK.

Daniel landed a clean punch right to Leo's jaw. I gasped, hand flying to my mouth, but internally? Oh god, that was satisfying to watch.

Ally and I latched onto each other, giggling like schoolgirls, and took this as our cue to GTFO.

We bolted from the VIP section, dodging security and weaving through the crowd until we reached the DJ stage. The bass rattled my bones, the lights flashing in dizzying neon colors.

Ally clutched my arm. "What the hell did you say to that guy?"

I burst into laughter, now fully slurring. "I told him that Leo was my obsessive ex. That I had a restraining order against him, and he wouldn't leave me alone."

Ally's jaw hit the floor. "Celeste. YOU DIDN'T."

I grinned wickedly. "I did. And then I told him if he protected me, he could have me all night long."

Ally full-on SCREAMED, grabbing my shoulders. "You evil little genius."

We howled with laughter, ignoring the chaos happening behind us. The VIP section was in full-blown war mode, but us? We were thriving.

Dancing, spinning, arms in the air, riding the high of the night. We climbed onto one of the podiums, bodies moving with the music, our dresses clinging to our curves. We were reckless.

We were untouchable.

Until we weren't.

One second, I was basking in my freedom. The next, a pair of strong hands gripped my thighs, and before I could react-I was THROWN over someone's shoulder.

Everything tilted. My stomach lurched. I shrieked, pounding my fists against a broad, muscular back.

"WHAT THE FUCK-PUT ME DOWN!"

Ally screamed beside me, but Dante grabbed her, too.

I twisted my head, and even through my blurred, drunken vision, I knew exactly who had me.

Leo.

His grip on my thighs was bruising, his body radiating fury. The heat of his skin burned through my dress. His jaw was tight, his eyes locked forward, his entire body vibrating with lethal rage.

"Leo, put me the fuck down!" I kicked my legs, but he held me like I weighed nothing.

He didn't say a word.

Didn't pause.

Didn't hesitate.

He stormed out of the club, dragging me into the unknown, and all I knew was-

I was so, so screwed.