Chapter 5 Dare accepted.

Julian's phone rang again, slicing through the haze of muffled music and tequila. He looked at the screen - Nick, again.

"Why don't you answer it or put it on silent already?" Isa complained, sliding off his lap, obviously annoyed by the interruption.

The room was half lit. The blue lights revealed a pole at the corner and a table with two glasses half filled and a bottle of tequila beside them.

Julian sighed and grasped the phone to answer.

"Can't you tell I'm busy? This better be important," he growled,his hand lazily tracing Isa's lines as he spoke. He owned her – body and soul.

"The boys are here. They're waiting at the VIP lounge," Nick told him, voice brief, professional.

Julian cocked an eyebrow, not surprised in the least. Isa curled over him again, fingers tracing along his jaw.

"Right. I'll be there in a minute," Julian growled, already half-absent, before hanging up without a farewell.

"Is everything okay?" Isa touched his face, looking for his expression.

"Yeah, sure," Julian answered listlessly, drawing her back against him as if she were his.

He pulled her against him, his hands stroking her as though she were already his - one moving over her leg, the other holding the nape of her neck in a possessive hold.

She let him pull her against him, their bodies flush, her warm breath against his jaw. He moved his head, his lips tracing over her throat, not for affection, but because he could-because she was his to touch.

Isa turned against him, teasing, but Julian's grip tightened, reminding her that he was master. She looked for gentleness in his eyes, but found cold hunger, a man who never asked permission.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

It's been ten minutes now. Nick glanced at the door, then his phone, then back at the guys, who were chatting away.

He sighed. Why was he the one stuck dealing with Julian's mess?

He dialed Julian's number – again.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The buzz of Julian's phone had interrupted them once again.

Isa climbed down from him, a playful smirk on her lips.

"Think you have to get going Mister" She winked at him, biting her lower lips.

Julian handed her a bundle of hundred-dollar notes. "Keep the change" he said, fastening his belt.

"I could come over if you want,you know" she purred,eyeing him intently.

"That won't be necessary," Julian replied curtly. He had work to do tonight.

Without looking back at her, he exited the room.

++++++++++++++++++++++

Julian stepped past the velvet rope and into the dimly lit VIP area, the music from downstairs now only a faraway throb. The dim lighting reflected off the crystal decanter on the table, the air thick with heavy leather couches and the smell of expensive cologne and cigar.

"You guys hear about the funeral? Mr. Lancaster's wife passed. I think the daughter's name is Heather-have you heard of her?"

"Ah, Mr. Carter," Nick announced dramatically as Julian stepped in. "Didn't think we'd see you before sunrise. Thought you'd passed out or something." He chuckled.

"Sorry, boys. Got held up." Julian shot Nick a sharp look as he dropped into the leather armchair.

Nick rolled his eyes. "Yeah, sure. I told them," he muttered.

"No problem, bro," Josh said, handing Julian a tumbler of beer.

"Thanks," Julian replied, taking it without much enthusiasm.

As the table grew louder with laughter, Julian barely heard. He sipped his cocktail slowly, his mind elsewhere. Heather Lancaster.

He had not yet met her - only heard of her. Heard enough. The fragile daughter of a grieving tycoon. Gorgeous, by Nick's account. Intelligent, by Josh's account. And above all, unattainable. That fascinated him the most.

He leaned back in his chair, gaze fixed on nothing in general, fingers drumming the rim of his glass. He could not help but wonder what she looked like when nobody was looking. What she sounded like when she wasn't crying.

And why, in particular, she was still single.

"I heard about her suitors. She turned all of them down - even Matteo Salvi," Rick, the fourth guy at the table, muttered, shaking his head.

Julian barely registered the comment-until that name. His glass paused halfway to his lips. Matteo?

Josh leaned in, grinning. "I think my friend Julian here might have better luck."

"She's not my type," Julian said quickly, lowering his glass. His voice was level-carefully so. But the smirk tugging at his lips betrayed something else. Obsession, maybe. Or revenge.

The others exchanged knowing glances, their grins spreading like they'd just lit the fuse on something dangerous.

Julian caught the shift, glanced at them sideways.

"Alright..." Josh began, dragging the moment. "I dare you-"

"We weren't playing that game," Julian cut in, straightening in his seat.

"We were. Right before you walked in," Josh countered, eyebrows raised. The other two nodded.

Julian narrowed his eyes. Something about this felt... rehearsed.

"What? You scared?" Josh teased, elbowing him.

Julian gave a dry chuckle. "Fine. What is it?"

"I dare you to marry Heather Lancaster... in three months."

The silence that followed was brief-but thick. Julian didn't flinch. He didn't bother answering. Yet.

Instead, a slow smirk crept across his face as he reached for his glass, fingers steady, deliberate.

"Three months?" he murmured, swirling the drink. "That's generous."

He downed the glass in one go. Game on.