Chapter 2 The one in black

Deja's POV

The cab smelled like leather, strong perfume, and excitement.

Tara had her phone out, scrolling through Instagram and laughing under her breath. Serena sat by the window, watching the city blur past, her brows furrowed like she was debating if this was a good idea. I sat between them, legs crossed, heart pounding beneath my silver dress.

"This better not be a waste of lashes," I muttered, adjusting my gown

Tara looked up. "Girl, it won't be. You know who hangs out at Infinity, right?"

Serena cut her eyes toward her. "Here we go."

Tara leaned in like she had a secret too hot for the internet. "I heard Nic Maddox is in town. And guess where he always goes when he's bored?"

I blinked. "Infinity?"

Tara nodded, grinning wide. "Mm-hmm. That man is fine and dangerous. Rich as hell, quiet, scary... the kind that breaks your heart with a smile."

Serena added softly, "Didn't he just break up with that model? What's her name again... Amy?"

"Amy Star," I said quickly. "She was all over that Vogue shoot last month."

"Yup," Tara said. "He dumped her right before their three-month anniversary."

"Figures," I said, a smirk playing on my lips. "That's why the media calls him The 90-Day Prince."

Serena raised a brow. "That's awful."

"That's iconic," I corrected. "He takes them, spoils them, and leaves them."

Tara gave me a side-eye. "Sounds like your dream man."

I didn't deny it. "Honestly? If he ever looked at me twice... I'd let him spoil me senseless."

⸻

When the cab pulled up outside Infinity, our words died in our throats.

The building glowed under the New York night, glassy and tall with gold lights trailing its sides like something out of a movie. Expensive cars lined the curb. Doormen in black suits stood like statues. Inside the tinted windows, I could already see bodies moving to music and chandeliers that sparkled like stars.

Serena whispered, "This place is insane."

Tara fixed her lip gloss. "Look hot, act richer than you are, and don't let anyone see you blink."

I swallowed the intimidation. If I wanted out of the life I was in, this was where I had to start.

⸻

Inside, the bass vibrated through my chest. Neon lights flashed over velvet walls. Everyone smelled like wealth - cologne, perfume, and something more expensive than either of those.

We walked straight to the bar, where Tara's cousin - tall, tan, with tattoos climbing up one arm - was mixing drinks like he owned the place.

"Look what the city dragged in," he said, eyes flicking straight to me.

Tara grinned. "This is Deja. That's Serena."

He offered me a slow smile. "You want something sweet or strong?"

"Sweet," I replied, locking eyes with him.

He slid us three flutes of something pink and bubbling. I took mine with a soft "thanks," but in my mind, I already knew.

He was fine. But I needed more.

I needed someone who could change my life.

⸻

We were mid-laugh over Serena's story about our math teacher's body odor when a man in all black approached - tall, expressionless, his eyes hidden behind tinted glasses.

He stopped in front of me.

Didn't speak. Just stood.

"Can I help you?" I asked, brows raised.

His hand slowly lifted, pointing upstairs - to a roped-off balcony glowing in warm gold light.

"He wants to see you."

My chest tightened. "Who?"

The man didn't answer.

But I followed his finger to the top.

And there he was.

Lounging on a black velvet couch, surrounded by $100 bills, a few slow-dancing strippers, and two well-dressed men. But my eyes didn't linger on them.

They locked onto him.

Nic Maddox.

⸻

Even from this distance, he was dangerous.

Tall, lean, with sharp cheekbones, dark messy hair, and the kind of grey eyes that looked like storms lived inside them. His shirt - black, vintage, and partially unbuttoned - teased his chest, smooth and cut like sin. A glint of gold on his wrist: a Rolex, heavy and loud without saying a word.

Tara's breath hitched beside me.

"Is that...?"

"Holy sh*t," Serena whispered.

Tara nudged me. "Girl, go."

I hesitated.

Tara whispered again, "This is your moment."

So I handed Serena my glass, pushed my shoulders back, and walked toward the stairs.

⸻

Up close, everything felt surreal.

Thick stacks of money were spread across the marble floor like poker chips. A couple of strippers giggled near the pole in the corner. A bottle of vintage whiskey sat uncorked beside glasses of untouched champagne.

Nic's friends watched me as I stepped in. One of them - Lucas, I assumed - raised his glass at me with a flirtatious smirk. The other, Stone, barely looked my way. His arms were crossed, face hard like concrete.i can't believe I'm seeing the countries hot cakes,fate is really making me dance in lucks boot

I stopped short when I reached him.

The infamous man himself.

Nic turned his head slowly.

Those grey eyes locked on mine, unmoving.

Predatory.

"Darling," he said, voice smooth and deep,sexy "come sit with me."

I blinked, stepped forward, and reached for the couch seat beside him-

-but before I could sit, he pulled me straight into his lap.

A soft gasp escaped my lips, and his hand tightened around my waist.

He was strong. Smelled like spice and something expensive.

"What's your name?" he asked, eyes trailing my neck.

"Deja."

"And your age?"

"Eighteen."

He didn't react. No shock. No hesitation.

"I saw you at the bar," he said quietly. "You're even more beautiful up close."

He leaned in, lips brushing my skin.

Then his mouth pressed against my neck-

Soft. Possessive. Dangerous.

I inhaled sharply, my body betraying my brain.

"I want my friends up here," I whispered.

He smirked. "Of course."

He lifted a hand. The man in black was gone and back within moments, guiding Tara and Serena upstairs.

Their eyes were wide. Terrified. Excited.

Nic didn't let me move from his lap. Instead, he poured me a glass of something strong and handed it to me without breaking eye contact.

Lucas let out a low whistle when the girls approached. "Look what the boss dragged in."

"You're done for the night."Lucas says to the strippers lingering around in their vip space.

One of them - a tall blonde - glared at me like I'd just stolen her throne. I didn't blink. She stomped out.

Lucas- warm, cheeky - pulled Tara down beside him. Stone just nodded at Serena, but I saw it. The way his eyes lingered. Silent. Focused.

Nic's hand slid down my hip again.

"Wanna come home with me?" he asked softly.

There was no hesitation in my body.

"Yes."

He stood, tugging me up with him. His hand never left mine.

"Leaving," he told his friends.

Lucas saluted.

I looked at Serena and Tara. "I'll call you guys."

They nodded, still in shock.

And then... I walked out with him.

For the first time in my life, I stepped into a Maybach.

Cold leather. Soft jazz. The smell of money and sex and secrets.

And the man beside me?

He didn't say a word.

But his hand rested firmly on my thigh.

⸻