Lila's Pov
"Relax, Lila. Just one night, Forget everything," she said. Her blue eyes sparkled under the lights. She smelled like expensive perfume.
"I do not know if I can," I whispered. My green eyes scanned the room. People laughed, drank, and moved too close to one another. I felt small, trapped in a sea of strangers.
"Do not be silly," Evelyn said, tugging me toward the bar. "You need this. You deserve this. Just follow me."
I hesitated, then let her lead me. My red hair brushed my shoulders as we pushed past dancers and drunk men. The heat of bodies pressed against mine. I tried to breathe slowly.
Then I saw them.
Three men, Standing together near the VIP section. They did not move with the crowd. The crowd moved around them. Their presence was heavy, dangerous. My stomach dropped. One was tall, broad, black hair slicked back. The second had a lean frame, sharp jaw, a teasing smile that made me nervous. The third was silent, strong, black hair falling over his forehead.
"They are staring at you," Evelyn said softly. She did not laugh. She did not smile. Her eyes were serious. "Do not run. Do not look away. Just let them see you."
I felt my cheeks burn, My hands shook. My dress felt tight, my chest heavy. I did not know why they were looking at me. I had not met them. Not really. But I could feel it. Desire, danger, power. Everything wrapped together and pressing down on my body.
Asher moved first. His smile widened, He stepped closer, letting his fingers brush lightly against my arm. "Hello," he said. His voice was soft, smooth. My skin tingled.
"I… I am Lila," I said, my voice shaking."Lila," he repeated. "Beautiful name. Perfect for you."
Ryder stepped forward, "You should not be here alone," he said. His tone was protective, but sharp, warning. I could feel him measuring me, Watching me, Marking me.
"I… I am with my friend," I said quickly, looking at Evelyn. She nodded once, calm."You will not leave unnoticed tonight," Damon said quietly. He did not smile. He did not move fast. But I felt his presence, like a shadow over my heart. His eyes never left mine.
I swallowed. My mouth was dry. "I… I just wanted one night," I said, unsure.
The three men exchanged a glance. Ryder's hand brushed my back, moving me forward slightly. Asher's fingers lingered on mine. Damon's gaze locked into mine, unreadable.
"Then one night you shall have," Ryder said. His voice was low, almost a growl. Desire and warning mixed together.
We moved through the crowd. No one touched me, No one stopped me. The brothers guided me like I belonged to them already. Fear mixed with heat ran through my veins. I could not think, I could only feel.
The private room waited behind velvet curtains. No one entered without permission. Ryder opened the door first. Asher stepped inside next, turning back to motion me forward. Damon followed silently, closing the door.
The room smelled faintly of candles. Soft light glowed from a chandelier above. Music was distant now. Outside, the world continued, but inside, it felt like time slowed.
"Sit," Ryder said. His hand rested near my shoulder, not touching but close enough I could feel warmth.
I obeyed. My legs shook, My hands pressed together. Asher leaned against the wall, arms crossed. Damon stood behind me, watching.
"You do not understand the effect you have," Asher said, smiling. His voice was teasing but dangerous. My heart raced.
"I… I am not sure I want to," I whispered. I wanted to run, I wanted to hide but my body stayed still. Something inside me refused to move.
"Do not fight it," Ryder said. "Just let yourself feel. Tonight, you are free."
I remembered Dominic. My husband, My life with him felt empty. He had betrayed me, lied, controlled me. My body remembered nights of cold sheets, nights of silence, nights of fear. My mind wanted to escape, My heart wanted to forget.
"I do not know if I can," I said again. My voice broke.
"You can," Damon said. His tone was steady, commanding.He made me believe him, Made me believe that I could let go. Then Asher moved closer. His hand brushed mine lightly, teasing, testing. "Do not be afraid," he whispered. "I will not hurt you. But you will never forget me."
Heat flooded my body. My chest ached, I could not breathe properly. I felt desire, fear, and something else. Something sharp, Something dangerous. Ryder's hand rested lightly on my waist. Damon's gaze never left my eyes. Asher leaned closer, his lips almost brushing my ear. My mind screamed, My body betrayed me.
"I…" I whispered. Words failed me. My fingers trembled.
"Shh," Ryder said softly. His hand pressed a little firmer. Protection and ownership mixed together in a way that made me shiver. "Tonight is ours. No one else matters. Only this room. Only us."
The candlelight flickered. Shadows moved across the walls. My pulse raced faster. I wanted to speak, to scream, to move. But I stayed frozen. Desire and fear tangled inside me. Asher's fingers traced a path from my hand to my arm, slowly, deliberately. "You will remember this night," he whispered. "Every touch, Every look, Every sound."
Damon stepped closer. His hands did not move, but his presence pressed against me. "Do not run from what you want," he said quietly. "You have already chosen. You just do not know it yet." Ryder bent close, lips near my ear. Heat burned against my skin. "One night can change everything," he said. "Everything."
I swallowed hard, My body trembled. My mind spun. I wanted to resist but I could not. Every nerve in my body shouted for more. The room seemed smaller. The shadows closer, The candle flickered violently. A soft knock echoed from the door behind me.
Asher smiled. "Someone is watching," he said. "But tonight, you are ours. Not theirs. Only ours." I looked up. My heart skipped. My hands shook. "Who… who is outside?"
Ryder did not answer. Damon's eyes darkened. Asher's smile grew sharper. The knock came again. Louder this time. More urgent.
"Do you want me to open it?" I whispered, voice trembling. "No," Ryder said. "It is better if you do not. Let it wait. You belong here, with us. Not out there."
I nodded, but fear and curiosity clawed at me. My stomach twisted. My heartbeat thundered.
Another knock. This time, closer. Someone pressed their hand against the wood. Heavy, Real, Intentional.
Asher stepped toward the door, his body tense. "They do not know what they are about to find," he said. The candle flickered again. Shadows danced across the walls. The air felt thick, My mind spun.
Ryder's hand pressed on my back. "No matter what happens, do not move," he said. "Tonight begins everything. And once it starts, nothing will ever be the same." I shivered. My red hair brushed my shoulder. I wanted to speak, My mouth would not work, My body froze.
Another knock, Louder, Harder. The door rattled. Asher leaned close to my ear. "Do not turn around," he whispered. "Not yet. Not until we say so." My heart raced faster than ever. Desire, fear, and danger collided inside me.
Then the door burst open.
And everything changed.