The words landed like a gunshot and silence crashed over the group as her finger rose—steady, unflinching—and pointed straight into the shadows.
Toward him.
Shock rippled outward. Liam straightened abruptly, disbelief etched across his face. Chloe gasped softly as the girl at the bar stared with her mouth falling open.
The man didn't move and for a long moment, he simply studied Layla—measuring, assessing—before one corner of his mouth curved into something that wasn't quite a smile.
No one laughed at first.They stared—frozen—as Layla pointed past her boyfriend and chose the man instead.
Then the silence shattered into gasps, whistles, and cheers that tasted like scandal.
"Isn't that her boyfriend's uncle?"
"Isn't that Liam's uncle?"
"That's Mr.Elias."
Whispers filled the air and then cheers.
"Do it."
"Go on."
Chloe turned to her.
"Layla… are you sure?" she whispered, eyes wide with disbelief.
Layla didn't answer. She was already walking toward the man in the shadows—the one who hadn't smiled, hadn't moved, hadn't looked away.
When he finally spoke, his voice was low, dangerous, and meant only for her.
"You know once you step inside," he warned, "there's no pretending this didn't happen."
Layla nodded as they made their way to the hallway behind the club. The music dulled with every step Layla took beside Elias, the bass fading into a distant pulse that echoed faintly through the walls. The neon lights gave way to dim bulbs spaced too far apart, casting long shadows that stretched across the narrow corridor.
She could hear her own heartbeat as Elias walked ahead of her—not rushing, not hesitating—his presence was calm and controlled, as if this were just another decision already made. He didn't touch her or guide her and somehow, that made everything feel more intense.
Behind them, the door to the club slammed shut.
Layla stopped breathing.
They reached a small door at the end of the hallway. Elias unlocked it, then paused, his hand still on the handle.
For the first time since she'd pointed at him, he turned fully toward her.
Up close, he was overwhelming.His gaze was steady, unreadable, dark with restraint rather than indulgence. The kind of man who didn't act without intention and who understood consequences and stepped forward anyway.
"This isn't a joke," he said quietly.
Layla swallowed.
"If you walk in," he continued with his voice low and even, "there's no pretending it didn't happen,no blaming the game and excuses."
"I know," she said as her fingers curled into fists at her sides.
Elias searched her face, as if looking for fear,regret or doubt but he found none.
Slowly, he stepped aside and Layla crossed the threshold.
The door closed behind them with a soft click that sounded far too final.
The room was small. A couch pressed against one wall, a low table, muted lighting that softened edges and blurred reality and a larger bed.
Layla stood still, suddenly unsure what to do with her hands, her body, the flood of emotions threatening to overwhelm her.
Elias didn't move toward her.He leaned back against the wall instead, arms folding loosely across his chest, watching her like a man giving her the space to change her mind.
"You don't owe anyone anything," he said. "Not them and not me."
Her laugh came out soft and bitter. "I didn't come in here for them."
His brow lifted slightly. "Then why?"
Layla met his gaze.
"Because I didn't want to feel small anymore."
Elias straightened and crossed the room slowly, deliberately, stopping just short of her,close enough that she could feel the heat of him and that the air between them felt charged.
"You're standing in front of me," he said quietly, "because you want to feel powerful."
Her breath hitched.
"Yes."
Elias brushed his thumb beneath her chin, tilting her face upward. The touch was light, almost restrained, but it sent a shiver through her entire body.
"Look at me," he said.
She did.His eyes darkened.
"This ends the moment you say stop."
Layla didn't hesitate.
"I won't."
That was all it took. Elias lips curved slightly as he leaned down and his mouth claimed hers—deep, deliberate, and consuming. The kiss was nothing like she'd known before. No clumsy urgency or uncertainty,just pressure and intention and heat.
Layla gasped softly into his mouth as her thighs pressed together while her toes twitched. His tongue forced hers into surrender as his teeth bit at her lower lip. He broke away just enough for her to breathe.
Heat flooded Layla's cheeks as she hesitated for a heartbeat and then kissed Elias back.His hand slid to her breast, folding it which made her nipples tighten against her cloth. Elias didn't rush her, instead:
"Have you done this with anybody before?"
"No." Layla said as her chest heaved up and down.
"Not even with Liam?"
"No. Today was supposed to be the day I gave it up to him but I guess it turned out like this."
"This is dangerous," he murmured. "Do you know that?"
"Yes," she whispered.
"And you still want this."
"Yes."
"After tonight,you are mine,"He said flatly.
"Every part of you. Do you understand?"
"Yes Sir." Layla whispered.
Elias fisted her head, yanking her head back until she was forced to look up at him. His eyes were dark fire as his lips crashed once again to hers.
He yanked her up as her dress already slid up and dropped her on the couch while his hand made way to her pussy, dragging her panties to one corner.
Layla's hips buckled helplessly beneath him,her nipples aching against her clothes. This was her first time and she never knew she would feel this helpless.
He started teasing her with his fingers, rounding her clit and digging his two fingers into her pussy. Layla moaned in slight pain and bit her lips lightly.
"Stop biting your lip." Elias said as he kissed her. "Bit on me instead."
Layla nodded as she bit down on his neck. And with that,he slammed his four fingers into her faster, fingering her.
"You are so tight."
"Spread your legs."
And Layla did. Elias fucked her more faster and suddenly Layla trembled under him. Orgasm. swept through her like detonation.
She moaned loudly while biting on Elias' neck.
"Easy." He growled, finally pulling out his fingers from her pussy.
Layla collapsed under him, trembling with heav
y breath. Elias held her up, fixed her cloth and hair and laid her down on the bed.
"Sleep, little one." He said as he covered her with a blanket. " I will take you home when you wake up."
Layla nodded but just then a sound landed on the door.
Knock!, knock!,knock!.