Monsters' Gift (Crude Hill High 2)

I smiled, relieved as I didn’t want to have to walk all the way to the nightclub. I didn’t know where she wanted to take us, but right now, all I wanted to do was forget about everything and everyone. Especially four guys back at a town I once loathed.

Once inside the car, Ashley kept the driver entertained, allowing me to sit back, relax, and just focus on the passing world. I didn’t know if this would be the biggest mistake in the world.

Going out for my birthday had sounded like fun, but now, I didn’t think it would be.

After half an hour, Ashley grabbed my hand, leading me out into the night. She waved at the bouncer at the front door, and much to my surprise, we were allowed in.

“I know Philip. He’s a good guy. He comes into the restaurant all the time and I helped him with proposing to his fiancée.” Ashley tugged me deep into the nightclub. The lights were all down. The music was just a jumble of notes filling the air.

People danced on the main floor. No one seemed to have any rhythm, but no one cared.

Before I had a chance to turn her down, Ashley pulled me onto the dance floor and made me work my hips. It wasn’t so bad. Kind of fun actually. No one expected anything from me, which was a welcome relief.

Pushing all my previous thoughts out of my head, I let myself go, dancing and enjoying myself. It wasn’t too hard to do. Not when I finally let everything go and just enjoyed the feelings. It was nice. Freeing.

We stopped to get some drinks, then started back dancing. A couple of guys tried to hit on us, but Ashley sent them on their way. Tonight was about me, apparently.

Finally, we were both exhausted and found a booth that made it a little more private. The music was still too loud, but we could at least talk to one another.

“This is so much fun, am I right?” Ashley asked.

“Yeah. It’s great. You know, I wouldn’t mind if you wanted to go out on a date.”

Ashley waved her hand in front of me. “Please, I don’t want to even think about guys right now. I’m focused on my career. Guys are like totally boring.” She blew out a breath as she looked out across the dance floor.

I reach across and take hold of her hand. “This is our life now, Ash. We’re not going back there. Ever. This is all we’ve got.”

“I get that, and guess what, the only person I want to spend my life with is you. I don’t care about men or relationships.” She shrugged. “I really need to pee. How about we have another drink and then go and get some food?”

“Yeah, I’m game. I’ll wait here.”

“Thanks.”

Ashley slid out of the booth and I sat, waiting for her. She disappeared from sight, and I ran my fingers across the table. It had been nice to dance, but my feet were killing me. Regardless of what anyone said, there was no good way to dance in heels. They were horrible death contraptions.

I couldn’t wait to take them off and give myself a foot massage.

Someone sat in the booth and I’d been so busy looking out across the crowd, I didn’t pay attention.

I was about to tell them I’d be going, but all the words died in my throat as I saw who sat opposite me. I hadn’t seen him in seven years. The night that had changed it all.

Earl Valentine. The man my father had intended to sell me to. My virginity. Not me. I wasn’t the commodity, my precious hymen had been. Of course, realizing what my father planned, I’d slept with not one but two of my men, and I didn’t regret it.

Staring at him now, I knew we were in danger. I glanced in the direction of where Ashley had gone.

“She’s safe,” he said.

I clenched my hands into tight fists. Seven years of being all alone had made me sloppy. I didn’t have anything to back me up. No protection of any kind.

I didn’t know what the fuck to do.

“What are you doing here?”

“It’s a free country, and London is such a wonderful city. Have you seen it at Christmas?”

He knew damn well I’d seen it at that time of year. Fucker.

I didn’t like this.

Even though I’d been miserable, I enjoyed not living in fear. I no longer constantly put my back to any room. I took my time where I went. Right now, I was pissed off. I hated this feeling.

In a few short seconds, he’d made me ache for the freedom I’d possessed.

“What do you want?”

“Now that’s a rather interesting question, isn’t it? Originally, I was promised a virgin woman. Then, of course, that was taken from me, and in its place as a peace offering, I was granted an alignment with the Monsters that saw me double my empire.”