I blinked, the sheer opulence of Ace's mansion threatening to overwhelm me. From the perfectly manicured driveway to the grand staircase that seemed to climb into the clouds, every detail screamed wealth. I knew he was rich, but this...this was another level entirely. Ace, ever the gentleman, smiled warmly and ushered me inside, his hand a light pressure on my back.
Stepping into the foyer felt like entering a museum of modern art. Expansive, flawlessly decorated spaces stretched before me, filled with furniture that probably cost more than my entire future earnings. How could someone like Ace, who swam in this kind of wealth, be interested in me? I was a stripper, plain and simple. My biggest accomplishment tonight was losing my virginity to him. Oh, and the small matter of murdering two men.
A wave of nausea crashed over me. The memory of their faces, the sudden, shocking ease with which I'd ended their lives… it was horrifying. Why had I done it for him? And more terrifyingly, why had I felt so little remorse in the moment?
Panic bubbled up, thick and choking. I felt like I was drowning. A dark, suffocating presence seemed to press in on me from all sides. My breath hitched, tears stung my eyes, blurring the already extravagant surroundings into an abstract painting of fear. I tried to scream, but no sound escaped. It was a silent, internal scream, trapped within the growing darkness. I was alone.
Just as I was about to succumb to the suffocating despair, my body jolted awake. I gasped, lungs burning, and pushed myself upright on the plush couch. Where was I? What had just happened?
"You're awake." A voice, deep and resonant, sent a shiver down my spine.
I whirled around, heart hammering, to find a man standing behind me. He was tall, easily over six feet, with striking hazel eyes and dark hair that faded into a subtle brown at the sides. He was impeccably dressed in a black button-down shirt and fitted black jeans that showcased a lean, powerful physique. Even his shoes radiated wealth. But it was his scent that truly captivated me – a rich, warm aroma of honey and autumn spices that made my skin tingle.
I met his gaze, my own golden eyes wide and questioning. I managed a small, hesitant smile.
"I'm Haiden Montes and you are?," he said, his voice laced with an accent that was both exotic and intoxicating. It was a blend, maybe Spanish and something else...Japanese? He was undeniably gorgeous. His bone structure was sharp, his lips full, and the way his clothes fit...Focus, Hailey! You just lost your virginity to your childhood crush and now you're drooling over a stranger? What is wrong with you?
Two dead men, a stolen virginity, and now a bizarre infatuation with a man I'd just met. My life had spiraled into a twisted, surreal nightmare.
I pushed the chaos aside, forcing myself to focus on the present. I needed to figure out who this man was, and why I was here. Taking a deep breath, I looked at Haiden and managed a casual tone. "I'm Hailey. And you are...?"
"Ace's stepbrother," he replied, his expression calm and reassuring. "He asked me to watch over you while he went to work."
I glanced at the nearest clock. 2:15 AM. What kind of work required Ace to leave at this hour? A seed of suspicion began to sprout in my mind.