Careful, Doll.
1087 Words
DEREK.
Later that day…
"Sean, where is she?" I asked, glancing at my watch while adjusting the cuff of my tuxedo. "You know I hate being late."
I was dressed in a tailored black tuxedo with a crisp white shirt underneath. The jacket hung perfectly on my broad shoulders, and polished black shoes completed the look.
Sean raised an eyebrow. "Relax."
I smirked.
Then he pointed toward the staircase. "Here she is."
My gaze followed his finger.
Grace stood at the top of the stairs. She wore a short designer dress that hugged her figure perfectly. Her dark hair flowed freely over her shoulders, and light makeup highlighted her natural beauty.
Beautiful.
The moment she noticed me staring, she lowered her head.
"Sorry for being late, sir."
I clicked my tongue.
"Nonsense."
She flinched.
"You apologize too much."
I stepped closer.
"Keep saying sorry and I'll cut that tongue of yours."
Her eyes widened.
"Let's go."
She nodded quickly.
"Sean, lead the way."
Sean groaned dramatically. "One day I'll quit."
"You've been saying that for years."
---
The drive to the club was quiet.
Grace sat beside me; her hands folded neatly in her lap. Too quiet. Too obedient. I didn't trust it.
When we arrived, the sound of music hit us immediately. People danced beneath flashing lights. Smoke lingered in the air. Laughter mixed with expensive liquor and bad decisions.
Ignoring the crowd, I headed toward my private elevator. Only a handful of people had access to it.
We rode to the top floor, where real business was conducted. The private room.
The moment we entered; conversations paused. Every eye landed on me, then on Grace. A dangerous silence settled over the room. Some of the most powerful men in the city sat around the table, each accompanied by women draped in luxury.
Jack chuckled.
I narrowed my eyes at him.
"Share the joke."
He grinned shamelessly.
"She's beautiful."
My jaw tightened.
"She's off-limits."
"I was only looking."
"Look elsewhere."
The people inside the room laughed. Jack raised his hands.
"Possessive already?"
I ignored him. Turning toward the others, I rested a hand on Grace's shoulder.
"This is Grace. I believe she'll be the right person to lead and train my girls."
One of the men frowned. "Why her?"
I looked at him coldly. "Because I said so."
Silence. No one challenged me further.
"She belongs under my protection," My gaze swept around the room. "If anyone hurts her..."
My voice dropped. "I'll kill them."
Grace looked startled. Good. Let her wonder why.
I turned toward her. "Go dance."
Her face paled. "For who?"
"For me."
She swallowed hard.
"Don't disappoint me," I warned.
Trembling slightly, she walked toward the stage. Music filled the room and business resumed. While the men discussed shipments, territory, and money, Grace danced beneath the dim lights.
Survival. That was the game everyone played. Some simply played it better than others.
When she finished, I called her back. She approached carefully. "Can I use the restroom?" she asked softly.
I studied her face. Something felt off. But eventually, I nodded.
"Go."
She disappeared down the hallway.
Ten minutes passed. Then twenty. Then thirty. I sighed and sent one of my guards to check on her.
A few minutes later, he returned.
"The restroom is empty, sir."
A dark laugh escaped me.
As I expected. Trusting Grace was my first mistake. Letting her out of my sight was the second. She had just made a very dangerous decision.
Across the room, Sean stared at me.
"What?" I asked.
He laughed.
"You actually look worried."
"Shut up."
I stood and headed toward the women's restroom. Women moved aside the moment they saw me. Some smiled, others openly flirted. I ignored them all.
Then I found it - an open window.
My laughter echoed through the empty room. "Really, Grace?"
I climbed out and followed the trail leading into the woods behind the club. Minutes later, I heard her heavy breathing, branches snapping, running footsteps.
"Tired already?" My voice cut through the darkness.
She froze, then turned. Fear flooded her expression. I lit a cigarette. The flame briefly illuminated my face.
"Run, pretty girl." She didn't move. "When you're done, return through the same window you escaped from."
"Derek…"
"Run," Smoke curled from my lips. "But don't let me catch you."
For several seconds, neither of us spoke. Then she exploded.
"Let me go home!" Her voice cracked. "I don't want to be here! I hate this place!" She pointed at me. "I hate you."
A dangerous silence followed. I took another drag from my cigarette.
"Careful, doll," My voice was calm. Too calm. "I'm not known for any patience."
"Well, go to hell, Derek."
A smile slowly spread across my face. "Hell?" I laughed darkly. "I've been hearing that word for years."
I stepped forward slightly.
"Maybe I'll buy property there."
---
GRACE.
The moment Sean informed me about the evening outing, I knew it was my chance.
My chance to escape. I hated this place. Hated the fear. Hated the rules. Most of all, I hated Derek Blue.
After showering, I put on the dress Sean had brought me and slipped into the matching heels. When I walked downstairs, Derek was already waiting.
He looked infuriatingly handsome in his tuxedo.
Elegant. Powerful. Dangerous.
My heart betrayed me by noticing.
Then he opened his mouth and reminded me why I disliked him. Cold. Arrogant. Controlling.
Tonight, I would pretend to be obedient. Then I would run.
The drive to the club was silent. I spent every second studying the surroundings, memorizing exits, roads, landmarks- anything that might help me escape.
Inside the club, things became worse. Powerful men stared openly at me, like wolves examining their prey.
Then Derek ordered me to dance. Humiliation burned through me, but I obeyed. I needed him to lower his guard.
When I asked to use the restroom, he agreed. That was my opportunity. I climbed through the window and ran. Unfortunately, freedom wasn't waiting for me.
A forest was-dark, silent, and terrifying.
Still, I kept running. And running. Then Derek found me. Even after his warning, I refused to stop.
I ran for nearly an hour, yet somehow, I kept ending up in the same place.
The same side of the building. The same forest.
There was no gate, no road-just endless trees.
My chest tightened. Tears filled my eyes. I had failed. I wasn't free. I was trapped.
And Derek Blue was waiting for me.
- Writer
