Dangerously Yours

An Easy Target

The man climbed the stairs to the upper level, where guests could overlook the main bar from a more secluded seating area. After reaching the top, he made his way towards a private section, where a familiar figure sat with a drink in front of him.

“You’re late this time.”

Damien pulled out the chair opposite Adrian and sat down, looking completely unbothered. “Oh, come on, Adrian. I had to finish my rounds at the hospital. Damn, I can still smell the hospital on me.”

Adrian glanced at him with mild disgust. “Then take a shower.”

Damien rolled his eyes. “Wow. Such concern for my well-being. I’m touched.”

Adrian ignored him and took a slow sip of his drink.

A few seconds later, he spoke again. “You know, I remember being late the last time we came here. And what did you do? You threw an apple at me as a greeting.”

Damien’s lips twitched. He could already tell where this conversation was heading.

Adrian leaned back, a faint smirk spreading across his face. “Now you’re late, and I’m wondering whether I should throw a knife at you this time. You know, to show you the same respect.”

Damien immediately waved his hands. “No, thank you.”

However, when he noticed Adrian’s expression turn serious, his hands slowly dropped. He stared at his friend in disbelief. “Are you actually serious?”

Adrian’s smirk deepened. “Why? Afraid you won’t be able to dodge it?”

“You’re a psychopath.” Damien let out a disbelieving laugh before settling more comfortably into his seat.

After a moment, Adrian glanced around the open seating area. “Why did you ask me to wait for you here instead of the private room?”

“There are times when you need to come out and see what’s going on around you.” Damien leaned back comfortably. “Don’t be boring, Adrian.”

Adrian gave him a flat look before returning his attention to his drink.

Damien simply grinned, clearly pleased with himself.

Downstairs, Claire had apparently decided that sitting at the bar was no longer an acceptable way to spend their evening.

“Come on, Viv! Let’s dance!”

Vivian barely had time to put down her glass before Claire grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the dance floor.

“Cee! What are you doing?” Vivian protested, stumbling slightly as she tried to keep up with her enthusiastic friend.

“Having fun! Something you clearly forgot how to do!”

“Can’t we have fun while sitting?” Vivian asked, already feeling a little tipsy.

“Nope. Absolutely not!” Claire insisted. “Now, darling, move those gorgeous legs!”

Vivian burst out laughing and shook her head.

Honestly, Claire was impossible.

At first, Vivian danced reluctantly, allowing Claire to do most of the work while she watched her friend’s enthusiasm with amusement. But as the music continued, she gradually relaxed and began enjoying herself.

The other patrons gave the two women enough space to dance, some watching with appreciative smiles as they moved to the music.

Upstairs, Adrian and Damien noticed the growing excitement below and glanced towards the dance floor.

Damien’s attention immediately settled on Claire. “Oh, it’s that girl. She’s so cute.” A smile spread across his face as he watched her dance.

Adrian followed his gaze briefly before scoffing. “Playboy.”

Damien turned to him. “Excuse me? I haven’t even spoken to her.”

“You don’t need to.”

Damien laughed, then returned his attention to the dance floor.

Meanwhile, Adrian’s gaze shifted to the woman dancing beside Claire.

Unlike her friend, she wasn’t trying to command the attention of everyone around her. She moved with less enthusiasm, occasionally laughing at something Claire said, but there was an effortless confidence in the way she carried herself.

She didn’t seem concerned about who was watching.

There was something about her that caught Adrian’s attention. He took another sip of his drink, his gaze lingering on her longer than he intended.

Then she turned her face slightly.

The light fell across her features, revealing her eyes.

Adrian paused.

There was something striking about them. He couldn’t explain why they caught his attention, nor could he understand why he suddenly found himself studying a complete stranger.

For a brief moment, he simply watched her. Then he looked away, dismissing the encounter as unimportant.

At least, that was what he told himself.

Damien, however, hadn’t missed a thing. A mischievous smirk spread across his face. “Oh, it seems like someone has finally caught your attention after twenty-eight years!”

Adrian didn’t respond.

Damien shook his head dramatically. “She must have saved a kingdom in her past life to finally catch Mr Vale’s attention!”

Adrian glanced at him before returning his attention to his drink. “Are you done?”

“Not even close.”

“Pity.”

Damien chuckled, settling back into his chair. “You know, you’ve been in a good mood lately. Has anything major happened?”

“Can’t I be in a good mood without a reason?”

“Of course you can.” Damien paused. “But you should learn how to have fun. Not just sit here staring at your glass.”

Adrian finally turned to him, a smirk playing on his lips. “Would you prefer I throw it at you instead?”

Damien immediately raised both hands in surrender. “There he is! The charming Adrian Vale we all know and love.”

Adrian ignored him and took another sip.

Damien shook his head, laughing quietly to himself.

Downstairs, the music continued as Vivian and Claire danced on.

But eventually, Vivian began to feel uncomfortably full. She placed a hand against her stomach and made a face.

“Okay, I think I’ve had enough.”

Claire turned towards her, still moving to the music.

“Enough dancing?”

“Enough of you trying to kill me in the name of having fun,” Vivian replied with a tired laugh.

Claire burst out laughing.

Vivian shook her head, smiling despite herself. “I’m going to the restroom. Don’t do anything embarrassing while I’m gone.”

Claire placed a hand over her heart, feigning offence. “Vivian Blackwell, I am deeply offended. When have I ever embarrassed you?”

Vivian raised an eyebrow. “Should I start making a list?”

Claire held her gaze for two seconds before bursting into laughter. “Okay, fine. Hurry back!”

Vivian shook her head and stepped away from the dance floor.

She made her way through the crowd towards the corridor leading to the restrooms, unaware that someone had been watching her for quite some time.

At a nearby table, a man sat surrounded by several friends. His attention had followed Vivian throughout the evening, and he hadn’t bothered to hide his interest.

He liked her confidence, her appearance, and the way she seemed completely unaware of the attention she attracted.

Unfortunately, his interest had little to do with admiration.

He leaned towards his friends, a crooked smile spreading across his face. “I’m telling you, I’m getting that girl into my bed tonight.”

One of his friends laughed. “Are you serious? Her? Well, you do have good taste. She’s gorgeous.”

The man nodded confidently, his gaze following Vivian as she disappeared into the crowd.

“Exactly.”

Another friend raised his glass. “Fine. Let’s make it interesting. If you succeed, drinks are on us next weekend.”

“And if I don’t?” the man asked.

“Then you’re paying for everyone tonight.”

The group burst into laughter.

It wasn’t the first time they’d made such a bet, and judging by the confidence on the man’s face, he had no intention of losing this one.

He leaned back in his chair, watching the corridor Vivian had disappeared into.

From the way she’d been dancing and the drinks she’d had, he assumed she was tipsy enough to be an easy target.

A smug smile spread across his face.

Beautiful, slightly tipsy, and alone.

What could possibly go wrong?

He pushed his chair back and stood.

His friends watched with amused expressions, already anticipating the outcome of their little wager.

The man straightened his shirt, adjusted his watch, and headed towards the corridor.

He had always been confident he could get whatever he wanted.

Tonight, he intended to prove it.