MATURE

Life hasn’t been kind to me. One moment, I was a carefree eighteen-year-old with dreams of a bright future. The next, I was a 28 year old lady and my world went up in flames. literally. My mom died in the fire that destroyed our home, my little sister is in a coma, and my brother’s in jail for trying to keep us afloat. My dad? He left us drowning in debt and despair.

I thought I’d hit rock bottom, but then I found myself working in a place where dreams go to die, doing things I never imagined just to survive. That’s when he walked into my life, Alex Romanov. Dangerous. Mysterious. And entirely out of my league.

He’s everything I should fear, but there’s something about him that draws me in. Maybe it’s the way he looks at me like I’m more than just another broken soul. Or the way he makes me feel alive when I thought I’d forgotten how.

But Alex has secrets, dark ones that could destroy us both. And as my past collides with his world, I’m left wondering: Can I trust the man who’s slowly stealing my heart, or will his darkness swallow me whole?

This isn’t the life I wanted, but it’s the one I’ve been given.

I found myself growing more irritable as the night went on. The loud laughter of my partners grated on my nerves, and the sight of the women fawning over them made me want to leave. They called for more drinks, summoned girls to dance for them, and indulged in every vice imaginable. It was all so predictable, so shallow.


I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. "Enough," I muttered to myself.


One of the partners, a greasy man named Victor, noticed my mood and leaned toward me. "You're quiet tonight, boss," he said with a smirk. "Not enjoying yourself?"


"I'm fine," I replied curtly, not bothering to look at him.


Victor chuckled, clearly amused by my lack of enthusiasm. "You're missing out. These girls are something else. You should loosen up a little, boss."


I turned my head to him, my expression ice-cold. "Mind your own business, Victor."


Chapter 28 - 28