“The lady is with me tonight,” Jonathan states with a cheeky grin. “So make yourself scarce, Damien. You’re ruining a perfectly fine night.”

Aaliya sinks further into his embrace, making my blood boil. He gives me a pointed look. Bastard!

“Jonathan!” My voice drops to a deadly tone. “Don’t get on my wrong side. I need to talk to Aaliya so let her go, or you and me are going to have a serious problem.”

He smirks. “You and I have several problems as it is. What’s one more? The only way you’re going to get to her is through me.”

His audacity makes me livid. I grab the collar of his jacket and raise my fist to wipe the grin off his face but Aaliya puts her hand on my arm. “What’s wrong with you? Stop creating a scene!”

My gaze locks on her. “Come with me now or you will get a scene.”

We stare at one another until she raises her hands in annoyance. “Fine, whatever.”

I lower my arm and release Jonathan. Aaliya whispers something in his ear.

“Are you sure you’ll be fine with him?” He asks her, much to my disgust.

“Positive,” she replies.

I take her hand and pull her towards the corner of the floor.

Aaliya wobbles on her feet and I’m literally dragging her behind me. I pause in the middle of the packed dance floor and face her.

“How much have you had to drink?”

“Four, five shots, what’s it to you?” She juts her chin out. “You’re not my keeper. I was having way too much fun before you arrived. So, go away and let me be.”

She turns, but I grab hold of her shoulder and whirl her to face me. She falters and puts her hands to her head.

“I’m feeling...dizzy!”

She sways and faints right into my arms.

Aaliya

I WAKE UP WITH A START, jerking upright. My eyes take in the dimly lit, unfamiliar room. Where am I? But before I can make any sense of my situation a strong bout of nausea overwhelms me and I run towards a shut door praying that it’s a toilet. I barely reach inside before I’m violently ill. I finally stand after I’m done and turn to the mirror and stare at myself in shock. Shit! I’m fully nude and my face looks disgusting with raccoon like kohl streaks under my eyes.

Snatches from the previous night infiltrate my brain and I remember arguing with Damien, after which it’s all a blank. A lot of male toiletries are organized neatly on the marble counter in front of me, several of them achingly familiar. Damien! He brought me to his house. However, I can’t bring myself to step out like this.