Chapter 1

Why does life always have to be so cruel? I never thought my life would end like this. I am drowning in my thoughts, awaiting death, which is yet to come. My luck is down.

Being the only daughter of some runaway parents, I had to fend for myself as well as my elderly grandma, who I lived with. That was fair enough to deal with, not until some random men with guns I've never come across came crashing through the front door, roaring about the debt my runaway father owed them. Not likee I cared about reimbursing it, but I was left with no choice when I heard the geezer had used my grandmother's house as collateral for payment, and failure to repay the money would result in our homelessness.

"Sasha, it's your shift. Those men are hungry." I finally remembered the work I had acquired. A modest girl like me working as a waitress in a strip club was a joke.

The never-ending gazes of men hungry for sexy women to have a one-night stand with were one of my biggest problems, and it wasn't going to end well if I stayed any longer. It was torture to walk past them every single day with their tongues sticking out like they hadn't drank for months.

"Damn, that curve is giving me butterflies," I heard

as I walked past Dave Mariel. Crooked up as he looks, he was the proper definition of a king with no throne, basically a vagabond. His position as the son of the ruler of San Francisco—the next ruler, I suppose—paved the way for him to get his hands dirty without being caught by the law.

Not in the mood for trouble, I walked past him cautiously to prevent his hands from touching me. Other girls in the club would die for this kind of opportunity, but I wasn't the type to go for such a menace.

"Can I take your order?" I ask, trying to be friendly to keep my job. I stared at the two men, whose eyes kept gazing at me.

"Is there a you on the menu?" His notorious eyes landed on mine, waiting for my reaction.

"I am not for sale; sorry about that." The man beside him didn't bother to glance at me. A quite amusing young man, I'd say.

My shift was over in a jiffy, or, as I'd like to call it, a fast day. I lay back on the sofa with no one in the room, my legs hurting along with my wrist. I heaved a sigh of relief as I took off my heels; they were so tight, you'd think they were detaining a monster. Finally, a little peace and quiet.

"I see you accepted my offer," a masculine voice sent me on my feet. It was the creature I hated with all my heart.

"What do you want from me? Which offer are you talking about?" I stepped back as he slowly came towards me. My heart is racing with apprehension.

"Come on, you know what I want." His tongue came out, licking his lips like he was savoring something special. "I don't have any clues." Speechless, he waves his hand. Three men followed suit, grabbing my legs and arm, preventing me from moving any further.

"Since you don't want me, I want you. Why don't I take what I want, and you also take what you want?".

"Don't think I need that piece of paper you hold with solid praise," I spat, throwing two of his men onto him in an attempt to escape. I ran to the door with my heart beating faster than ever; this was my chance to escape, and I wasn't going to lose it. His men chased after me, but I was faster, throwing my heels to stop them from engaging any further.

I took off with the keys, locking Dave and his men inside the room. I took to my heels, rushing out of the club, not minding the glares and stares that landed on my body. The exit was close, my only hope of survival. "Stop that lady." It wasn't going to be easy losing someone of their caliber. My pace increased, and my legs stealthily took their course to the parking lot. "Search everywhere; this is my chance to get her. Don't throw it away", Dave clung to his fellas as they searched every look and craning of the parking lot.

This wasn't what I dreamed of. I've always lost things; my parents were the first thing I lost, and now they are coming for my pride as a woman. I couldn't lose this, even if it meant death. "I've found her; she's beside the black range." I have to run; I have to survive this crisis; I have to do anything to save myself from the hands of these bullies.

They were everywhere, surrounded by the uneasy looks they gave me. It was a shouldd they were onto me ever since they came to the club. I should have noticed; I should have skipped work. I resent myself for falling into such a trap.

Right before my eyes, he grabbed my neck, choking me with one grasp. I held his arm, trying to ease the strength in his arm, but it was futile, just as I thought. He pushed me, hitting my back on the wall. I groan, wishing for a Savior, even when I know no one cares about me. It was a thing I had with the likes of people. I raised my voice, screaming for help.

His hands moved to my shirt, ripping it with a pull. I covered myself with my arms, but he was too strong, throwing my arms away as he reached for my blouse. Someone help me; I can't lose my pride as a lady. As his hands grazed my blouse, we heard a grunt behind us. He wasn't bothered, but he looked back after several grunts coming from behind.

"Leave her alone; she's mine."