CHAPTER THREE: THE DEADLY ENCOUNTER.

The car glides smoothly along the busy streets of Washington D.C., the engine's hum a soft backdrop to the thoughts swirling in Sienna’s mind. She sits by the window, her eyes following the blur of buildings and city lights outside, but her mind is stuck in a place she can’t escape—two weeks ago, back in the chaos of the nightclub.

The memory grips her as she casts a sideways glance at the man sitting next to her. He’s engrossed in his phone, fingers moving swiftly across the screen, probably handling one of his multi-billion-dollar deals with ease.

Noah King. Impossibly handsome, with a sharp jawline, defined by the faintest shadow of stubble that adds to his rugged authority that’s hard to ignore. His dark hair is impeccably styled, though a rebellious strand has fallen across his forehead tonight.

His intense blue eyes, currently focused on his iPad, make it easy to imagine how they could freeze someone when they finally land on them.

Dressed in a suit that hugs his broad shoulders and tapers at the waist, every inch of him exudes power and control. He’s the youngest CEO in his industry, a man who effortlessly commands respect, whether in a boardroom or on the streets. Deals worth millions are just ticks on a checklist for him. Wealth, sophistication, and danger—he embodies all of them.

But even Noah’s commanding presence can’t keep Sienna’s mind from drifting back to the incident at the nightclub.

***

Two weeks ago...

The nightclub was alive with flashing lights and bodies moving in sync with the heavy, thudding bass. Wealthy patrons lounged on velvet couches, drinking, laughing, and trading secrets like they were currency. Expensive liquor and smoky haze filled the air. The room vibrated with so much happiness that seemed like a mockery of the reality outside.

KAYOL was the kind of place where deals were made in dark corners, and indiscretions were forgotten by dawn. It was the city’s playground for the rich, the dangerous, and the reckless.

Sienna moved through the crowd carefully, balancing the tray of drinks, her pulse quickening as she neared the VIP room. She’d worked here long enough to know that stepping into one of these rooms wasn’t always about serving drinks. Power ruled here, and people like her were nothing more than pawns in a bigger game. The skimpy dresses they made them wear barely covered anything, a reminder of how easily they were exposed to the whims of the elite.

She pushed the door open, her stomach twisting at the scene inside.

The VIP room was a disaster—glass scattered everywhere, voices clashing in the chaos. Ethan Howell sat in the middle of it all, calm as ever, sipping his coffee like it was just another Wednesday. His blonde hair was a mess, but that only added to his charm, masking the danger that lurked beneath those hazel eyes. Everyone knew about him—how he always got what he wanted, how Arden, the nightclub owner, let him get away with everything because Ethan paid enough to make the trouble worth it.

Sienna had always managed to stay clear of guys like him. Men with that kind of reputation were trouble, and she couldn’t afford to be caught up in that mess. But that night... it was inevitable.

Mia was on the floor—Sienna’s best friend—curled up, blood seeping from the corner of her mouth, trembling from whatever they’d already done to her.

Sienna froze, rage and fear colliding inside her.

Before she could fully process what was happening, a bodyguard raised his hand to strike Mia again. Without thinking, Sienna stepped in front of her, shielding her from the next blow.

The bodyguard stopped, his hand frozen mid-air, glancing back for orders from Ethan. Sienna couldn’t see Ethan’s face, but she heard the disdain dripping from his voice as he addressed Arden.

“How dare your waiters behave this way?” Ethan’s voice roared. “One spilled wine on my guests, and now this one thinks she can interrupt.”

With a gesture from Ethan, the bodyguard didn’t hesitate. He slapped Sienna hard across the face, the sound loud enough to be heard outside the room. Pain radiated from her cheek, but before he could hit her again, Mia scrambled up from the floor, desperate.

“What are you doing?” Mia shouted, pushing Sienna toward the door. “Get out of here! You’ll only make things worse!”

She shoved the bodyguard with all her strength, making him stumble backward, nearly colliding with Ethan. It was enough for them to make a run for the exit.

But as they reached the door, a strong hand caught Sienna’s wrist. Ethan pulled her back, his eyes gleaming with interest, his touch possessive, his gaze stripping her down as if she were a prize. His voice was disturbingly calm as he spoke. “What do we have here? Maybe she can make up for this mess. Let’s say, keep me entertained and happy for the night?”

Arden shifted awkwardly, glancing between them. “She’s just a waitress,” he muttered. “She doesn’t... sleep with the guests.”

Ethan’s grin widened, ignoring Arden’s feeble protest. “Is that so? I think she can make an exception.”

Panic set in as Sienna felt his hand begin to tug at her dress. She tried to shove him off, but his arms were like anchors, holding her captive as her pulse thundered in her ears.

He didn’t budge, his strength overwhelming hers.

Sienna attempted a second time to squirm away, but his grasp tightened, leaving her feeling trapped and vulnerable. Just as he began to tear the fabric, Mia screamed.

“No! Take me. I’m the one who spilled the wine. She’s still a student. Please, just let her go.”

Ethan didn’t care. His fingers gripped the edge of Sienna’s dress, ready to rip it apart when suddenly, the door to the VIP room swung open with a force that silenced everyone.

Noah King stood in the doorway, his presence dominating the room like a storm. His icy blue eyes swept over the scene, landing on Ethan and Sienna with a look that could kill. He didn’t need to say much—just one calm, deadly command.

“Enough,” he said, his voice dripping with authority. “Let her go.”

Ethan hesitated, but he let go of her wrist, a cold sneer twisting his lips as he backed off. With a glance at Arden, Ethan left the room, but the trouble was far from over.

Noah didn’t say a word to Sienna, just turned and walked out, leaving her standing there, dazed.

The next thing she remembered was waking up in the hospital, Mia sitting beside her, pale and tired.

“He sent someone to bring you here,” Mia said softly, her voice full of worry.

“Who?” Sienna asked, though she had a sinking feeling she already knew.

“Noah King,” Mia whispered.

***

Back to the present...

Noah’s name lingers in her mind—heavy, dangerous. The man who had saved her. Or had he merely delayed whatever storm was coming?

Now, Noah sits next to her in the car, too engrossed in his world to realize just how much he’s changed hers.