•Too Close•
The music slowed, the heavy bass melting into a darker, smoother rhythm.
On the dance floor, bodies moved closer together.
Closer than before.
Adrian's hand settled on Lila's waist as he guided her into the crowd.
His grip wasn't rough, but it wasn't hesitant either.
It was firm.
Certain.
Like he had done this a hundred times before.
Lila placed her hand lightly on his shoulder, still studying him with quiet suspicion.
"You trust to quick now don't you," he said over the music.
Adrian didn't look away from her.
"Do I ."
She raised an eyebrow.
"Hmm.. I don't know you tell me."
Adrian tilted his head slightly, watching the way the flashing lights reflected in her eyes.
"Because i believe everyone is not a bad person ."she said
Adrian smirked faintly.
"You just haven't met a bad person yet Lila."he replied
For a moment neither of them spoke.
The crowd moved around them, people laughing, shouting, dancing.
But Adrian's attention stayed completely locked on her.
Every detail.
Every movement.
The warmth of her hand on his shoulder.
The faint scent of her perfume.
The way her pulse fluttered slightly in her neck.
Lila felt it too.
That strange tension between them.
Like the air around them was heavier than it should be.
"You still haven't told me your name," she said.
Adrian hesitated.
He rarely gave strangers his name.
But she helped him and he hates how it makes him feel like he owes her alot .
Names created connections.
And connections created vulnerabilities.
"Adrian" he replied
But something about her made the decision easier than it should have been.
"Adrian."
She repeated it quietly.
"Adrian."
The way she said it made something sharp twist in his chest.
Marcus suddenly appeared beside them again, holding two drinks.
"Alright," he said casually. "I've been watching this extremely intense staring competition for five minutes."
Lila laughed softly.
Marcus handed her a drink.
"Here. Water."
She blinked.
"Water?"
Marcus nodded toward Adrian.
"If you pass out, he'll blame me."
Adrian gave Marcus a cold look.
Marcus grinned.
Lila took the water anyway.
"Thanks".
Marcus leaned closer to her slightly.
"So," he said quietly, "how exactly do you know our very serious friend here?"
Lila shrugged.
"I don't think I know him we've just met once before"
Marcus looked surprised.
"Oh that's fantastic."
Adrian's voice was flat.
"Marcus."
Marcus raised his hands.
"What? I'm just making conversation."
Lila laughed again, shaking her head.
"You two are very different."
Marcus smirked.
"Trust me, he wasn't always this quiet."
Adrian shot him another warning glance.
Marcus only grinned wider.
Then the music suddenly shifted again—faster this time.
The dance floor erupted into movement.
Lila turned slightly toward Adrian.
"Well," she said, raising an eyebrow, "are you going to keep staring at me all night or tell me how you knew my name?"
Adrian didn't answer.
He simply pulled her closer.
The movement was smooth, controlled.
His hand tightened slightly at her waist as the two of them moved with the rhythm.
Lila's breath caught slightly.
Up close, Adrian was intimidating.
Tall.
Broad shoulders.
Eyes that seemed to see far more than they should.
But there was something else too.
Something dangerous.
Not chaotic danger.
Controlled danger.
The kind that knew exactly what it was capable of.
And that realization sent a strange thrill through her.
Marcus watched from the edge of the dance floor, shaking his head.
While her friends cheer "go lila,go lila...goooo lila"
"Damn he's handsome " Becky said
A few of Adrian's men stood nearby, pretending not to notice anything.
But they all noticed.
Their boss never danced.
Never.
Marcus muttered quietly to one of the guards.
"Write this down."
The guard frowned.
"What?"
Marcus nodded toward Adrian.
"Because this is history."
Back on the dance floor, Lila leaned slightly closer to Adrian so he could hear her over the music.
"We've met before... haven't we at the alley remember?"
Adrian's eyes flickered.
"Hmm... Have we I thought you didn't remember?"
She nodded toward the guards watching him.
"I do .. just like it was yesterday."
She smiled slightly.
"You're not very subtle."
Adrian studied her carefully.
She was smarter than he expected.
"You have a good memory then," he said calmly.
"I sure do Mr Adrian?" Lila replied calmly with a smile
Adrian didn't smile.
"Well.isnt that a good thing ." He said
For a moment they continued dancing in silence.
Then Lila suddenly looked slightly tired.
The room seemed to tilt for a second.
Adrian noticed immediately.
His grip on her tightened.
"You're okay."
"I'm fine," she said quickly.
But her voice wasn't convincing.
Marcus stepped closer again.
"Alright," he said. "That's enough chaos for one night."
Lila blinked.
"What?"
Marcus nodded toward the staircase.
"VIP lounge upstairs. Quieter."
Adrian didn't argue.
Without asking, he guided Lila through the crowd toward the staircase.
His hand stayed firmly at her back.
Protective.
Possessive.
Lila noticed it.
But strangely…
She didn't move away.
Upstairs, the VIP section was quieter.
Dim lighting.
Soft music.
Private tables.
Marcus leaned against the bar, watching Adrian carefully.
Something about this night felt different.
Adrian wasn't just curious anymore.
Marcus had seen that look before.
Years ago.
Back when Adrian decided to build his empire.
When Adrian Voss wanted something—
He didn't stop.
And now Marcus had a terrible feeling.
Adrian Voss wanted Lila Hart.
Very badly.
Across the room, Lila sat on one of the velvet couches, looking slightly overwhelmed.
Adrian stood nearby, watching her carefully.
The noise from the club below was distant now.
Muted.
Lila looked up at him.
"You know something?" she said quietly.
Adrian waited.
She studied his face.
"You're the strangest person I've met in a long time."
For the first time that night—
Adrian almost smiled.🖤