AllFreeNovel
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“You do know it’s going to be packed, right?”
The club we’re going to, Champagne Noir, is known to be the spot on Saturday nights. It’s also athlete night, meaning you get a free drink if you have proof of being an athlete at RLU.
“I’ll be okay. I want to have fun with my best friend.” She squeezes my shoulders, and I follow her out the door and into the elevator. We bid Colin a good night before heading into her blacked-out SUV. It screams safety and privacy, both of which I am here for.
Minutes later, we’re walking into the club, the neon lights flickering throughout the space.
Everything else is black and gold, hence the name of the club. The bar is gold, with black stools, and gold table tops and black chairs fill the space. In the middle is the dance floor, which is made of black glass and gold glitter.
The music is flowing, a remix of popular songs that I love to dance to. We immediately go to the dance floor, joining the crowd that’s already there as we move our bodies to the beat. We spend what feels like an hour dancing.
Eventually, I tell Camille I’ll go and get us some water. While catching my breath, I order two glasses from the bar. I turn to watch Camille when I see it happen from afar.
A guy comes up from behind her and wraps his arms around her waist. Camille freezes, her eyes going wide, her body stilling. I try to push my way through the crowd, but I can’t get there fast enough to prevent him from touching her at all.
As I get closer to her, I see that she’s shoving him away.
“No, thank you,” she tells him, but he doesn’t seem to care.
He starts to move back in on her, but before he can get closer, a tattooed arm pulls him back forcefully. One I recognize from the gala last year.
Ryker.
“No means fucking no,” Ryker grits out, shoving the guy back. “If I see you near her again, you better fucking run. ’Cause if I catch you, it won’t be good.” His chest heaves up and down, his tall stature, tattoos, and shoulder-length hair making him that much more intense.
The guy scurries away, and I take a step toward Camille.
“Camille, are you okay?” I whisper, noting the eyes on us.
She nods, but it’s unconvincing.
“Let me take you home,” I urge, but Ryker steps forward, crowding her body with his.
“I got her. You can go.” The protective tone in his voice gives me chills.
I love moments like these in books, and to see it play out in real life has me rooting for them already.
Camille’s lips part in what looks like shock, her eyes bouncing between Ryker and me.
“I’ll be okay. I want to get some fresh air,” she says.
“I’ll go with you,” Ryker states.
I look at Camille, who’s staring at Ryker with curiosity.
“Okay,” she breathes.
Ryker leans in toward Camille’s ear, where he whispers something. She nods, and then he pulls her into his chest. The way he’s cradling her makes it so that no one can touch her as he moves them toward the front door.
I know bits and pieces about Ryker from Aurora, so I know she’ll be safe with him. Besides, that look in her eyes tells me there might be more there than I’m aware of.
I attempt to find an open chair to relax, when I hear my name being shouted over the beat of music.
“Jay Bay Bay!”
Theo.
I groan, muttering to myself how I’m going to hurt him for yelling that in the goddamn club. His large arms wrap me up in a hug, spinning me around once before setting me back on my feet.
