♥ Chapter 6♥

Asher Bennett.

9:15 PM – Nightclub – Castellano City

Friday.

The taxi pulled up in front of the nightclub, and the moment we stepped out, my expression twisted at the sight of the massive line stretching along the sidewalk.

"This is going to take forever," I muttered, glancing at Nick, who looked even more uneasy as he took in the sheer number of people waiting.

"I think we still have time to go back home and watch a movie," he joked, but I just rolled my eyes.

That’s when I spotted Liam and the others standing in the middle of the line, waving at us.

"Nick, they’re over there. Come on," I said, grabbing his arm and leading him through the crowd. A few people mumbled complaints, but I ignored them.

When we reached my friends, Liam flashed a wide grin.

"Finally! And people say I’m the one who’s always late," he teased, placing his hands on his hips in mock accusation.

"Funny," I shot back, nudging his shoulder lightly, earning a chuckle from him.

That’s when I noticed Sophia was unusually quiet, her eyes locked onto Nick. A small smirk played on my lips as I gave Nick a subtle push, knowing damn well why he looked so nervous.

"Guys, you remember my best friend, Nick?" I said, motioning toward him. "Nick, these are my coworkers—Liam, Jack, and Sophia."

Nick shook hands with Liam and Jack firmly, but when it came to Sophia, he hesitated for a second. His nervousness was almost tangible. He extended his hand, and Sophia smiled softly, taking it with gentle confidence.

"It’s nice to finally meet you, Nick," she said, her gaze holding his.

Nick swallowed hard. I stifled a laugh.

He shot me a glare, already knowing I was enjoying this way too much. Before he could say anything, the line moved forward, and within minutes, we were inside the club.

The pounding music and flashing lights enveloped us immediately. The place was packed, bodies swaying to the heavy bass.

"Damn, it’s really crowded!" Liam shouted, already starting to dance.

"That’s what makes it better," Jack grinned, scanning the room with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Plenty of options."

I rolled my eyes, laughing as we pushed through the crowd toward the bar. We had to squeeze past people, but no one really cared.

"This place is huge," Sophia remarked, raising her voice over the music.

"Yeah, and packed," I replied, resting my elbows on the bar.

"That’s a good thing," Jack added, winking at a passing woman. "More fun."

"You’re impossible," I laughed, shaking my head as the bartender finally noticed us.

We each placed our orders. As we waited, I stole a glance at Nick and Sophia. He was obviously trying to keep his cool, but the way he looked at her said everything. And Sophia? Well, she hadn’t stopped smiling at him.

Oh, this is going to be fun.

"What?" Sophia arched a brow at me.

"Nothing, nothing," I said, grinning like an idiot.

When the bartender returned with our drinks, we grabbed them and raised an impromptu toast.

"To a good night!" Liam cheered, dragging Jack onto the dance floor.

I took a sip of my drink, leaning against the bar. Then, out of nowhere, I saw Sophia pull Nick toward her by the back of his neck and kiss him.

"Holy shit," I muttered, bursting into laughter as Nick’s entire face turned red.

But to my surprise—he didn’t pull away. He kissed her back, even though his nerves were obvious.

"Damn, Sophia’s bold," I whispered to myself, grinning as I respectfully looked away to give them privacy.

Liam and Jack waved me over, calling me to join them on the dance floor. I downed the rest of my drink in one go and made my way to them, feeling the music pulse through my body.

I let myself sink into the rhythm, moving with ease. Liam was already completely lost in the beat, while Jack had found himself an enthusiastic dance partner. We laughed, letting loose, and for a moment, I forgot about everything else.

After a few minutes, a familiar sensation hit me.

"Shit," I muttered. "I need to hit the bathroom!"

I pushed through the crowd, heading toward the back of the club. Spotting a staircase, I climbed up, assuming the restrooms were on the second floor.

The corridor upstairs was quieter, but there were no signs pointing to a bathroom.

That’s when I noticed something strange. A golden plaque, discreetly lit, reading: VIP.

VIP?

I frowned. Had I walked into a restricted area?

Curiosity got the best of me. Instead of turning around, I kept walking. That’s when I saw it—a door left slightly ajar.

My instincts screamed at me to leave, but… curiosity was louder.

I stepped forward, just enough to peek inside.

Four men.

One sitting, relaxed, like he owned the place. Another kneeling on the floor, face bruised, trembling in panic. Two more stood beside him, one gripping the kneeling man’s shoulder in a vice-like hold.

I couldn’t hear what they were saying, but the tension was suffocating.

Then, the man sitting gave a subtle gesture.

A deafening sound filled the room.

A gunshot.

The kneeling man collapsed, lifeless.

My heart slammed against my ribs.

Before I could react, my hand slipped against the door.

A loud knock echoed through the room.

Every head turned toward me.

Shit.

I tried to move, to run, but I never got the chance.

Strong hands grabbed me, yanking me inside before I could take a single step.