Pulled into the shadows

Lily tried to ignore Chris Eaton's piercing gaze as she moved through the crowded club. His blue eyes followed her every move, reminding her of a spy from a James Bond movie—handsome, dangerous, and always watching.

She glanced back at him, their eyes locking for a moment. In that brief look, she could read his silent warning: Don't try. Give up. But Lily wasn't about to back down. She shot him a mean look, her jaw set in determination.

"I'm going upstairs," she told Jude. "Maybe I'll have better luck in the upper VIP lounge."

Lily headed for the stairs, her heart pounding. She was just about to take the first step when a strong hand caught her arm. She looked up, startled, to find Chris standing there, his expression stern.

"Don't do this, Lily," he said, his voice low and firm. "You shouldn't be speaking around with drunk men over here."

Lily tried to pull her arm away, but his grip was gentle yet unyielding. "Let go of me," she hissed, glaring at him. "What I do is none of your business."

Chris leaned in closer, his breath warm on her ear. "Actually, it is my business. You're my wife now, remember?"

A shiver ran down Lily's spine, whether from anger or something else, she couldn't tell. "I'm no such thing to you Eaton… because that contract doesn't mean anything," she insisted. "I'm going to find a way out of it."

With that, she turned and hurried up the stairs, leaving Chris standing at the bottom. As she reached the top, she couldn't help but look back. Chris was still there, watching her with an unreadable expression. 

Her mind raced as she moved through the upper lounge. The thought of being his wife now made her blood boil. How dare he touch her and call her that! She clenched her fists, determined to prove him wrong.

She scanned the room, searching for anyone who might help her. The lounge was dimly lit, filled with the soft murmur of conversations and the clink of expensive glasses. Well-dressed men and women lounged on plush sofas, their laughter tinged with the confidence of wealth and power.

Lily spotted a middle-aged man in a crisp suit, his silver hair neatly combed back. He looked important, maybe even a judge. Her heart leaped with hope. She smoothed her dress and put on her most charming smile, ready to approach him.

"Good evening," she said, her voice sweet as honey. "I couldn't help but notice you from across the room."

The man turned to her, his eyes twinkling with interest. "Well, hello there, young lady. What brings you to my corner of the lounge?"

Lily leaned in, lowering her voice. "Actually, I was hoping I could discuss something with you. It's a bit... delicate."

The man's eyebrows rose. "Oh? And what might that be?"

"I need some legal advice," Lily explained, trying to keep her voice steady. "It's about a contract I signed. I was wondering if you could help me."

The man's lips curled into a smile that made Lily's skin crawl. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a key card. "Why don't we discuss this somewhere more private?" he suggested, his voice low. "I have a room upstairs. We can talk freely there."

He held out the key card to Lily, who stared at it, her stomach churning. This wasn't how she had expected things to go. She hesitated, her hand halfway to the key.

"I... I'm not sure," she stammered, suddenly feeling very young and very foolish.

The man's smile widened, showing too many teeth. "Come now, dear. You want my help, don't you? We can't discuss such sensitive matters out here in the open."

Lily's mind raced. She wanted help, desperately, but something about this felt wrong. Very wrong. She glanced around the room, suddenly wishing she wasn't alone.

Her eyes landed on Chris, still watching her from across the lounge. His handsome face was tight with concern, his body tense as if ready to spring into action. For the first time that night, Lily felt a wave of relief at his presence which also felt very odd as he was actually her enemy who trapped her in a contract. 

She turned back to the silver-haired man, her decision made. "I'm sorry," she said, standing up quickly. "I've changed my mind. Thank you for your time."

…

Lily and Jude made their way to the basement parking lot, their heels clicking on the concrete floor. The air was cool and damp, a stark contrast to the warmth of the club above.

"I can't believe we didn't find a single lawyer willing to help," Jude sighed, fumbling for her car keys.

Lily shook her head, a mix of disappointment and relief washing over her. "Maybe it's for the best. Those men up there... I don't think I want their kind of help." She shuddered, remembering the silver-haired man's leering smile.

"And what's the deal with Chris Eaton following us here?!" Jude shot her a sidelong glance, concern in her green eyes. "It seems like he is tracking you, Lily. Aren't you worried about it?!" 

"Yes, I'm worried about a lot of things right now, Jude," Lily snapped, her voice echoing in the empty lot. "This is not how I planned things to—"

Suddenly, the fluorescent lights above them flickered and dimmed, plunging the parking lot into an eerie half-light. Shadows danced across the concrete pillars, and the air seemed to thicken with tension.

"Jude?" Lily called out, her voice trembling slightly. "What's happening?"

Before Jude could answer, Lily felt a strong hand grab her arm, yanking her backward. She opened her mouth to scream, but another hand clamped over it, muffling her cries. She thrashed against her unseen attacker, fear coursing through her veins as she was dragged into the darkness.

"Lily!" Jude's panicked voice echoed through the parking lot. "Lily, where are you?"

But Lily couldn't respond. Her heart pounded in her chest as she was pulled further into the shadows, away from her friend, away from safety.