nst the polished wood of the club's private VIP lounge table. The music thumped through the walls, a steady bass that pulsed

to catch a glimpse of him an

his mind for a long time. He just needed a few months until he would tell her abou

dn't made his intentions known to Claire. Another problem would be her accepting him or reciprocating the

his watch. E

ple Christopher usually had no business dealing with. Their arrangement was simple; Ethan kept an ear to the ground, and in return

Christopher could tell something was off. His eyes darted

pher noted, swirling t

eah. Got caught up in something." He ran a hand t

Didn't realize you were the type

... I don't know, familiar. Thought I'd seen her before." He looked up

y, just lifted his glas

n. "Claire. Cl

ch, unexpected yet calculated in its impact. He

used to be my sister until her Mother got divorced. W

he?" Christ

than asked with a

't need to remind him to talk

l, sh

led up Christopher's spine. "

n I saw her but she left the club alone; she was searching for someone.

ngers tightened

supposed to be one of them. But now, the image of her wandering around in this club and maybe w

demeanor because he smirked slightly.

"I don't." The words were sharp, cu

"Alright, whatever you say. But if you're inte

He didn't need to. The dec

e, Chloe

rce of a thousand regrets. The club's neon lights still danced behind her

blinking against the dim l

el

and her dress was wrinkled, but nothing seemed out of place. Her p

, blinking at the

er voice w

ier's voice, usually lazy and

e. "I... I don't know. A hotel,

e's C

her gut. "She..." Her stomach twisted. The last thing she remembered was Claire sitting b

ping over her own feet.

her throat. Cl

d," she w

the line. "I'm coming to get you

m. Her hands were sha

******

cool night air did little to settle the unease curli

eft a

t to things without calculating every possib

s phone buzzed. He glance

ier wasn't someone who

hristophe

e's mi

? Someone said she went

pher we

m hotel, and she doesn't remember what happened. Claire was with her, but now she's gone. I don't..." H

grip tightened

How did Chloe

rsting with people, drunk and sobered people. Now, she wasn't

hloe say anything about

ng to her now. Mee

getting into his car.

his mind was already work

r people who weren't his problem. But as much

ing had happe

hould hap

take it if anythi

should hap

was goin