SCARS OF PASSION: The untamed hearts BOOK TWO
COLE'S POV
"Come in," I mumbled, eyes glued to the screen. The study door creaked open; Mark, my new chauffeur, stood there.
"Sir, the car's ready," he said, voice polite but firm.
"Almost done," I replied, then returned to wrangling spreadsheets. The truth? I'd nearly forgotten about this blasted get-together. Close friends or not, work called.
As I reached for a tie, Lexi's teasing voice echoed in my mind. 'Why are you wearing a suit in a club? How are you even going to dance in that?'
A grin tugged at my lips. The memory of that night with Chris, Eve, and my sister felt vivid, as if it were yesterday. I opted for a more casual look: black V-neck polo, brown leather jacket, jeans, and suede shoes.
Checking my reflection, I felt a surge of satisfaction. Lexi had a point. I should dress like this more often, outside of business meetings, at least. I gave myself one last appraisal before heading downstairs.
Once the car pulled away from the curb, I scrolled through my contacts, pausing at Lexi's name. Should I call? She'd been out of the country since Chris and Eve's wedding, jetting off to fashion shows around the world.
It's not like I'm stalking her. I just watch a lot of news, I rationalized, a little too defensively. I wonder if she's back yet.
We stopped at a red light. Beside us, a massive billboard displayed Lexi's face, advertising some exotic perfume. My breath hitched. She looked breathtaking, ethereal.
I faked a cough, trying to clear my head. Call her, I decided. Ringing means she's back. Silence means she's still away.
I pressed the call button. It rang, then went straight to voicemail. Busy, maybe?
"We're here, sir," Mark announced. I pocketed my phone and entered the club, the guys' chosen meeting spot.
The manager ushered me to the VIP elevator, bypassing the crowds and leading me to our secluded section. My friends stared, a mixture of surprise and disbelief etched on their faces.
"Not a word," I warned, but Damien, ever the comedian, couldn't resist.
"Oh my God, Cole. You look…stylish. Actually, really good." His comment earned chuckles from the others.
Ignoring their theatrics, I sank onto the sofa.
"What's the occasion, Cole?" Matt asked, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "New girlfriend? Is she the stylist?"
"Shut up, man," I chuckled, pouring myself a glass of Irish whiskey. "Do you have it, Damien?"
"Of course." He pulled a card from his wallet. "Your ticket to Club Nirvana."
"Thanks." I tucked the card away.
The meeting progressed, though "smoothly" wasn't the word. The three of them bickered relentlessly.
Our vantage point overlooked the main floor. I was on my third whiskey when Lexi walked in, alone. A red silk gown clung to her figure, her hair piled in a seemingly effortless messy bun that somehow only enhanced her sculpted features.
She settled at the bar. Moments later, the bartender placed a dirty martini in front of her.
Drink in hand, I stood and leaned against the railing, watching her. She looked tired, worn down. She should be home resting, not here, I thought, a strange protectiveness washing over me.
"Who are you staring at so intently?" Damien asked, appearing beside me.
"The blonde at the bar," Matt added, flanking my other side. "Do you know her?"
"She's a friend," I said simply.
"A friend," Damien echoed with a smirk. I rolled my eyes.
"Well, 'your friend' seems to have attracted some unwanted attention," Drew said, nodding towards Lexi.
I turned. Three men were approaching her. Something felt wrong. Two flanked her while the third spoke to the bartender. My gut churned. I moved towards the stairs, my eyes glued to the scene.
Just as I reached the bottom step, the man on Lexi's right slipped something from his jacket into her drink, a swift, almost imperceptible movement. Calling out would be useless over the music. My men, sensing my urgency, fell in behind me as I practically ran down the stairs.
Too late. She already had the glass at her lips. I clenched my fists, anger simmering, as I approached.
"Lexi," I called. She turned, a flicker of recognition and a smile before she waved.
"Cole! What are you doing here?" she shouted over the music. I wasn't in the mood for pleasantries.
Reaching the bar, I plucked the glass from her hand and handed it to one of my men. "When you take these three to the police, this is evidence."
"Police? What's wrong?" Lexi slurred, her eyelids drooping. The drug was taking hold.
"They spiked your drink."
She stared at me, shock registering for a fleeting moment before she collapsed. I caught her before her head hit the bar and eased her down gently.
My men had the two flanking Lexi cornered. The third bolted, but I tripped him. His yelp was swallowed by the pulsating music. I strode over, planted my foot on his chest, and drove my elbow into his nose. Blood splattered.
"Who the fuck—?" he snarled, clutching his bleeding face.
I crouched. "A friend of the girl you assaulted." Another elbow blow knocked him unconscious.
"Take them to the police," I instructed. "Discreetly. And have this drink tested."
To the frozen bartender, I said, "Get back to work."
"Lexi?" I whispered in her ear, but she was unresponsive. I picked up her purse and lifted her gently. Instinctively, she wrapped her arms around my neck.
"Mr. Mikleson! Mr. Mikleson!"
The club owner and manager rushed towards me as I headed for the VIP exit.
"So sorry about this," the owner gushed. "We'll get to the bottom of it, I promise."
"Good," I said curtly, continuing towards the door.
Once outside, I called Philip, my doctor. "Can you get to the estate in fifteen minutes?"
"Is it urgent?"
"Yes."
"Be right there."
I looked down at Lexi, her face peaceful against my chest. What if I hadn't been there? What if they'd gotten her away? The thought sent a chill down my spine.
The thought alone chilled me to the bone. I pulled out my phone and dialed the police captain.
"Did you get my present?" I asked.
"Mr. Mikleson, you've done it again. Your help has been invaluable to this case."
"What case?" I asked, genuinely curious.
"It's classified, but since you single-handedly apprehended these men, I'll fill you in. They work for a cartel boss, Gonzalez, who specializes in sex trafficking. Ten women have disappeared in the last two months. With these arrests, we're confident we can finally shut him down."
I looked down at Lexi, a wave of relief washing over me. "Thank the heavens I was there tonight," I whispered.