You're safe now

Alex's hand was warm and steady as he led me to the dance floor. The beat of the music pulsed through my veins, mingling with the champagne and the thrill of the night. We began to move together, the rhythm guiding our steps.

Alex was a skilled dancer, his movements fluid and confident. He held me close, but not too close, just enough to make my heart race a little faster.

"You're a great dancer," I said, trying to sound casual despite the butterflies in my stomach.

He smiled, his blue eyes locking onto mine. "So are you, Elena. But I have a feeling you're great at a lot of things."

I laughed, feeling a bit flustered. "Is that your best line?"

He shrugged, his grin widening. "It's the truth. What about you? What brings a beautiful woman like you to a place like this?"

I hesitated, still on guard despite the alcohol and the flirtation. "Just needed a break from... everything."

He nodded, his expression sympathetic. "I get that. Sometimes you just need to escape for a while."

We danced for a few more minutes, and I started to relax. But then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw Tyron. He was in a dark corner of the club, kissing a girl passionately. My heart sank a little; I hadn't realized how much I'd been relying on his presence tonight.

Alex must have sensed my distraction. He moved closer, his hands sliding down to rest on my hips, trying to pull me into a closer, more intimate dance. "Hey," he murmured, "let's not let anything ruin our night."

I pulled away, shaking my head. "I need some air. I'll be right back."

I slipped away from the dance floor, weaving through the crowd until I reached the exit. The cool night air hit me like a refreshing wave as I stepped outside. I walked a little distance away from the club, finding a quiet spot where the music was just a distant thump and the streetlights cast a soft glow.

I leaned against a wall, taking deep breaths to clear my head. The night was cool and serene, a stark contrast to the chaotic energy inside the club. I closed my eyes for a moment, trying to collect my thoughts.

After a few minutes, I heard footsteps approaching. I opened my eyes to see Alex coming towards me. He had a concerned look on his face. "Are you okay?" he asked, coming to stand beside me.

I nodded, though I didn't feel entirely okay. "Yeah, just needed a breather."

He reached out to take my hand, but I pulled back, my voice firmer than I expected. "Please don't touch me."

He looked taken aback, then a bit frustrated. "Come on, Elena. You don't really mean that."

"Yes, I do," I insisted, feeling a surge of anger. "Just give me some space."

But Alex wasn't ready to let it go. He grabbed my arm, his grip tight and unwelcome. "Don't play hard to get. A girl like you shouldn't be alone."

I yanked my arm free, my heart pounding. "Let go of me!"

Before I could react further, he grabbed me again, this time with more force, pushing me against the ground. Panic surged through me, but just then, the roar of an engine cut through the air.

A sleek Lamborghini pulled up in front of the club, its headlights casting long shadows. I recognized the car immediately—it belonged to Carmen Steele.

The car screeched to a halt, and Carmen stepped out, dressed impeccably in a sharp suit and tie.

Her eyes blazed as she took in the scene. Without a moment's hesitation, she strode over and delivered a powerful kick to Alex's midsection, sending him sprawling back several meters until he crashed against the wall.

Carmen turned to me, her expression softening with concern. She offered me a hand, helping me to my feet. "Are you okay?"

I nodded, still shaken but incredibly relieved. "I think so. Thank you."

Carmen gave me a reassuring smile. "Good. Let's get you somewhere safe."

She led me to her car, opening the door for me with a protective air. As I settled into the passenger seat, I couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude and admiration for her. She handled everything with such calm authority, and I realized just how lucky I was that she had shown up when she did.

Once she was back in the driver's seat, she turned to me. "Do you want to talk about what happened?"

I shook my head, still processing everything. "Maybe later. I just want to get away from here."

She nodded, understanding. "Alright. Let's go somewhere quiet."

As she drove away from the club, the city lights flashing by, I felt a strange mix of emotions. Relief, fear, gratitude, and a lingering anger. But above all, I felt a sense of safety in Carmen's presence.

After a while, she pulled into a quiet, secluded spot overlooking the city. We sat there in silence for a few moments, the distant hum of the city below us. Finally, she turned to me again. "You're safe now, Elena. No one's going to hurt you."

I nodded, taking a deep breath. "Thank you, Carmen. I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't shown up."

She smiled, a reassuring warmth in her eyes. "You don't have to worry about that. I'm just glad I could help."

We sat there for a while, the quiet night providing a stark contrast to the chaos of the club. And for the first time in a long time, I felt like everything might just be okay.