Page 2 of Shadows of Rage

“You’re worthless Daniella. Nobody wants a used-up whore like you.”

“If I ever had a kid like you, I would’ve drowned them in the bathtub.”

“We all know that you will never amount to anything.”

Zeke Palmer made every moment of high school a living hell for me. Solely because I didn’t fawn over him like the other girls in school. It’s been six years since I last saw him at graduation and the memory of my childhood trauma mixed with the torture caused by Zeke makes my heart beat faster.

Once again, Leighton pulls me from my thoughts. “Let’s go grab you some water, you don’t look too good.” We walk back over to the bar, take a seat, and ask for two waters. The bartender is sweet with a kind smile. He gives me a second look and then slides a ripped piece of paper over to me. When I look down, I see that it’s an unsigned note.

Meet me upstairs at 10pm.

Second door on your left.

I’m not sure how to feel about it other than intrigued. When I look over to Leighton, I see she’s talking to a few other girls that I somewhat recognize from her birthday party and the self-defense class that she takes on Tuesdays.

I look at my phone and see it’s 9:58pm. My curiosity gets the best of me. I decide to be spontaneous even if it may result in something bad. I quickly stand and scurry through the crowd towards the stairs. I send a text to Leighton letting her know that I’ll be right back. When I get to the stairs, the man standing guard gives me one look and moves aside.Weird…but okay.I climb the stairs slowly, anxiety building deep inside me as butterflies erupt in my stomach with every step I take.What if this is a mistake and I’m walking into my death?I shake my thoughts and keep moving.

I get to the top and see a dimly lit hallway. “Oh fuck, I’m definitely walking into something bad,” I mumble to myself.Moving at a snail’s pace, I walk down the hall to find the second door on the left. I can see a dim light underneath the bottom of the door. Reaching for the doorknob, I take a deep breath and turn it, pushing the door open. I can’t help but gasp at what I see. It’s a large office with a huge black and white marbled desk to my left and a large fireplace ablaze to my right. It’s beautiful. It had to have been professionally designed.

I walk further in and notice a door leading out to the balcony slightly open. Taking cautious steps, I move towards the door and spot a silhouette standing outside. Taking a deep breath, I walk out onto the balcony and slowly approach the person. It’s a man with dark hair and tattoos lining each arm. Suddenly, he turns around to face me and my breath catches.

I’m staring directly into the eyes of the man from the bar, leaving me speechless.

He looks at me for another minute then speaks. “I thought you would be smarter than this.”Did I hear him right? He invites me up here like a creep then has the audacity to say that?He looks me up and down with that same glorious smirk on his face before he speaks again. “I’m not disappointed by your choice though.” Now it was my turn to look him up and down. I choose my words carefully in case he does turn out to be a creep who was just looking to murder me.

“I had my suspicions that it was you after the way you eye fucked me at the bar.”Did I really just say that? Where did this courage come from? I’m usually the type to keep my mouth shut.“Why don’t you just tell me why you invited me up here and stop wasting my time before someone finds us where we’re not supposed to be.”

As the last word leaves my lips, the door to the office creeps open. A tall, burly man stands in the doorway with wide eyes. “I’m so sorry Boss, but there is a disruption downstairs,” he says with a worried look on his face.

“Thank you, I will be down in a minute.” The words shock me. This is the mystery owner that people are always talking about.What the fuck?!The office door creaks shut. I stammer over my words, suddenly unsure of how to form a sentence.

“Y-you…you’re the owner of Black Lux?” Once again he’s smirking.

“Braxton Hayes. And you are…?” I take a deep breath in an attempt to calm my nerves. “Daniella Rossi, but everyone calls me Dani.” He smiles, showing his perfect white teeth. God that smile could make any girl fall head over heels.

“Dani…fitting.” He smirks. “Sorry to leave so abruptly Dani, but I should handle this issue.” He gives me a wink and leaves me standing there in the office. Dumbfounded and a little wet between my thighs.

I released my breath, not even realizing that I was holding it.What the hell do I do? Just leave and act like this never happened?Seems like the most logical thing to do but I’m not feeling very reasonable. I make my way over the desk to find a pen and a sticky note. I’m hoping that I don’t regret this and start writing.

Don’t be a stranger “Boss”

403-591-0438

-Daniella

Maybe he’ll think I’m crazy and not bother. Before I can change my mind, I place the sticky note in the center of the desk and put the pen back where I found it. Walking over to the door, I take one last look at the luxurious space before I walk out and back down the stairs.

Before the door in the very back of the club closes, I see Braxton holding that asshole, Zeke Palmer, against the wall by his throat. I won’t say the shithead deserves it but I’m glad to see it. Letting my eyes wander over to the bar, I find Leighton sitting in the same spot and see that my seat next to her is still open. Making my way over, I give her a quick peck on the cheek and ask if she’s ready to go. Within fifteen minutes, we’re in an Uber on our way home.

Leighton was the first to speak. “Where did you disappear to? I saw your text.” I really hate lying to my best friend but she would kill me if she knew what I was doing.

“I just needed some air so I stepped outside quickly.” The answer seems to be enough because she doesn’t question me further. We arrive back at the apartment and I head straight to the shower to clean off the sweat from dancing. As I stand under the water, I think about Braxton and the way he looked at me with fire in his eyes. His stare alone sent shivers through my body and the thought of him made my knees weak. I hope he finds that note and the feelings are mutual. Even if he ends up just being a distraction, at least he can make me feel things other than pain. I finish up my shower and dry off. Putting on silky pajama shorts and a lacy bralette, I head back to my bedroom. As soon as my head hits the pillow, I fall fast asleep.

CHAPTER 2

Braxton

Goddamnthat girl is filled with fire and rage.FUCKshe’s incredible.

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