Chapter 14: Chapter 14

ESTRELA

"You don't owe me anything," I whisper.

"Are you sure?" he murmurs in that damn sexy voice in my ear. His hand, which was previously on my hip, now slowly moves down and under my shirt. The contact of his touch on my bare skin makes me tremble.

"Kian...not. The ointment," I try to say. He just grins and approaches my lips instead.

"I want to hear your moans again," he growls, brushing his lips delicately over mine. He squeezes me even tighter so his body is pressed against mine and I can feel every muscle. "Touch me," he groans. I'm blushing. Kian notices my embarrassment and grins before shaking his head. "I don't mean my cock, I mean my body... Oh, kitty. What's going on in your pretty head? So innocent on the outside, but I saw through you," he whispers in a deep voice. "Come on, touch me!" he demands. God, he's so sexy!

"You shouldn't call me that..." I choke out quietly. Kian tilts his head mischievously.

He lowers his lips to my neck and begins to breathe: "Barrel" - kiss. "Me" - kiss. "To" - kiss. A stifled groan escapes his throat as I place my hands on his bare chest. "Yeah, go on..." he growls as he continues kissing my cleavage. I feel the strong abdominal muscles that twitch under my touch, notice the goosebumps that cover his body. Arriving at the tantalizing V, which I am tracing at length, he moans and leans his head on my chest. "God! If your touch feels so good. How does your hand feel around my cock?" I get hot - very hot, at his words. And I don't know what's on my mind right now, but I want to make his vision come true. So I put my hand on his member, which is still covered by the fabric of his pants. "Fuck!" His blazing eyes bore deep into mine. Kian puts his big hand on mine, which I have on his middle. As he begins to move my hand up and down, I feel the moisture between my legs. The gesture is so hot that a moan escapes me. Hopefully hear us... shit! My father! Oh God! I yank my hand from his and stand up with a start - so hard that I slam against the locker behind me and, heart racing, look at Kian, who looks up at me in amazement. which I have lying in its midst. As he begins to move my hand up and down, I feel the moisture between my legs. The gesture is so hot that a moan escapes me. Hopefully hear us... shit! My father! Oh God! I yank my hand from his and stand up with a start - so hard that I slam against the locker behind me and, heart racing, look at Kian, who looks up at me in amazement. which I have lying in its midst. As he begins to move my hand up and down, I feel the moisture between my legs. The gesture is so hot that a moan escapes me. Hopefully hear us... shit! My father! Oh God! I yank my hand from his and stand up with a start - so hard that I slam against the locker behind me and, heart racing, look at Kian, who looks up at me in amazement.

"My father!" I gasp. Kian raises his eyebrows.

"Your father?" he repeats confused.

"Well, after all, it's one floor above us!"

"That's really a mood killer right now, kitty," he grins. He runs his hand over his bare chest and rubs it.

"I have to go." Kian stands up and approaches me.

"You want to run away. Now? I've got a huge boner in my pants," he growls, resting his hands on the locker above me.

"We can't mess around here while my dad's up there. Imagine if he burst in here!" I snap at him. Kian doesn't seem to understand the seriousness of the situation. I never want my father to know about Kian and me.

"You're so uptight." He pushes off the locker and turns his back on me.

"I'm not uptight!" I hiss.

"Yes you are, kitty."

"Don't always call me that!" I'm getting angry. He acts like he doesn't care!

"You finally put your hand on my cock?" His eyes flare up aggressively.

"Yes, but you pulled me onto your lap!" He laughs like he thinks it's all funny. "You are such an asshole!"

"Thanks, I hear that often." Arrogant ass!

"If that's the case, you should think about why."

"Listen, kid! You're the one who gets me hot all the time with that innocent act. You're just as hot for me as I am for you!" I bang my hand against his broad chest in anger. "Look, the kitten is probably pulling out its claws," he laughs. Is he completely kidding me right now?

"You have a huge problem, Kian! You're not only aggressive, you're lashing out wildly. No! You're also being disrespectful!" For a moment something like remorse flared up in his eyes. But that went away as quickly as it came. He takes another step towards me. But I back down. "I'm leaving now!" I turn on my heel and exit the dressing rooms to go up the spiral staircase to where my dad's apartment is.

"Dad?" I call out to him, but get no answer. Please don't tell me he's not here now? I try to call him, but only voicemail answers. Man, today is a really shitty day!

"Daddy not here," Kian grins as I come back down the stairs. Kian laughs.

"He's not answering his phone!" I growl in annoyance.

"Your father is in Vegas every Wednesday," he says calmly. I turn to him questioningly. Vegas?

"What's my dad doing in Las Vegas?" Kian sighs.

"He's at Caesars Palace." Caesars Palace is a popular Las Vegas hotel and casino. What is my father doing there? And why is Kian only telling me this now, then we could have saved ourselves the previous discussion.

"What's he doing there?" I ask Kian suspiciously. A very bad feeling is spreading through me. Isn't my dad playing? "He can listen to something now," I hiss angrily.

"Estrela..." he growls, ignoring my previous question. "You don't want to go there, do you?" Kian asks me in disbelief, who has meanwhile put on a shirt.

"Yes I want to and you don't care about that!" Upset, I want to set off, but a strong grip on my wrist prevents me from doing so. "Let me go!"

"No! Estrela, you won't go there!" he says sternly. Apparently Kian knows more than he's letting me know.

"You know what he's doing there," I say my guess out loud.

"This place is not for you!"

"So what! I want to know what my father is doing there and that's why I'm going there now and you can't stop me. Now let me go right now!"

"No! You can also ask him about it tomorrow," Kian growls menacingly. I doubt my dad is telling me the truth.

"Kian!" I warn him.

"It's not easy for you to get in there if you like to think," he claims, letting go of my wrist.

"Where do you want to get that from?!" Kian clenches his jaw.

"Are you planning to go?" He surveys my outfit, which consists of any pair of jeans and a white shirt with a leather jacket.

"Yes." I lift my chin.

"Then you can forget about it." I draw my eyebrows together. "There is a so-called dress code there," he explains.

"That won't be a problem. I own clothes."

"You're so stubborn," he growls, running his hand through his hair angrily.

"Then that's settled and I can go."

"I'm coming with you!", his voice stops me. I look at him angrily.

"No you will not."

"Estela, you have no idea what you're getting yourself into."

"Oh, but you?" I fold my arms in front of my chest in frustration.

"Yes, indeed. And believe me, if I come with them, they'll definitely let you in."

"Fine," I relent, just for him to take me to my dad. He nods, but I know he doesn't like it. "How long does my father stay there?"

"I don't know, it varies. Usually until midnight." What? Why does my father spend so much time there?

"Fine, pick me up a little after eight. And if you don't come, I'll find a way there myself." With these words I finally turn away from him, while I still hear his angry cursing.

At home I quickly get in the shower. In the closet, I then rummage for something suitable. I decide on a black floor-length dress with sequins. I tame my hair by twisting it into curls and then applying light make-up. Relief washes over me when my front doorbell rings and Kian appears and... Wow. Kian wears a black shirt that fits him perfectly, along with dark black dress pants. I can't help but stare as it's an unusual sight to see Kian so "fancy".

"Ready?" he asks me grumpily and lets his eyes wander over me for a moment. His jaw is clenched so tightly that his cheekbones stand out. Still unable to get a word out, I just nod. Damn, I have to recover from the sight first. Kian in such an outfit is a stunner and definitely a rarity.

I'm about to grab my ballet flats when he stops me. "You're not going to wear the?" he asks, raising an eyebrow.

"Yet." Kian rolls his eyes.

"You don't come in there with flat shoes. Wear high heels." Oh man, and I thought I could bypass them. I like high heels, but my feet start to hurt after an hour in them. I pull out my black high heels that match my dress.

"Let's go."

KIAN

I just signed my own death warrant. As soon as I show up there with Harrison's daughter, he'll kill me himself. Damned! Estrela is stubborn. I could say whatever I want, she would just question it more. I already know her well enough to judge that she would not give up and would go there even without me. But I certainly won't allow that. I'd rather have her father kill me than let her go there alone.

"Let's go," she says. I follow her pretty pissed off. This day is a disaster and I have a feeling it's only going to get worse. I look at Estrela from behind. She looks amazing in this floor length black dress. Her hair is twisted into curls and her face is adorned with a little make-up. She is beautiful. No matter what she wears.

"I thought you could only come in with a tuxedo?" she claims. She stops in front of my car. Her eyes fly critically over my outfit. But I could already see the sparkle in her eyes as she looked at me earlier.

"I'm coming in. It doesn't matter what I'm wearing!" I reply coolly.

"Ah see. Fine sir comes in everywhere," she hisses. I look at her before grabbing her wrist, backing her against my car and cradling her between my arms. Her green eyes sparkle in surprise.

"Pay attention, little one. If you want to get in there, then you should better stop saying such things and listen to what I tell you! Do we understand each other?" I growl.

"Let go of me immediately!", she hisses and doesn't even respond to my threat.

"Wrong answer," I laugh. "You have no idea what you're getting yourself into. So if you run out of there crying later, I'm not the one who's going to comfort you! I warned you. You now have a chance to turn around, return to your apartment, and to forget all that. You. Have. The. Choice!" Her eyes continue to glare at me evilly.

"You've only increased my curiosity with that, Kian. And as long as I don't know what my father is doing there, I won't sit still," she replies. I lower my head and give a short laugh before looking deep into her eyes.

"And if I told you, would you stay here?" I ask her. I can already imagine your answer.

"How do I know you're telling me the truth? Or that my dad would? I realize whatever he's doing there, he's a secret. I know my dad. He would never tell me more ! He's always been like that. Even though I haven't seen him in eleven years!" I just nod. Her answer was as expected. So I move away from her and go to the driver's side. I watch as Estrela takes a deep breath and then settles into the passenger seat.

"Your father is going to kill me," I mutter.

"I didn't ask you to come with me." She gives me an annoyed look before I start the engine.

"Believe me, if you went alone, you would have run away screaming after five minutes!"

***

"Wow," says Estrela, looking at the large hotel. I stop in front of the entrance area. Immediately one of these porters comes running and opens the door for her. Another guy appears on my page.

"Mr. Warren," he greets me when he recognizes me. "We didn't expect you today."

"Yes. It was all very spontaneous." I glance over at Estrela, who is staring at the entryway and ignoring our conversation.

"I will announce you, then you can go to him immediately. Who is your companion?"

"An acquaintance. Her name is Estrela Clark," I mutter.

"Okay... Please follow me." I go to Estrela, grab her waist a little too roughly and pull her with me. I hear her gasp in surprise. I follow the henchman inside. Ignore almost everything. Estrela, on the other hand, examines everything.

ESTRELA

I look at everything with wide eyes. Wow, the name of the hotel and casino lives up to it's name. Because in here it really looks like an ancient Greek palace. The man who greeted us at the front leads us to the elevators, but before he asks us to go with him, he briefly apologizes as he has to announce us first. "I have two guests here," says the brown-haired, somewhat, lanky guy into his phone. "Kian Warren and a Miss Clark" There is a moment of silence as the other speaks. "Yeah... That's fine, boss," he ends the conversation with whoever. I feel Kian's grip tighten around my waist. I look up at him questioningly, but he doesn't look at me. Oh God. Suddenly I don't feel good anymore. Who was this guy talking to? And what is my father doing here? "Come." The guy pushes the button that calls the elevator. He'll appear in a few seconds. Since I don't move, Kian pulls me into the elevator. My heart is racing like crazy.

"There's no going back now," Kian whispers in my ear. The man presses a button before entering a numeric code that I can't see from here. Then the elevator starts moving. I can feel him moving down. My nervousness mounts as the elevator opens with a Pling. Completely different from above, everything is kept very dark here. The light is dimmed and a gloomy atmosphere spreads. I realize that the area down here is not for normal visitors. Kian and I are led down a long hallway with multiple doors on each side. For a moment I pretend to have heard a groan. But Kian pulls me with him so quickly that I stop thinking about it. At the end of the hallway, there is a monstrous door. Dark Palace is engraved on the dark door. What the hell is this? I have never heard of this place.

"Are you okay?" Kian whispers in my ear. His eyes are wary on me. I nod, even though I want to scream no out loud. But I brought this on myself.

"Have fun!" The man opens the door and immediately hot air and loud music blow towards us. My mouth opens. It's kind of a nightclub here. But a very special one, as you can see at first glance. Everything is kept dark. Dark seat cushions, a dark bar. The club conveys a dark and erotic atmosphere. Lots of people hang out here. Most of the visitors are men. The conditions, on the other hand, seem to be women only. And what they wear scares me. They serve the guests in nothing but lingerie. Around many tables there is a pedestal with a pole, where even fewer, clothed women move provocatively to the music and men follow them with dark eyes. Where am I here? That has absolutely nothing to do with this place upstairs. While the hotel and casino up there all look so beautiful and holy, down here it is literally hell. I remember the brief but clearly heard moaning in the hallway. This isn't a secret sex club, is it? No, that can't be true. My father would never...

"Estrela", Kian's voice sounds right next to me. "That's not why your father is here," he points to the half-dressed women. Relief floods through me, but is immediately eaten up again by doubt. "The club is owned by someone your father works for," Kian tells me.

"For whom?" I ask him. He clenches his jaw and scans the club. He doesn't answer me. "Where's my father, Kian?" I ask more forcefully. I look around, can't see my dad anywhere. The warm air makes me sweat and the smell of alcohol fills my nostrils as a condition passes me with a tablet. I was about to reach for a glass when I spotted something on it that made me cringe. No! That can not be. I must have been wrong. "Kian...why did that waitress have white powder on her tablet?" I look after the waitress in panic. Without answering, Kian leads me to the bar and orders a water.

"Estrela. Look at me!" He demands seriously. With my heart still racing, I look into his gray eyes, which this time don't quite calm me down as they usually do. "No matter what you see here, your father is here for other reasons." Looking deep into my eyes, I nod, although I'm on the verge of panicking. After all, it's not every day you see cocaine being served to guests. Kian was right. If I had gone without him, I would have fled after five minutes. Kian hands me water, which I empty in one gulp. He also ordered something. However, his order consists of no water, but a shot, which he empties on Ex. "Come on. The Boss doesn't like to wait," he replies coolly. He grabs my waist again and leads me through all the booths, where the guests sit and the women dance around them. I'm shocked when a couple of dancers greet Kian and guests seem to know him too. But he ignores everyone. Even when a dancer stands in our way, strokes his chest and scrutinizes him with a lascivious look. She seems to be completely oblivious to me. We arrive at the back. Two men as wide as cupboards guard a door. Kian stops right in front of them. as wide as cupboards, guard a door. Kian stops right in front of them. as wide as cupboards, guard a door. Kian stops right in front of them.

"Warren," he says coolly to the one man. He nods and speaks into his radio. He nods and goes over to pat him down. When he's done with him, he wants to turn to me. "She's clean!" Kian growls immediately.

"These are regulations. We have to scan them," says closet one, as I have christened it, emotionless.

"It's okay," I say to Kian. I don't want to make a fuss now. He clenches his jaw and lets the man, who seems to consist only of muscles and skin, have his way. Finished feeling, he nods to both of us and closet two opens the door. With shaking hands and a racing heart, I enter the large room with Kian. The difference to the other area is that no music is played here. But the smell of cigarettes is all the more in the air. My eyes cling to the wide table at which five men are seated, including my father, who is staring at me. He looks at me with a mixture of anger and concern. Kian, who is standing next to me far too quietly for my taste, is stabbed by my father's looks.

"There are our surprise guests!" sounds a deep voice that sends goosebumps all over my body. A man who was sitting at the head of the table got up. I hold my breath as the attractive dark blond man with bright blue eyes approaches Kian and me. His tall frame is dressed in a tailored suit, with a royal blue tie that perfectly matches his eyes. He's tall, even a bit taller than Kian, but not overly muscular in build. His eyes flash. His eyes fixed directly on me, he comes closer and closer. He is unbelievably beautiful. With those striking facial features, thick brows and full lips. I guess he's in his early thirties. He stops right in front of me. " It's an honor to meet my best man's daughter!" I glance over at my father. Who is about to get up and storm over to us. My eyes return to the man who should be the boss. His attention is on only on me." You are a beauty, Estrela. May I introduce myself? My name is Gabriel Callahan." I almost thought I heard Kian snort. Mr. Callahan, cocks his head at him briefly and grins in amusement. Then I feel Gabriel Callahan's hand on mine. He leads "She meets her sensuous lips and places a gentle kiss on the back of my hand. I'm getting goosebumps again. And I can't yet tell if I should find them pleasant or terrifying. His blue eyes seem to pierce me." Grinning, he turns to Kian after he's finished staring at me. "Kian. My second best man," he laughs like it's a joke and pats him on the shoulder. Kian looks at him without that emotion. Only his clenched fists tell me he doesn't really like the Boss, apparently. "Sit down. What would you like to drink?" this Callahan asks us with a toothpaste smile.