Chapter 4
The lounge was bathed in dim, pulsing lights as Ariana downed her third whiskey.
The alcohol burned her throat but did nothing to extinguish the smoldering resentment in her chest.
In the center of the dance floor, she moved to the beat in her stilettos. Through the swirling crowd, the caught glimpses of Dominic standing near the VIP booth.
Though nominally her bodyguard, he hadn’t strayed from Mia’s side all evening.
Mia whispered something in his ear, her lips nearly brushing his earlobe. The man who remained ice cold in Ariana’s presence actually blushed.
Ariana laughed bitterly, turning away only to find herself surrounded by a group of privileged playboys.
“Care for a drink, Miss Reeves?”
“Add me on Instagram?”
Tve been dying to meet you. Your reputation doesn’t do you justice.”
Cornered and unable to move, her refusals only attracted more attention. Someone’s hand brazenly slid around her waist.
“Dominic!” she finally called out in frustration.
Only then did he seem to notice her predicament, frowning as he pushed through the crowd. The defined muscles of his arms were visible beneath his black suit, and a single glance from him sent the trust fund boys retreating.
“I almost thought that you are Mia’s bodyguard.” Ariana laughed coldly, wiping spilled liquor from her collarbone.
Dominic lowered his eyes. “I apologize. I didn’t see.”
“Didn’t see?” She suddenly moved closer, her red lips almost grazing his jaw. “Or didn’t want to see?”
Her proximity made his Adam’s apple bob, and he stepped back. “You’ve had too much to drink, Miss Reeves.”
“Don’t worry, once I’m married off, you can protect your precious Mia to your heart’s content-”
Ahhhh!!
Ariana’s words were drowned out by sudden screams erupting from the stage area.
Staff members wheeled out a metal cage containing two massive Tibetan mastiffs pacing aggressively inside.
“Tonight’s special event!” the announcer shouted excitedly. “Shadow versus Blaze–place your bets now!”
Ariana frowned.
Midnight Lounge was notorious for these bloody spectacles and betting pools, but she’d always found them distasteful.
As she turned to leave, the cage emitted an ominous creaking sound-
Click.
The latch had come loose.
Disaster unfolded in seconds.
The larger mastiff rammed the cage door open and lunged directly toward the nearest crowd.
**– Dondly Enemy’s Bride
21.7%
Chapter 4
Amid the screams, Ariana watched as Dominic, without a moment’s hesitation, turned and instinctively rushed to Mia, enveloping her in his arms and pushing her toward the safety exit.
Meanwhile, Ariana stood closest to the mastiff, close enough to see saliva hanging from a massive fangs.
“Ahh!!!”
The pain came without warning.
When the mastiff’s teeth pierced her calf muscle, Ariana vaguely heard the sound of fabric and flesh tearing together. A chunk of her flesh was ripped away, blood spurting forth as she collapsed to the floor, watching in horror as the beast lunged again-
BANG!
The gunshot was deafening.
Then the mastiff dropped instantly.
The last thing she saw before consciousness faded was Dominic, gun raised, shielding Mia’s back, and the ceiling lights spinning into darkness.
The smell of antiseptic.
When Ariana regained consciousness through waves of pain, the first thing she saw was the stark white hospital ceiling. Her calf felt as though it had been branded with hot iron, each breath pulling at the wound.
She turned her head with effort and witnessed a scene outside her door that further lacerated her barely conscious mind.
Mia was sobbing in Dominic’s arms. “Dom, you’re Ari’s bodyguard–how could you protect me instead? It’s all my fault… I shouldn’t have come…”
He strong, elegant fingers gently patted her back, his voice impossibly tender: “Don’t blame yourself, Miss Mia.”
“Even if it happened a hundred times,” he paused, wiping away her tears with his fingertip, “I would still choose to protect you first.”
“Why?” Mia looked up with tear–filled eyes.
Dominic gazed at her, his severe features softening with emotion. “Because I lo-”
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