Synopsis: Never expecting their paths to meet again, Emily Thompson, a driven young lady, has a brief one-night affair with the mysterious Logan Evans. When Emily finds out she is pregnant, their casual rendezvous becomes a wild ride of mystery. Initially a startling turn of events, it swiftly becomes entangled in treachery, peril, and sinister revelations. A covert plot connected to her father's unexplained death is discovered by Emily as she tries to make sense of this unexpected turn of events. Emily must uncover the truth about the plot while defending her unborn child, with the aid of strange friends and up against dangerous opponents. Emily battles to regain her life and secure a future for her kid in a gripping tale of betrayal and discovery.
Chapter 1 THE NIGHT WE MET
I could feel the club's bass pulsating through my veins and my skin vibrating with the heavy pace. There were shadows in the packed room as the weak lights flickered. Lost in their world, their bodies moved in time with the music. Even though I wasn't meant to be here, I needed a diversion after the week I had, even if it was only for one evening.
Before he saw me, I saw him. He seemed awkward and too polished among the bustle around him as he stood near the bar. With his suit jacket slung over his arm and his tie undone, it seemed as if he had just left a business conference and had inadvertently strolled into this den of vice. Yet something told me differently by the look in his piercing eyes.
I was unsure of what pulled me to him. Perhaps it was the way he stood there, confidently surveying everyone around him. It made him stand out. Perhaps it was because, in contrast to the other males in the room, he didn't make a big deal out of attempting to attract everyone's attention. Not at all like this dude. I found him fascinating and, to be honest, I wanted to immerse myself in all he had to give because of his aura of dominance.
"I'd like another round," I replied to the bartender, grinning as he gave me a drink. I saw he was staring at me now as I turned to face the dance floor. When our gazes met, the outside world vanished momentarily. All of it faded: the pandemonium, the people, and the noise.
I remained unblinking. Nor did he. His eyes seemed to be staring straight through me, beyond the facade I had worked so hard to create. It made me feel uneasy. I became enthused about it.
Before I realized it, I was approaching him, like a part of me had already decided to go in that direction. With every stride, my heels made a clicking sound as I moved closer to him and whatever this would become. A faint, knowing grin played on his lips as his eyes followed me the whole way.
Has someone taken this seat? My voice seemed more assured than I felt when I asked.
With a silky, deep voice, he said, "Not anymore."
Placing my drink on the bar, I sat down next to him. His black hair, piercing eyes, and jawline that could have broken glass made him even more impressive up close. I was drawn to him because of an intensity that I couldn't quite put my finger on, which made me want to learn more while still keeping my distance.
I tried to keep the discussion light by saying, "You don't look like you belong here."
He had a sly smile. "You don't either,"
My eyebrow went up. "Oh?" Furthermore, where am I supposed to belong?
"Out of here, somewhere far away." His lips met mine, and for a moment I wondered what it would be like to bring the space between us closer.
However, I wasn't this person. I wasn't the girl who let the situation go to her head and flirted with random people at bars. I didn't even know the man's name, yet here I was, leaning in, curious.
"What's your name?" I requested in the hopes that it would help me to become grounded and face reality.
His eyes lingered for a minute, examining mine. At last, lowering his voice to almost a whisper, he whispered, "Logan." "How about you?"
With my pulse pounding in my chest, I said, "Emily."
A tense stillness fell between us, the type that made my skin prickle with expectation. At that moment, I should have realized that this would not be an ordinary evening; rather, there was something unique and perhaps hazardous about our rendezvous.
Emily, what has brought you here? With a tone that suggested he already knew the answer, Logan's question seemed nonchalant but with a hint of sharpness.
With my gaze darting to the dance floor, where people were still engrossed in the music, I said, "I needed a break from...everything." "Life has been a little too much lately."
Despite not asking for any information, he nodded as if he knew precisely what I meant. "A single night has the power to transform everything," he said, sounding almost personally experienced. His gaze became black, a glimpse of something unreadable slipping through.
That was when I should have turned away, thanked him for the drink, and left the club. However, what I really started to wonder was, "And what if I don't want things to change?"
He leaned closer, so near I could detect the subtle aroma of his perfume, which was seductive and woodsy. "We aren't always given an option."
His hand lightly touched me before I could reply; it was a little touch, but it shocked me. It was too late to turn back now. I was careless and unsure of what I was doing. I was only aware of my desire for this. He was what I desired.
I could hardly hear myself above the music when I said, "Let's get out of here," but he heard me.
A slow, sinister smirk curved Logan's lips. After he threw some cash on the bar, he got up and extended his hand to shake mine. I took a moment to compose myself before placing my hand in his. I knew I was in too deep the instant our fingers touched.
I could feel the weight of my choice beginning to sink in as we went outside into the crisp night air, but the excitement overcame my uncertainty. This was a one-time event-a night to just feel without worrying about anything else. No conditions and no expectations. I told myself that, at least.
Anticipation weighed heavily on our silence as we grabbed a taxi. My skin was burning with need as I felt his gaze on me. I had no intention of considering the repercussions or what lay ahead. The present moment was all that mattered to me.
I went with him into his flat without thinking twice when we got there. With a gentle click, the door closed and we entered a night that I knew would completely transform our lives.
I knew there was no going back as Logan turned to face me, his intent-filled eyes blazing. This was the start of something considerably more intricate than any of us could have imagined-it was more than simply a passing moment.
I was also totally ignorant of what I was about to embark on.
Over the rest of the evening, I had no idea how
dramatically this one choice would change the course of my life.
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