Daring to Live

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the

e to come with me because I don't plan

llowing my best friends to pull me rig

ll of sweat, sex and alcohol melded in a mix of euphoric smoke that was released into t

college. It's so

s we danced to the music and let it wade over us. It was reassuring to know that we had Luke and William

me and did the same. The moment was euphoric, the energy of the crowd fueling my excitement all the more. T

of us as we shared a knowing look. The famous girl group's song had never failed to push us into action,

an unspoken pact had been created between

found the space to begin the familiar choreography which earned us

ers and screams engulf me as I moved, grinning as I noticed the space that had been cleared to allow us t

end, my breathless, tipsy friends and I huddled together a

to request a dance no doubt. I could tell some of them were trying to recall where they had seen Ca

y return to the VIP area

drunk men that had started to surround us. I tried to keep my anxiety at bay as I kept my head down. It was an ingrai

Just one dance! You see

rd to grab my arm which he squeezed tight enough to make me win

You need to remember everything you've learnt and the st

k the fuck off before

nken man with a glare I was sure would make him question his actions. His drunken friends seemed to tak

id you say to my

the present where a clear threat was coming towards my friends and me. I knew well enough that the girls could take care of themse

pite the fact that my reputation needs to be sq

She said to bac

the agitated man with Yara standing beside me, supportive as ever. Ani hung back, as always, shielding Calli from any

the enraged man before me who now had four of his friends beside him, including the touchy assh

cking w

oice I hadn't heard in quite some time spoke up just as William and Luke finally emerged from the gathered crowd and s

e before I cut it out of your

and threatening, the silent anger laci

led-angry scowl

were stupid enough to try and bully me. Everyone knew I was off limits, and that was mainly because of

they just made...Like all the bullies and corpor

owd surge during your dance, and we los

to grace my lips as I shook my head in response, grant

We're okay so that'

er gaze fixated on my

s and the stranger's gazes fixated on my wrists before they turned to glare at the culprits who

oing to wreck your life. You will b

despite the calm delivery of his words. He was

r made emp

ed as I and the drunk assholes were. It was almost as if t

f drunk assholes. Not worth our time. Let's go cont

ured his view from the men. We were already garnering a lot of

the morning ne

d to be holding their breaths as I was. We didn't have to wait for too long, though

rellina. They are

men, some of whom seemed relieved by our retreat. Touchy asshole was, however,

e meaningless when they were the ones slutting themselves out t

e handsome bastard beat us to the punch, quite literally. His fist slammed right into

and other partygoers unaware of the scandal brewing. The incredibly handsome stranger towered over the bleeding man, rolli

ercy she proffered you? But no matter. I am going to show you why you should have

down and prepared to land a number of blows on the man w

s enough. He's

apologizing profusely not only to us but to my brother and his companion I now knew as Raiden. The two men glan

ad...Jonah is go

the VIP area whilst the rest of the crowd was distracted by the two hulking bouncers who had just appear

s ready to throw hands but I never thought tho

turned out now that we could process everything wi

s personal life as private as possible and has an incredibly low profile. To think he would assault a man, le

ed by their shared knowledge of my brother's companion. Calli seemed to notic

n't know who Ra

d at the news- genuinely stunned by my lack of knowl

ou are h

d of agreement from Aniyah

istent social life apart from our hangouts, I r

nd Military Contracts sector. Hattori Enterprises owns so much more, though, and have ventured recently into investing in the Real Estate and Enterta

alked into the room beside my older brother, the two seemin

is is Harper Romano- the reason behind our little surprise party- and these are her friends- Calliope Castellanos, Aniyah Serrano an

h her phone instead. She and my brother had Never gotten along and their arguments were always pret

u just had. I assure you that the men responsible will be dealt with. In the

d to perk up at the news, much to my brother's annoyance. I chuckled sile

l I came back to New York but I'

e, earning one of his rare but dazzling smiles that was

orry the night started out so roughly but I promise, we are going to have fun t

act that he was here, with me tonight was enough, everything else be damned. I was happy to simply

speak beyond a silent greeting but something within me knew that there was a shift. That he was a man to

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