Undone (12 page)

"Guess so. I'll see you inside." Sophie pulled out of his embrace and with a parting kiss on the cheek, she entered the club.

Dust wasn't unlike the rest of the clubs in the downtown area. It followed the typical formula of seductively dark dance floors illuminated by seizure inducing laser shows. The pounding rhythm from the subwoofers above emulated a seismic earthquake beneath the feet. And the bar, an open aquarium-like case, located a few feet away from the entrance, housed an array of alcohol to please the writhing masses. But despite its stereotyped atmosphere, there was one thing that set Dust apart from its countless competitors and that was the allure of the stunning waitresses who served a little 'touch me tag' with the very dangerous cocktails they lugged around. The waitresses didn’t card but for that to happen they needed a good tip. Sophie placed a twenty on the tray of passing waitress before grabbing two shot glasses and slamming them back before she could talk herself out of it.

The waitresses were all terribly beautiful
; their willowy bodies expertly painted to resemble the pelts of Africa's exotic animals and dusted with just the slightest bit of gold glitter that it gleamed beneath the vibrant kaleidoscope of colors. They fit the ambiance and Sophie, like nearly everyone in attendance, couldn't help the appreciative glance. Not her type, but she wasn't immune either. She couldn’t honestly say she was into girls, but after weeks of coming to Dust, she’d learned to appreciate the subtle allure of a female body. It was all in the name of fun. 

As
if one of them read her mind, Sophie caught the eye of one of the waitresses, a striking redhead with enough sway and pull in her hips to make any woman envious. She stood about an inch or so taller than Sophie and quite fittingly donned the markings of a giraffe. A very sexy giraffe with a smile as bright as an incandescent lamp.

Almost as though greeting a childhood friend, she reached out and captured Sophie’s wrist, tugging her to the steamy, overly packed dance floor. "Dance with me
,” she yelled over the thrashing bass, not allowing Sophie a chance to refuse her. She slinked behind her, hands settling on Sophie’s hips, pulling her in an embrace that felt like seduction. "You smell delicious, honey." Her accent was delectable. Sophie was a sucker for accents. And when sexy giraffe ran her tongue down the side of Sophie’s neck it was all she could do to keep herself vertical.

The music changed to something a little less techno and a whole lot grinding. They moved in synchronization, slim hips gyrating to the 'fuck me' rhythm
—it was pure primal instinct. Sure, Sophie had never had sex, but that sure as hell didn't mean she didn't know how to dance like it. And when sexy giraffe girl maneuvered around Sophie, coming to stand in front of her, a beautiful face beaming beneath the mirrored-covered disco balls in complete supplication to the music, Sophie couldn't help leaning over to capture sexy giraffe's 'come hither' mouth. Not exactly sure what provoked her to be the aggressor, but far too embroiled in her emotions to care, she tugged sexy giraffe girl close, so close that she could feel the thump, thump of the other woman’s heart or maybe it was her own...?

Sexy giraffe's eagerness became all too clear when she wrapped her arms around Sophie’s neck and dipped her tongue down her throat. The kiss tasted like milk chocolate and roses. Liquid fire tongues, slowly, sensually brushed against each other. Teeth clinked, nibbling, gently suckling on yielding flesh, desperate to get more.

"Come with me?" The redhead breathed against Sophie’s swollen lips, her fingers playing with the hair at Sophie’s nape. Even before logic could penetrate Sophie’s lust fogged mind, they were running through the gyrating, oversexed throng, desperate to find some privacy.

Privacy was a 36 inch wide 60 inch deep bathroom stall with a steel door that didn't quite close shut behind them. Sexy giraffe was on Sophie, her kisses ravishing, her touches maniacal and Sophie mindlessly went along with it, her sanity returning only when the stall door slammed against the side panel startling the lust straight out of her mind.

“What the fuck, Ash?” This from their intruder, his narrowed gaze zeroed in on Sophie’s tonsil hockey partner. He wasn't all that impressive weight wise, but the intimidating aura surrounding him did wonders in getting his point across. The black muscle shirt he wore stretched taut across his sternum as he reached into the stall and dragged the struggling woman out by her arm. “How many times do I have to tell you not to fuck around with the customers?” He shook her hard, no doubt rattling the teeth in her head.

Sophie gathered enough of her senses to try and help, but her efforts were abruptly stopped at the look the other man gave her. It chilled her very bones. "Fuck your bitch on your own goddamn time!" Sexy giraffe
-Ash, glanced at Sophie and her angry gaze softened considerably. She wrenched her arm from her handler's grasp and shoved at his chest. It didn't do much in moving the other man, but Sophie was relieved to see that Ash had regained the upper hand.

“Jesus Christ, Rex! Chill the fuck out!”
she replied with a glower, and then turning to Sophie she said, “Sorry babe, I gotta go. Thanks for the good time, though.” She cupped Sophie’s cheek with one hand, her thumb sweeping gently across Sophie’s lower lip. "Maybe I can call you sometime?”

Sophie licked her parched lips, suddenly ready to escape. "Um…I don’t think that’s such a good idea." She smiled nervously. “I have a…it’s complicated.”

Ash gave her a slow smile. “Say no more. I get it. Too bad, you kiss like a motherfucker. You know where to find me if you ever decide to simplify things.” With a kiss on Sophie’s cheek, she exited the bathroom, the hulking man followed closely behind. The minute they vacated the bathroom a deluge of women anxious to answer nature's call poured inside and Sophie only now realized they'd been alone all this time.

It was with a heavy heart that Sophie finally made it out of the restroom. As she walked through the crowd, it dawned on her what she'd been about to do.

The idea that she'd been so willing to go so far left a bad taste in her mouth. She couldn't even be stupid enough to blame it on the alcohol because she hadn't
drank enough to make her so irrational. Yet it'd felt as though she'd consecutively taken shots of vodka and Ash and the bathroom stall had been the result. Mere seconds more and Sophie knew twenty years of morals and good behavior would've been tossed out the window for a dopamine bliss that would've lasted only minutes.

It scared her that she could lose control so fast. It wasn't her. Her attempt in forgetting old troubles only managed to produce new ones and suddenly Sophie wanted nothing more than to return to her room. Despite that her demons rested within the four walls, her room was a bittersweet comfort she now craved.

Loathed to be accosted by Roman’s endless advances, Sophie chose to exit the club via the back entrance. The frigid February air was a refreshing blast to Sophie’s fevered skin. Opting to keep her coat off, she sighed deeply and strolled down the poorly lit, narrow alleyway. The snow fell in flurries now so Sophie hurried, wanting to get home before the blizzard hit.

It took her only seconds to realize she was being followed, the steady footfalls of her pursuer kept in perfect rhythm with her hurried ones. With the hairs on the back of her neck standing on end, Sophie knew it had nothing to do with the cold and everything to do with instinct telling her to run. Fight or flight. Sophie chose to flee. Her lengthened strides became a full sprint, arms and legs maddeningly pumped to push her to freedom which was an only yards away.

If she made it out to The Strip, someone was bound to help her. But hope died a terrible death the very second she was tackled to the ground. The side of her face scraped the snow covered asphalt.

The pain and cold that jarred her senses were inconsequential in her furious struggles to get away. With limbs flailing
, Sophie quickly exerted herself but could not stop her attempt to buck her assailant off. She made a few satisfying hits before her arms were brutally wrenched backwards, bringing them to the knee digging painfully into her back. Her agonized screams echoed off the walls and were immediately carried off by the whistling wind.

No one came to help.

The pain was so excruciating that Sophie felt her vision blurring, but the harsh breath at her ear kept her from losing consciousness. "Do you have any fucking idea how long I watched you dance with that fucking dyke? Great show you put on." Oh God, Roman. Sophie’s heart stuttered in her chest, her breath quickened.

"Rom…Roman...?"
There was a noncommittal grunt before her assailant, who Sophie knew without the slightest bit of doubt to be the overgrown bouncer, jerked her to her feet. She was brusquely shoved to the nearest wall, her face practically kissing the ice cold bricks.

"I should've known you were nothing but a cock
tease. You're all the same—pretty fucking sluts good for nothing but eye candy." His considerable weight bore down on Sophie, flattening her against the wet bricks. The hard-on he sported pressed uncomfortably against the small of her back. She shifted, attempting to push away, but only managed to arouse Roman even more. "Yeah, baby, that's it. You want this big cock, don't you?"

"Fuck you!" Sophie growled.

"My fucking pleasure, baby." Sophie eyes widened as she felt Roman’s hand in front of her jeans. He popped open the button, then the zipper followed suit and too soon she was standing with her ass exposed to the elements and Roman’s roving hand.

"Get off me, you sick fuck! Someone help! Please help!"

"Yeah, baby, that's it, scream for it. You have no idea how much I'm going to enjoy fucking your little tight pussy. God, I bet you're going to be so tight with my fat dick…” Roman did not have a chance to finish his lascivious comment and Sophie found out why seconds later as she turned around and saw two guys pummeling the rapist out of Roman. The blows raining down on him were so hard that Sophie swore she heard bones breaking.

"Are you all right?" Sophie nearly jumped out of her skin at the hand that settled on her shoulder. She nervously shied away then crumpled to the ground in a boneless heap. Shock, pain and relief meshed together to a form a giant lump that would not leave her throat no matter how many times she swallowed. "It's OK now. You're safe." The one who’d touched her shoulder crouched down with a sympathetic smile on her face.

Sophie gaped. She was beautiful in ways that the moon was beautiful. Ethereal and silvery. Wisps of platinum hair escaped the long braid she had over her shoulder and danced in front of them like plumes of white smoke. Her big cornflower eyes peered at her with a sort of concern she was used to getting from her mom.

"Hey man, stop it
. He's out! You’re going to kill him! ROAN!" Sophie’s head whipped sideways where a man knelt over Roman’s body. The maddening blows he sent to the unmoving body were sickeningly fascinating. He would've continued his efforts, Sophie was sure, had it not been for the other guy yanking him off the unconscious body. "Dude, enough!" He shook sense into him, then stepped away only when he knew it was safe to do so.

Roan finally glanced her way
; their gaze met, held and locked. For an impossible eternity there was only the two of them. He looked just as good as the last time she’d seen him. If anything, he looked even better. He wore navy blue jeans well…a little too well in Sophie’s opinion; her surreptitious gaze trailing effortlessly higher taking further stock of what else Roan Westport wore well. The black polo sweater he donned beneath the knitted scarf did nothing in hiding the broadness of his shoulders or the bulging muscles Sophie could only assume laid beneath.

Mindlessly
, she wondered why he wasn't wearing a jacket in such frigid weather, but that thought quickly evaporated as he approached. The snow crunched beneath his booted feet and when he stood close enough for Sophie to touch his pant leg, he came down to his haunches, reached out a bloodied hand and cradled Sophie’s bruised face.

"You still have a knack for getting yourself into trouble, don't you
, brat?" he asked gently, the slight upturn of his lips turned the insult into an endearment.

"And I see you've developed a hero-complex, Roan."

He shrugged even as his beautiful mouth quirked. "What can I say? I take my Good Samaritan duties seriously. Come on.” He helped Sophie to her feet, lightening quick reflexes caught her when she made to topple right back down. "Easy there, just lean on me." Holding Sophie against him, in his tight, warm embrace, he turned his attention to his friends. "I got it from here, guys. I'll take her home."

"You two know each other?" inquired the pale haired woman, her curious gaze jumping first from Sophie and then to Roan.

"Yeah…she used to be family."

"Used to be?"

"Long story. Do you mind hitching a ride with Dane, Sienna? I know I said my place tonight but…"

The fleeting look of disappointment that passed over
her pretty features was not missed by Sophie, but too quickly, the look was replaced with an understanding smile. "Say no more, I get it. I'll call you tomorrow."

"You sure you don't want us to tag along, Ro?"

"Nah, no worries, Dane. Thanks for the help." He cocked his head back to Roman’s unconscious body sprawled in the tainted snow.

The one he called Dane snorted
. "Right, like you needed it. Just get the kid home, she looks scared to death."

"I would be too, if something like that happened to me. Maybe we should take her to the hospital…"

"No! No hospitals. I'm fine. Thank you for helping me." She did not meet Sienna’s gaze, instead Sophie battled with her quivering hands to get her jeans back up. It proved an impossible task getting the button back into its hole, but finally she managed. She unconsciously burrowed deeper into Roan’s warmth and released a shuddering sigh, blinking rapidly to keep the stinging tears at bay.

"It's all right
, guys, she's had a long night. I'm sure the last thing she wants is to spend another few hours in the ER. She’ll be okay; I'm going to take her home." They departed soon after. With Sophie being in no condition to drive, they headed for Roan’s truck, which he'd parked a few blocks away, curbside, at an out of order meter. He aided Sophie into the passenger seat, making sure her seat belt was in place, before running around to the driver’s side. Once they were safely ensconced in the truck, Roan chanced a glance at the silent girl seated in his passenger seat and frowned, not exactly sure what to make of her.

"I…I know this might be asking a lot, but can I stay at your place tonight?" Roan made a noise which Sophie immediately took for a no. "Um…it's
OK, just take me to the garage and I'll drive home."

"First off, you're not driving anywhere by yourself tonight. And I didn't say no, did I?"

"You didn't say yes, either."

"Well I'm saying yes now, smart ass
,” he grumbled, starting the engine. They drove out of the city in strained silence. The only sound in the cab came from the swishing wiper blades and the heater, turned on full blast. The snow continued its hushed descent on the sleeping city. Luckily for them, the snow plow trucks were working double time to clear the snow before it stuck to the ground. But all the same, Roan prudently stayed to the main roads, driving at a relatively safe speed; he was confidant they'd beat the blizzard.

Quickly his mind worked, wondering if the groceries Sienna had purchased for him were enough to last them through the storm. Sure, Sienna had intended those groceries for a completely different reason, but Roan would make it up to her at a later date. Right now, his goal was to attend to Ellie Holbrook’s oldest daughter.

Roan furtively glanced to his right at the dark haired teen. The frown from before returned, only now instead of wondering what he was going to do with her, he puzzled at the idea of Sophie in a club like Dust and how exactly she'd managed to get in when she wasn't even legal enough to drink.

"I take it your parents don't know you're out
,” he stated, taking a left turn once the light turned green.

Sophie shook her head
. "No,” she said simply, her eyes staring listlessly out the window seeing absolutely nothing.

"Sophie…"

"Don't feel like you have to play the adult here, Roan," she turned and smiled humorlessly, "but then again, you were always the little snitch, weren't you? So desperate to get into my mom’s good graces." Sophie didn't know what provoked the bitchiness, but she was feeling particularly peevish all of a sudden and Roan stood in her line of sight. The perfect target. The night's occurrences and all its frustrations, fears and anger came up bitter, skittering the back of her throat and like vomit, words spewed from her lips. "God, you were sad." She didn't mean it. Any of it!

The muscle in Roan’s jaw worked as he bit down on the retort poised at the tip of his tongue. He would not rise to her bait, though he wanted nothing more than to tell her where to stick it, he refused to bring himself to that level. He understood the reason for Sophie’s belligerence even if the little brat refused to see it. Being held helpless against a wall about to lose one's innocence in a dirty, fetid alleyway was bound to produce some sort of aggression in even the saintliest of people.

Roan, therefore, could not fault Sophie’s need to regain the pride that had been taken away from her tonight. He just wished she wouldn't use him as target practice. But, who else if not him?

Her boyfriend?
his mind derided and Roan immediately pushed the thought away, but then frowned. Yeah, OK, her boyfriend. Where was the self-righteous asshole now? If he were any sort of boyfriend at all, he sure as hell wouldn't let Sophie run all willy-nilly in seedy downtown at this God-awful hour. It just wasn't done. Roan’s hands tightened around the steering wheel. Had he and his friends been a second late…

"Where the fuck was your boyfriend tonight? And what the hell were you doing at Dust by yourself?"
The growl wasn't intentional, but all the same, Roan couldn't help it. Feeling the way he did now, he was capable of practically anything. His thoughts returned to the asshole they'd left behind the club. The urge to turn back and castrate him had him stomping on the gas pedal to drive them further away. If he slowed down, Roan knew, without a reasonable doubt, that he would turn the truck around and commit murder.

"Slow down!"
It was only the terror in Sophie’s voice that brought sanity slamming back to him. Roan glanced at her and the rage instantly melted away like the snow beneath the Good Year tires of his truck. "Jesus, are you trying to kill us?”

"Trust me, it's not you I want to kill," he muttered darkly, taking a deep breath before speaking again. "You should call your parents."

"I'll call them tomorrow."

"You call them now or I take you home
,” he said tersely.

As if it truly pained her to do what was only reasonable, Sophie made a show of withdrawing the cell from the pocket of her jacket, and then dramatically sighed as she pressed a few buttons, her fingers swiftly clicking over the keys. The phone beeped twice before she held
it up. "I sent them a text; they'll get it by the morning. Happy now?"