How was Alexander going to ask her what the hell she could be thinking without making her mad?
That was the last thing he wanted, but she couldn't possibly want to actually want to go to the club, right?
After what they just experienced, he had a little leeway, so maybe he could ask.
Maybe asking would offend her, and he didn't want to do that either.
Thinking for just a second before opening his mouth, he turned to look at her again.
Her expression was set with excitement because she already knew how this was going to end.
Alexander took in a deep breath before taking his chances.
"Why do you want to go to the club tonight, after everything you heard today" he asked with a genuine tone in his voice.
Ayla was ready with a reply.
"Simple. I've never been able to go. Since I've always been on the run it never seemed like an option".
He looked at her with sympathy.
That was not what she wanted, ever, but she expected it.
She was always playing escape artist, which never gave her a chance to unwind and have fun.
He understood why she wanted to go but the timing really sucked.
"Why tonight"?
Ayla smirked because she had an answer ready for that, too.
"What better time than when I have help and support to make sure that I'm okay while I do" she smirked.
Alexander rolled his eyes.
'For someone with amazing survival skills, she surely has not been displaying them lately' he thought to himself.
As he started rubbing his forehead, with conflicting thoughts, he began to think of everything that could go horribly wrong.
"You do realize that the man from earlier is probably going to be there. In which there is a fifty-fifty shot the other two bozo's will be with him right" he asked.
She just nodded her head like it didn't matter, still wearing her smirk.
All he could do was sit up and pull her into his arms, tight.
He was even more conflicted, because he didn't want to tell her no.
"If I remember correctly, you've been running for some time from them. Now, all of a sudden, you don't care if they see you. What changed"?
Ayla shook her head.
"Oh, no, I care. I don't want them to see me. That part you have mistaken".
He was still confused about the sudden change with her.
"Then why do you want to chance going, letting disaster strike you for a little fun"?
She started laughing.
"What you don't realize is that nothing has changed for me. Just like times before I stayed here, I won't stay cooped up in one spot waiting for those disastrous strikes, as you call them. I will live my life".
He was shocked by her words.
"What do you mean, nothing has changed, everything has changed. You have me. Why should we run toward danger is my point, though"?
She grabbed his hand and gave it a squeeze.
"Exactly, I have you. At one point or another, they will find me. Even here. So, I want to go to the club. If they are there, then we will deal with them. If not, then we have a night of fun" she said.
Ayla started jumping to her feet.
"No point hiding here, letting life pass us by while waiting for them to find us here, now is there"?
He had to admit she had a point.
Ayla knew before she even started talking that they were going.
She just wanted him to think it was because she made a valid point, and not because she beat him with sex.
One way or another, the men chasing her would eventually find her, and she knew that as a fact, so why not live her life a little bit?
Plus, if any of the men were at the club, Julius would have messaged them by then.
Ayla was excited, truly excited, and Alexander liked seeing this side of her!
Excited Ayla was new and fun!
There was almost a glow to her.
She was fun, happy, and making her real appearance for the first time.
For once, she didn't have to be the fierce, strong, strategic girl in order to survive.
After seeing her like that, Alexander had no intention of putting her back in the box for now.
The young woman never got to be a part of the main actions and attractions their town had to offer.
That being said, he would gladly hold her hand as he took her to meet the nightlife that had evaded her for so long.
For the longest time, Ayla would watch from nearby streets and hidden coves as the masses pranced around, drunk and euphoric.
Her imagination would run wild with what actually happened once those magical doors of Scarlett Fever were breached.
It was as if people were swallowed up by the environment that surrounded them once they slipped inside.
Now, it would finally be her turn.
Excitement ramped through her veins to the point that she rushed Alexander out of the door too quickly.
So quickly, in fact, that Alexander forgot his phone.
It wouldn't normally be such a big deal.
In general, Alexander and Julius never used them, and Ayla didn't own one.
At that point in time, the two men were using their phones as a way to keep tabs on the men trying to capture the woman who seemed to have fire in her shoes.
It was like someone set her shoes on fire, and she had to keep moving or they would burn her feet.
She was like a little kid trying to get to the candy shop before it closed.
He adored the anticipation and excitement that drove her and thought she was the cutest person ever, but it would have been nice to have had his phone.
Out of all the bad possibilities so far, that wasn't so awful, he guessed.
One left behind phone he could manage.
What Alexander hadn't realized was that there was a message waiting for him.
Coincidentally, about the same time Ayla rushed him out the door, an 'SOS*3' text landed in his messages.
Neither he nor Ayla heard the ding because the door had already closed.
The two of them were headed straight for one of those disaster strikes and had no real clue.
Is it really living if you don't take any risks of some kind, though?
Ayla felt the flow of energy all around her as they walked through the crowds of people on the streets.
The laughter and cheer that surrounded them were contagious as the couple walked toward their destination.
Hand in hand, they strolled at a leisurely pace, with Ayla adding a small skipping session every so often.
Walking the cobble-lined streets, under the beams of the moonlight, with the dimly lit streetlights, seemed slightly euphoric.
Alexander wasn't fully sharing the same sentiment as they got within sight of the club.
'Getting the heart rate up from time to time is good for the ticker' he told himself.
'I'm only making sure my heart's working, right' he told himself as they got close to the club area.
It was always obvious when they were close to the club because pairs of people would randomly be found making out or inappropriately groping each other along the way at that point.
The closer they were, the more the number of couples increased, as well as the noise of those in the crowds, showing just how intoxicated they were.
Anything he could do to sike himself out, he was trying, due to the rate at which his anxiety was starting to rise with his heart rate.
Ayla looked cool as a clam walking next to him in the moonlight, holding his hand.
It was like she didn't have a care in the world as they continued toward what felt like certain death to Alexander.
He didn't know if it was because he was going as a guest for once or if it was that he was not in uniform this time.
Whatever the reason was, he didn't feel safe.
Maybe it was the fact that there was a chance the person by his side was knowingly headed toward a potentially dangerous situation.
Knowing that, he didn't have anything with him to protect her.
Alexander was mentally kicking himself for not thinking to tell Julius that they were headed up there.
That could have given an extra layer of protection for Ayla.
How come he didn't think about that sooner?
Plus, there was his armor, aka his vest.
It was missing because he didn't take it, and he didn't like it.
All they had to do was go back and get his vest, then maybe he would feel better.
Yeah, that's it, he felt naked because he didn't have his vest on.
Who was he kidding?
She was never going to fall for that.
He realized it was too late anyway, as he was staring at the massive metal building with large red words staring back at him.
The whole building was designed to have no visible windows or doors other than the front doors, so the guests inevitably would lose themselves while inside.
A time vacuum of sorts.
Alexander took a steadying breath.
It was time to bite the bullet, so to speak, and step through the doors so Ayla could get lost in time with him.
Immediately following the crossing of the threshold, a massive feeling hand grabbed both him and Ayla.
Disaster strikes, showing its ugly face once again.
"AAHHHH" Ayla yelled, under the cover of the music.
Thankfully, the music was bumping around them loud enough that it wasn't heard.
Before either of them realized what had happened, they had been pulled behind the bar and under cover.
It was a good thing that the entrance to the bar was right beside the front door.
"What the hell" Alexander yelled.
When he saw Julius, he continued.
"You couldn't even let us get through the door all the way"?
Julius didn't even bother to speak.
He just rolled his eyes before pulling his hand up to get their attention.
With one finger, he pointed to the surveillance camera hiding beside them.
On a small screen, barely bigger than his face, he could see a man sitting at the bar having a drink with two younger men beside him.
"Let me guess, the Coyote Ugly boys from last night, and Dominic"?
His friend nodded in confirmation, chuckling at his description that fit so well.
"I texted you. Did you not get it? I said '3' when I sent it".
He sounded more than a little annoyed.
Alexander patted himself down, even over pockets that didn't exist, before realizing that he had left it in his bedroom.
All attention seemed to then be directed at Ayla, as he raised an eyebrow.
A hand flew to her chest as her eyes got big.
"Hey, don't look at me. I didn't make you leave it behind. It should have been in your pocket".
"Really, you don't want to take any of the blame" he asked.
Her chin raised as she turned it away from him.
"Nope, you're a grown man. I didn't make you leave, and I didn't make you leave your phone either" she smirked.
She was blushing, though, because she knew damn well why he didn't have his phone.
If it weren't for her last-minute desire for a quickie after her dominant couch sex display, his phone would have probably been in his pocket.
Ayla was also fairly confident that Alexander would never say that out loud.
"I see. When the gravity of this situation is over, and we are back safely in the apartment, I'm bringing this back up. I hope you know that" he said with full intentions of doing so.
"Is that a fact" she questioned, "How do you plan on trying to sort this out"?
Julius was tired of hearing the banter between them.
"Okay, okay. I get it. Anyone would get it. Sex, sex, and more sex. Got it. Can we focus now? Thanks. Why the hell are you here"?
"Sex" Alexander said.
Ayla's expression froze.
Julius was not amused as fire seemed to be raging inside him.
If Ayla wasn't blushing enough before, she was fully blushing then.
Alexander was trying his best not to bust out in laughter, remembering the seriousness of the situation.
Alya couldn't let Alexander leave it like he had.
"It's my fault we are here. I thought, if we hadn't heard from you, then maybe they weren't coming. You might have spooked them earlier or something. If that was the case, then why shouldn't I be able to have a little fun? That in mind, I begged Alexander to bring me here".
"Clearly, you thought wrong. Plus, I don't fully blame you. He knows better" Julius said, pointing a finger while addressing both her and Alexander.
He wanted to make it obvious to both of them just how much they messed up, but it was hard as he hovered over the two crouched adults that seemed unsure of what to do.
At the same time, he was unsure how long he could pretend to stand there talking into an earpiece without drawing attention to the fact that they were under the bar.
"When did I become the freaking responsible one? Why are you making me the parent? UUUGGGGHHH" he said as he walked off.
"I think he's mad" Ayla said, sadness creeping across her face.
The only thing Alexander wanted to do now was stop her sadness from continuing to linger.
"Nah, he will be fine. He's just blowing off some steam because he's taking the position I'm normally in. Everything will be okay once we aren't stuck behind this bar" Alexander assured her.
His words seemed to strike a nerve within her somewhere.
When she was teetering over the edge of the waterfall, she told herself she was done running, so what was she doing now?
Ayla had an idea pop into her head.
"Why are we stuck behind this bar? It isn't like they can do anything inside this place".
Worry ran to Alexander's face, unsure what she meant.
"Sure, they can. What do you mean"?
Ayla laughed a little, and it was slightly unsettling.
"No, they really can't. There are too many witnesses. Not to mention the number of bouncers you guys have in here. Plus, they are on the other side of the bar, so I have you and a barricade to add between us. I want some answers. How far down are they from us" she asked, looking at the screen.
Alexander began to panic.
"NO! That is an awful idea. You think Julius is mad now, wait until you put yourself and this club in more danger" he protested.
Annoyance filled her cheeks.
"That's fine, don't help me. I'll just have to take my best guess. I can do it alone, or you can help. Your choice" she said with strength behind her voice.
He knew there was no use trying to stop her after that.
"Take a few more steps over and you'll be directly in front of the one I believe Julius confronted this morning" he said, sounding defeated.
Alexander knew the fierce, strong, determined woman was back.
He took a second to think and added a bit more.
"I'm staying down here as a secret weapon in case you need me".
His face was now planted perfectly in his hands, knowing he just had to wait for the outcome now.
Unsure of what fate he just sealed for himself, he was ready to face whatever came his way.
Just as she went to pop up, Julius came back around.
"A freaking disaster. Every time I turn around, another disaster strikes" he spoke, shaking his head.
Ayla froze.
She didn't know what to do.
"What are you doing" he said sternly.
His nostrils were doing their best not to flare as his lips came together, walking steadily to the spot just in front of the three men.
Unfortunately, but fortunately at the same time, it was unclear who Julius was speaking to.
"Me" Dominic asked.
Looking around, unsure, he kept talking.
"Nothing, just enjoying a drink with the team, guys, men, uhm. Just enjoying a drink. Why do you ask"?
Julius was seriously wondering what he had gotten himself into at that point.
What kind of choices had he made in a past life to earn this curse he was living?
Dominic noticed the stress that the young man carried on his face.
"You look like you have a lot on your mind. I know bartenders tend to hear all of our thoughts, but maybe this once, this bodyguard could sit and listen to another bodyguard's worries and concerns".
Julius looked at him suspiciously.
"I'm just a bartender".
"If you say so" Dominic said, looking smug.
It was a tempting offer, considering what was sitting in front of his eyes, but one he couldn't take up at the moment.
The biggest reason being he WAS the problem, one of them anyway.
Problems two and three were sitting next to him.
"It's okay, it's work stuff that I can't talk about. What about you? You look to have about the same number of problems built up. Care to talk them away while I make you another drink"?
"Maybe, if you want to listen".
Julius was not sure what he had just heard.
"Sure, if you want to talk, I can pour your drink now and listen for a bit".
"Great" Dominic said with his glass lifted.
Phoenix and Raphael abandoned their thoughts of flesh for the evening in hopes of getting more insight about what was going on.
When they saw Julius, they knew from Dominic's actions that he had to have been the so-called boy their leader was referring to.
Even though he was a man to them, that was who had Dominic so confused.
All Raphael and Phoenix had to do was listen and pay attention now.
The night seemed to get more and more captivating as Julius listened to the stories the old man told, about missions and recon.
It was nice for his partners to hear too, because he didn't talk about his past, not even with them.
A life like that sounded amazing and unlike anything he had ever heard of.
How had he done so much with his life, and end up leaving all of that just to be sent to find one young woman?
When the man mentioned talking, he figured that would be what he meant, talking about nonsense, but he was wrong.
Julius was being told this man who life story.
That's when Dominic started talking about the sweet little baby boy that was taken from him so long ago.
At that point, Julius thought the alcohol was getting to him, so he started to take the glass away.
Raphael grabbed his hand to stop him, shaking his head gently.
His sidekick was serious.
"Don't. It isn't because he's drunk. I promise. He never talks about any of this. If he's willing, then let him keep going" Raphael said softly.
Instantly, Julius felt a twinge in his stomach.
This man was pouring his heart out to him, and he had no reason to.
He didn't give all the details, just the ones that a human would be able to hear and understand about his son.
The last thing Dominic wanted to do was scare Julius and turn him away with too many details before he was ready.
Julius was sincere when he finally spoke.
"So, you are here looking for your son"? Julius asked.
Dominic's eyes looked at him questioningly.
"I am, but that's not all. He isn't the only one. Several of our, um, how do I put it? My son wasn't the only one taken. There were a lot of kids taken, and I have been looking for all of them. The only thing is, my son is more important than any of them".
That made sense to him.
If he had a mission to find missing children, and his was one of them, he would prioritize his own, too.
As he thought about it, he wanted to ask questions too.
"So, if you found your son, would you keep looking for the others"?
Dominic knew it was important to answer right, but honestly.
"That would depend on several factors. If it meant harming them, then I would protect them. I wouldn't stop looking for them because they all deserve to be found. There is more to it than I can tell you right now. Just know they all need to be found, not necessarily returned".
Julius glanced to where his friends were, trying not to make it obvious, and saw them listening carefully.
"It sounds like finding them is complicated. Why"?
Dominic didn't know how to describe it.
"It's a long story".
Julius wasn't done with his questions, though.
"You talk so freely in front of them" he said, pointing to Phoenix and Raphael, "Do you trust them that much"?
"That one" he said, pointing to Raphael, "I raised as my own. His father died when he was an infant. Phoenix has been by my side nearly as long, seeing as they are best friends. I trust them with my life and my secrets" he started.
It was at that point, Dominic realized a different pack of wolves had just entered the club.