Hidden Pasts | 18+|

01

Anastasia's POV:

The deep red velvet curtains and elegant gold accents around the stage of the VIP lounge in Club Erotica drew your eyes to the dancers on it. Us. The bright lights illuminated our figures and sparkly black outfits which didn't do much to cover us up as our bodies moved in time with the music. I could see dollar bills flying towards us, some $10's, and even some $100's. 

"Wow people have a lot of money to waste," I thought to myself "I definitely don't belong in their rich world."

"Keep 'em coming boyssss!" Victoria shouted as she swayed her hips and caught the eye of a rather mysterious man, who appeared to be the bodyguard of an even hotter and somehow more mysterious Greek God looking ass. His eyes were stone cold and his face was emotionless as he traced my every movement. He looked dangerous, but somehow I didn't care. I was intrigued by this man.

He had dark brown, almost black hair that cascaded down his perfect features. It was like he was memorising every inch of my body like I was a piece of art. His knuckles were bruised, his white dress shirt was rolled up to his elbows and the buttons were half undone, exposing his large, and impressive figure. My blue eyes raked their way down his torso to find his hands stuffed in his pocket with veins tracking up his forearms and disappeared under his sleeve.

"Why do you have to tease me like that bro?" I shrugged off his stare and tried to rack up as much money as I could so Victoria and I could pay this weeks rent.

We weren't the richest girls but we were getting there.... Slowly. No one ever told us that being lawyers in the beginning stages was so damn expensive. Not to mention, in New York. And even though lawyers are supposed to earn a lot of money, they don't when you lose a case.

Henry Lawson killed his wife and 3 daughters and I had to defend him whilst pleading his innocence... how the fuck was I meant to win that?! The last words that he said to me was "Watch your back Anastasia Hill, I'm coming for you when you least expect it." His breath reeked of alcohol and it made my stomach churn as I recoiled from his vicious touch. His bony fingers twirled around my hair and his lips made their way to my ear. I was disgusted. He was coming for me. I didn't know when or how but he left no room for error. He sounded certain of it.

My mind was drawn back to reality as my eyes left the strangers, and I felt an uneasy feeling that I just couldn't shake. I looked over at Victoria and I sense that she felt it too. We looked at each other and then towards the audience, still dancing as if nothing was wrong. My eyes darted over to the two men and saw them both reach into their belts to pull out what appears to be a gun.

My breath hitched as I felt a tight grip around my arm and I was dragged off the stage, nearly dislocating my shoulder. I heard the voice that I never wished to hear again. He sounded even more evil and violent then he normally was. I could always talk him down, but today was different. Today was not like the other days. He looked like a completely different person. I mean, after what he did to his family, I'm sure he went down a dark path.

"Please Henry, let me go. I'm begging you" I screamed and cried in pain.

"Shut up you useless bitch, I told you I was coming for you but I guess you were too stupid to listen to me" he sneered in response.

The unmistakable feeling of cold metal pressing into my head silenced my whimpers and made me shiver in angst.

"Don't move your mouth or I WILL shoot you in your pretty little head" Henry threatened as he chuckled menacingly, clearly high or intoxicated.

He was pushing the barrel of the gun so hard into my temple that I felt blood run down the side of my face. My fingers reached up to wipe the blood but quickly fell away as his arm wrapped around my neck and started to suffocate me. He began to run towards the exit but I struggled to keep up as I was being dragged by the neck.

Bullets flew through the air as people started collapsing.

I felt my captors body go slack before a bullet pierced through my delicate skin.

"That dick used me as a shield!" I clutched my stomach to try and stop the bleeding as I heard panicked screams erupt from all directions. A wince fell out of my mouth before the corners of my vision started to blur.

A deep husky voice sounded from behind me, "MEDIC! SOMEONE CALL AN AMBULANCE! NOW!" These were the last words that echoed through my brain as the world faded into darkness and my thoughts began to wander.

Sebastian's POV:

I clutched her motionless body against mine as I demanded people to get this poor girl some help. I did this to her - how could I have done this?! I kill people everyday for a living, so why do I feel awful about her getting caught in the crossfire? I didn't even know who that man was but he sure as hell wouldn't have gotten past me. The way she trembled in his grip made my heart tighten and my fingers pull the trigger on anyone who got in my way. My fingertips made their way to her neck, feeling for a pulse. There was a faint pulsation, and I let out a sigh of relief.

"Bro, what the hell happened? My girl was hit as well!" Sawyer asked as he carried the other dancer towards me in his arms. I noticed he was watching her all night, as I was watching my girl's body tease me with every move. She knew I was staring but still continued to do so. She was confident. Beautiful.

Sirens were getting closer to the bar as the front doors slammed open to reveal several paramedics and stretchers coming though the double door.

"I've got her taken care of sir, you can let go now" the paramedic reassured.

"No. I've got her" I said as I watched her beautiful face drain of all colour, signalling that her state was deteriorating quickly.

Both of our girls were taken to hospital and Sawyer was left shaken up. I never knew my best friend, and notorious playboy would ever fall in love with a girl. But today was filled with miracles.