FLAWLESS

CHAPTER 17

Vincent POV

The night air whipped against my face as I raced down the highway on my motorcycle, a blur of lights and sounds whizzing past me. The roaring engine drowned out the chaos of the city, offering a momentary respite from the turmoil that swirled inside my head. I needed this ride, this escape, to clear my mind and find solace.

San Francisco had always held a special place in my heart, and this time was no different. I came here to see Shanelle, hoping to reconnect with her, to rekindle the flame that had flickered between us. But all I received were words of uncertainty, a plea for time. She needed space away from me, away from the whirlwind that was my life. And deep down, I understood. The world I inhabited was overwhelming and confusing, and she deserved more than that.

I pulled up in front of "The Velvet Lounge," a bar known for its exclusivity and sophistication. The sleek sign glowed with an air of mystery, drawing me in like a moth to a flame. As I entered, the atmosphere shifted. The dimly lit room exuded an aura of luxury, and the tinkling sound of laughter filled the air. The patrons were a mix of well-dressed individuals, their elegance a testament to their wealth.

I made my way to the bar, the polished wood cool beneath my fingertips. Taking a seat on one of the plush stools, I sought refuge in the familiarity of the establishment. 

"Whisky neat," I said to the bartender, my voice carrying a hint of weariness. I needed something strong to dull the ache in my chest.

To my surprise, a woman slid onto the stool next to mine. Her confident demeanor and piercing gaze caught me off guard.

"Make that two, please."

Her voice held a hint of familiarity, and as I glanced at her, I recognized the resemblance she bore to Shanelle. It was unmistakable. This woman was her older sister, Shelby. Shanelle had mentioned her that night on the yacht.

Our eyes locked, and a smirk danced upon her lips. It was something about her gaze as if she can see right through me and know what was going on in my head. 

The bartender placed our drinks before us, the rich amber liquid glimmering in the soft light. I lifted my glass, the scent of the strong drink wafting towards me, mingling with the scent of anticipation. 

"Vincent, right?" She finally asked but without looking at me.

"Yeah," I replied, nodding my head while giving her a straight look. 

"Shanelle told me about you."

The mention of Shanelle piqued my interest, and I couldn't help but wonder what she had said about me. I played it cool, though, keeping my emotions in check.

Shelby angled her body towards me, extending her hand for a handshake. 

"I'm Shelby, Shanelle's older sister. Sorry, we didn't get a chance to get introduced to each other the other night."

I took a sip of my drink, briefly acknowledging her presence before shaking her hand. 

"I know," I said tersely, my voice carrying a touch of coldness.

Shelby raised a curious brow, turning to face the front of the bar again. 

"You do realize that whatever you're trying to make work between you and Shanelle, it's never gonna work, right?"

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut, and my frown deepened. 

Who was she to judge our relationship? 

Shelby tilted her face to see my reaction, a smirk playing on her lips.

"She's not the one for you, buddy," she continued, her voice filled with a strange mixture of amusement and concern. 

"You're way too dangerous for her, and the closer you are to her, the more you're putting her life in danger."

Anger simmered beneath the surface as I glared at her. 

"What do you know?" I spat, my voice laced with frustration.

Shelby shrugged nonchalantly, taking a sip of her whiskey. 

"I know enough to say that you're a walking red flag. And as naïve as my sister is, spare her the embarrassment and stop fooling around with her."

Her words dug deep, and I could feel my patience waning. 

"You don't know anything about me and Shanelle, so why don't you mind your own business?"

Shelby chuckled, her laughter dripping with a hint of malice. 

"Don't you have a fiancée to get home to?" Her words cut through me like a knife, revealing that she had overheard our conversation at Shanelle's penthouse that night.

My eyes narrowed, and I realized that Shelby knew more than I had anticipated. 

"Don't you think you're stepping out of line here? I'd rather watch my mouth if I were you."

A cold look settled in Shelby's eyes as she spoke, her voice laced with a chilling warning. 

"No, I'd rather watch my back if I were you. I'm aware of the fact that your father's cover business has been doing a lot of illegal trading in the black market for the past six years. You sure know how to cover your tracks, but lucky me, I have enough evidence to prove it."

Her revelation struck me like a thunderbolt, leaving me speechless. Shelby's threat hung heavy in the air, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of dread creeping over me. She made it clear that she would expose everything if I didn't comply.

"Leave my sister alone," Shelby commanded, her voice filled with authority. "If I ever catch you with her again, I'm sending that proof to the authorities. Trust me, you don't wanna test me to see if I can really do it. Which I can."

I watched in shock as Shelby stood from the stool, picking up her handbag. Her eyes locked onto mine once again, and her evil smile sent a shiver down my spine. At that moment, the weight of her knowledge and power became undeniable.

"Also, if you don't want your old man to start dealing with his heart attacks because of this, then do us all a favor and keep your distance from Shanelle."

With those final words, Shelby turned on her heel and walked away, leaving me to grapple with the storm of emotions swirling within me. Anger coursed through my veins, mingling with a deep sense of frustration and helplessness. I ordered more drinks, hoping to find solace within the liquid fire, but with every glass emptied, my anger only grew.

I realized then that I had underestimated Shelby, underestimated her knowledge and determination. The game had changed, and I found myself caught in a dangerous web with the stakes higher than ever before.