My brothers best friend

Chapter 32: A Close Call at the Club

Chapter 32

Valerie's Point of View

The music was loud, pulsing through my veins as I made my way across the crowded dance floor. It was suffocating, yet liberating at the same time, like the pounding bass was both drowning out my thoughts and amplifying the ache in my chest.

I turned, half expecting to see Jake or maybe Viktoria behind me, their familiar faces grounding me in this sea of strangers. But when I glanced back, all I saw was the endless wave of people moving and swaying, their bodies pressing too close for comfort. A sharp pang of realization hit me: I was alone.

I wasn't sure how I'd let myself get separated. One second I thought I was following Viktoria's blonde hair, the next it was gone, swallowed by the strobing lights. Panic prickled at the edges of my mind, but I forced myself to take a deep breath.

"It's fine," I muttered under my breath. "It's just a club. You're okay."

Still, the unease was hard to shake. I scanned the room again, my eyes darting from one unfamiliar face to another. A bead of sweat rolled down my temple, more from anxiety than the heat of the crowd. I just needed to find someone—Viktoria, Paige, Jake, anyone I knew—and get out of here.

I started to push my way toward the edge of the dance floor, mumbling apologies as I bumped into people. That's when a voice stopped me.

"Hey, are you okay?"

I turned and found myself face-to-face with a guy I didn't recognize. He was tall, with dark hair that fell across his forehead in messy waves and a soft, disarming smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. He was good-looking, in that polished, too-smooth way that immediately put me on guard.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I said quickly, trying to step around him.

But he didn't move. Instead, he tilted his head, studying me like he wasn't convinced. "You sure? You look a little lost."

His tone was gentle, almost too friendly, and it made my stomach twist. I nodded, forcing a small smile. "I'm good. Just trying to find my friends."

"Let me help you," he offered, stepping closer. "What do they look like? Maybe I've seen them."

I hesitated. Something about the way he said it, the way his eyes lingered on me a little too long, made my skin crawl. But I didn't want to be rude, and maybe he was just being nice.

"They're..." I trailed off, unsure how to describe Viktoria or Jake in a way that would actually help. My thoughts were fuzzy, the alcohol and adrenaline making it hard to think clearly. "It's fine, really. I'll find them."

I tried to step away again, but his hand lightly touched my arm, stopping me. "Come on," he said, his voice still soft but insistent. "It's not safe for a girl like you to be wandering around alone. Let me help."

A chill ran down my spine. His words were kind, but there was an edge to them now, something that made my pulse quicken in warning.

"I'm fine," I said firmly this time, pulling my arm back. "Thanks, but I don't need any help."

I turned to leave, my heart hammering as I tried to put distance between us. But before I could take more than a step, his hand shot out and grabbed my wrist, yanking me back toward him with a force that sent me stumbling.

I froze, the breath catching in my throat as I looked up at him. The softness in his expression was gone, replaced by something darker, sharper.

"Don't walk away from me," he said, his voice low and cold, the sweetness completely stripped away.