Thirteen

Chapter Eleven

Over the next few weeks, I kept a low profile, occasionally joining my friend to the dance club to get my mind off things. It was strange to have a sense of normalcy, having no escorts when I got home or Niall around the streets. I had no idea if he was looking for me, but I wasn’t interested in hearing from him if he didn’t care. My friend offered to let me move in, and I made her home mine as well, only contributing rent and tagging along with her the club.

On a night I decided to leave the club early, I made my way back to the apartment, tired and aching from the routine of dancing. I looked up as I pulled my key out to see a Mercedes waiting on the curb, a 13 member leaning on the side. He stood straight as I stopped and gave him a pleading look as he opened the car door.

      “Get in sweetheart. You’re needed.” He smirked at my reluctant face as I climbed in, hoping that I would be able to return to the apartment again. Whatever Niall wanted, I was glad that he didn’t involve my friend in any sort of way. The ride was surprisingly short, stopping after only a few minutes in front of a small house with multiple cars out front. Stepping out, I shivered from the cold as I was still in my dancing clothes, wearing a dress that barely went past my bum. We made our way to the front door and a blast of warmth hit us as we were greeted by Celia, who gave me a hug.

      “It’s so good to see you’re alright darling, Alan and I were relieved to hear that you’re still alive. But enough of that, tonight we have something very important to attend. We’re meeting with a similar gang leader from England, and there’s a chance that someone will be out to get Alan or Niall. That’s where you and I come in; we’re to be by their side for the entire dinner, keeping a sharp eye for anything.” I was quiet as she explained the situation, stopping as she noticed I wasn’t speaking.

      “Is something wrong dear?” She said, her eyes concerned as I sighed.

      “Does it have to be me?” I looked back at her as she smiled and nodded her head.

      “No girl is as close to Niall as you are, and he doesn’t trust but a few people. You’re the one to do it, but you’ll be fine, these things can be fun.” I smiled politely back at her as Alan appeared from one of the room, two escorts immediately standing up when he entered. He gave me a nod as they left, silently closing the door.

      “How come you don’t leave with him?” I asked Celia as she laughed and readjusted her lipstick.

      “I asked him the same thing when we first got married because I was upset that we couldn’t walk in together. Then he finally told me since he was a bigger target he wanted to leave me in less danger.” I nodded as two escorts walked in and motioned for us to leave. Celia took my hand and we walked out behind them, stepping into a beautiful Maserati. We were quiet on the way there; the only sound was the soft engine accelerating as we drove rapidly.

A huge mansion pulled into view as we turned onto a private road, many cars already parked and tons of people pilling into the house. Celia and I parted as soon as we stepped out of the car; part of our job was to make our rounds to weed out suspicious persons. An escort kept his watchful eye on me as I stepped inside the room filled with light, patrons dressed in suits and gowns as they sipped champagne.

Carefully making my way around the room, my eyes darted as I just mainly noticed people laughing and joking from too much drinking. My eyes found Celia, who had attached herself to Alan’s hip, her gaze focus elsewhere as he shook someone’s hand. I turned away, dreading when I would find Niall, walking towards the middle of the room as I tried not to look for him.

Wandering slowly around the growing crowd of people, I felt a hand grab and squeeze my ass. Fuming, I turned around ready to slap the shit out of whoever decided to touch me, only to roll my eyes at Niall. He laughed and yanked me against him, running his hand and grabbing my breast, making me flinch. Smirking, he led me around the room as if he were parading me around to the other guests. It gave me a good opportunity to glance around the room as he talked loudly to other friends.