Chapter 34
Hayden was all business. By the next morning, he’d snapped up the villa right across from the Zimmerman place and Brought Yasmine on tarz out. “If you need anything else, just let me know,” he said, waving a hand at the rooms.
Yasmine looked around and smiled, “It’s perfect, Hayden. I don’t need a thing.”
But Hayden shook his head. “We need a piano. Didn’t you used to love playing?”
She pursed her lips and replied softly, “I haven’t played in ages.”
Being near the Zimmerman residence always stirred up old memories, and she needed to clear her head. Changing the subject, she said, “Hayden, how about taking me out for a few drinks tonight? My treat, to celebrate the new place.”
Hayden nodded. “Sounds good. Let’s go to Allure.”
Allure was Hayden’s latest project. In just three months, it had shot to the top of Beliston’s bar scene. Celebrities were regulars there, and the place was buzzing. Yasmine had heard all about it and was happy to check it out.
Half an hour later, Yasmine sat in the booth, glancing around and remarking, “This gaudy gold decor? So typical of you.”
Hayden had always been a fan of flashy gold. Back in the day, he’d parade around in the most ostentatious outfits, covered in gold jewelry. The attention he drew was something Yasmine could never quite forget.
Hayden just grinned and went to fetch the new signature drink from Allure.
Bored with sitting, Yasmine decided to wander around and see what else the place had to offer.
As she turned the corner, someone suddenly grabbed her and pinned her against the wall. The man’s breath, thick with alcohol, washed over her. “Help me,” he slurred. “I’ll pay you.”
Yasmine looked up. The guy was undeniably handsome, with sharp features and bright eyes, but his flushed cheeks and unfocused gaze told her he was drugged.
She raised her knee and hit his groin with perfect precision.
“Ugh!” The man crumpled to his knees, the pain bringing him back to his senses just a bit. He looked up at her beautiful yet cold face and froze.
Yasmine leaned down. “Sorry, but my fists don’t come cheap.“/
The man, Nathan, chuckled. Despite her temper, he found himself oddly intrigued. He tried a different approach. “Could you at least call an ambulance?”
Yasmine gave him a sideways glance, clearly uninterested in helping.
Seeing her hesitation, Nathan blurted out, “If you don’t help me and I lose control and hurt some girl, you’ll be an accomplice.”
Yasmine froze mid–step at his words. She narrowed her eyes and muttered, “What a
mess.”
With a quick twist of her wrist, she dragged Nathan into the nearest booth and tossed him onto the couch. She reached up, plucking a hairpin from her
hair.
The dim light made it hard to see her movements, but Nathan caught a flash of something cold and metallic. A dull a annoying than painful–and he couldn’t help but groan softly.
“Shut up,” Yasmine said, her voice flat. “You’re giving me a headache.”
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ead through his hand–more
Chapter 34
Nathan was speechless, but he still did as he was told. Within minutes, the flustron his face faded and the strange, mellan feel
Yasmine watched him for a moment, then dropped the hairpin on the floor and walked out without another word
“Wait,” Nathan paused for a short while and called after her. “May I know your
“Save it,” she interrupted. “We don’t need to know each other.”
