Night on the town.

Prologue

Nyx

The bright lights of Blood and Bourbon flickered faintly from down the street, casting long shadows on the sidewalk as Nyx walked toward the entrance. The city night was alive with the hum of distant conversations and the click of high heels on the pavement, but for Nyx, it felt like any other night. Another stop after a long day, another drink to unwind. She wasn't looking for anything special. Her friends had insisted on a girls' night out, and as much as Nyx had wanted to decline, the girls had made it clear—this wasn't an optional event.

One drink. We'll even let you pick the bar," Lana had teased earlier, dragging Nyx out of her tattoo shop and away from her comfortable routine of needles, ink, and pie. Lana knew exactly what would sway her, and it worked every time.

Now Nyx giggled with her new co-workers turned friends along the city streets as they walked, enjoying the nightlife. She had recently gotten a job at an old-school diner and rented a booth at the local tattoo shop where she had met Lana, Karli, and Dream. The girls were laughing as she walked silently. This wasn't where she wanted to be. She would have rather been at the gym or cooped up at home reading one of her books like she did every night since she had moved to the city. Lana squealed drunkenly before grabbing Nyx's hand and pulling her in the direction of Blood & Bourbon. Nyx laughed inwardly at the name, it was the boldest thing she had seen in the boring city. 

Now, here she was, stepping inside the dimly lit bar, the air thick with the scent of aged whiskey and leather. The low murmur of voices filled the space, and the warmth of the place wrapped around her like a cloak. And she was struck by the atmosphere: dim lighting, velvet booths, and the faint scent of something metallic in the air. The walls were adorned with different types of masks, weapons, paddles, and floggers.

The bartenders worked swiftly, pouring drinks for a crowd that looked like they had been there for hours, but Nyx could already tell that the place had a certain... vibe. The kind of place where people were drawn in, and no one left until they were ready. It was perfect for a girl who was looking to forget her day and indulge in some much-needed darkness.

The girls danced their way deeper into the building, stopping at the bar and smiling at Nyx, who finally had a real smile on her face. As quickly as her smile grew, it disappeared quicker. Her superpower is stoic, nonchalant even. She looks up to catch the eyes of a bartender so she can order. Her skin tingles, her nipples harden, and her mouth waters simultaneously once their eyes lock. There was something about him that felt familiar.

 "Can I get something non-alcoholic?" she asks as Zane makes his way over to her.

"Of course, beautiful," he says, proceeding to make her drink. He fills a glass with club soda. "Pomegranate, cherry, or strawberry?" he asks, looking at her. Zane's eyes lock onto hers for a beat too long, and Nyx, as jaded and skeptical as she is, couldn't help but notice the almost… otherworldly vibe he was giving off.

"Pomegranate," she says, licking her lips unwillingly to break eye contact. Her eyes scanned the room, instantly spotting Lana, Karli, and Dream near the back, already deep in conversation with some guys who had been drawn to the loudest voices in the room. Nyx smiled to herself, shaking her head. It was good to get out, but she couldn't shake the feeling that her friends were way ahead of her in the "let loose" department.

He leans in just a little too close to hand her drink, the tiniest flicker of his white teeth exposed from his lips is enough to send a shiver down her spine. He leans back over, garnishing the drink with a rose-shaped lemon peel and some mint, allowing her to get a whiff of his scent. The guy's got the whole brooding, sharp-dressed, mysterious energy down to an art. An energy that she wanted to unmask, dissect, and understand. He was unreadable. Zane, on the other hand, immediately picked up on Nyx's energy: her boldness, her unbothered attitude, and the way she carries herself like she's seen it all, which, for all he knows, she has. "You new in town?" he asked as she nodded. "Thank you, see you later," she whispered, zeroing in on her friends once again.

"Come on, sit down!" Lana waved her over as she neared. Dream, grinning with that goofy smile Nyx had known since high school, gave her a thumbs up.

"Alright, alright," Nyx muttered, her lips curving into a small smile as she slid into the booth. "Just don't get too wild without me."

Lana tossed back her drink with a dramatic flair. "We need you to keep us in line! But, I'm calling dibs on the first round."

Nyx just chuckled, but before she could even think about how to prepare for the chaos that was sure to follow, a different bartender slid a drink in front of her.

"On the house," he said with a casual smile.

Nyx blinked, slightly confused. The drink wasn't alcohol, just cranberry juice with a lime garnish. She stared at him for a second, wondering if she'd given him the wrong impression.

"I—"

"Don't worry," the bartender interrupted, his smile softening. "Just a little something to keep you refreshed. I've seen you here before, haven't I?" his name tag read Andrew. 

Before Nyx could reply, she noticed something. A figure leaning against the bar—tall, with dark hair, and that certain edge to him. Her bartender from earlier. His eyes caught hers across the room, a brief flash of recognition in his gaze that made her heartbeat pick up pace.

She quickly turned away, pretending she hadn't noticed, but it was too late.

That guy, with the sharp smile and those unmistakable eyes—he was the one who had caught her attention. She didn't even know why. There was just something about him. The way he seemed to belong in the shadows, like a secret only half-revealed.

She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. She wasn't here for distractions, wasn't here to chase anyone. Not tonight.

But then Lana, a few drinks in, laughed loudly, cutting through Nyx's thoughts. "Who's that, Nyx? That guy at the bar keeps staring at you! Does he know something we don't?"

Nyx rolled her eyes, ignoring her friend's teasing. "Shut up, Lana. You're imagining things."

But deep down, she knew Luna was right.

The guy at the bar—the one with the aura of someone who had seen too much, too quickly—had been watching her. And there was no way she could shake that nagging feeling that there was something familiar about him.

She turned to look again. He was no longer at the bar. Instead, he was walking toward her table, slow but purposeful. Her heart skipped a beat, but she couldn't tell whether it was curiosity or the feeling that she was stepping into something bigger than she could handle.

When he reached their booth, he gave her a slight, almost-knowing smile.

"Are you sure you're okay with that drink?" he asked, his voice smooth and oddly calming.

Nyx raised an eyebrow, the mix of intrigue and skepticism making her voice sharper than she intended. "Excuse me?"

"Your drink." He gestured to the cranberry juice. "It's not what you were looking for."

For a moment, Nyx thought she might be imagining the entire interaction. She hadn't been staring, but when he looked at her, it was like he knew her. Like he was reading her thoughts.

"I—" She paused, unsure how to respond. "It's fine. The other bartender just bought it for me."

He smiled again, a little more teasing this time, before glancing at Luna and Riley, who were deep in their world, oblivious to the tension forming. "Look, I'm Zane. I run this place," he said like it was the most natural thing in the world. "Nyx." I said, nodding, "And I can't let a beautiful woman drink cranberry juice at my bar. Not when the menu's full of things you want to drink. I can make you the same drink from earlier but with alcohol if you like?"

Nyx frowned slightly, not entirely sure whether to be flattered or annoyed. "I'm not here for that."

"Fair enough," he said smoothly. "But I'll call you a cab when you're ready to leave—your friends look like they might need one."

Nyx glanced over at Lana, who was now engaged in some kind of hilarious conversation with Karli, completely oblivious to the fact that they were barely holding it together. Dream noticeably passed out, lying next to her. "They've had a few too many."

Zane gave her a knowing look. "I'm not judging. But I know how these things go. Let me help."

Something about the way Zane spoke felt like he'd seen it all before. He knew what it was like to be surrounded by chaos, to step in and clean up the mess when everyone else was too lost to see it.

Nyx didn't quite know what it was about him, but she knew one thing for sure. She hadn't come here for any kind of distraction—but Zane seemed to be exactly that.

He was about to walk away when he paused, giving her another smile. "And, if you ever feel like a real drink, something stronger, I'm always around." His voice dropped a little lower. "But only if you're ready for more than cranberry juice."

Before Nyx could even process what he meant by that, he turned and walked away, leaving her with that lingering feeling that this was only the beginning of something she hadn't been prepared for. Her thoughts were interrupted by Lana's voice, louder than ever. "Nyx! Are you even listening to me? This guy I went on a date with—"

"I'm listening, I'm listening," Nyx said, giving a distracted wave and taking another sip of her drink before trying to get Dream awoken and hydrated. 

But Lana, of course, wasn't done. "He told me he wasn't into seafood because it made him—"

At that exact moment, the man at the bar turned, his eyes scanning the room like he was looking for something. Nyx's gaze locked with his, and in that instant, she felt her heart skip a beat. He gave her a brief, almost imperceptible nod, and she quickly turned back to her friends, her cheeks flushing slightly. Did he just—?

"Stop, Lana," Karli muttered, slightly tipsy, "I think Nyx just had a moment."

"What do you mean, a moment?" Luna asked, eyes narrowing in playful suspicion. "Who's she staring at?"

Nyx blinked rapidly and shook her head, focusing back on her friends. "Nothing. I was just… I thought I saw someone I knew. Forget it."

Karli raised an eyebrow. "Sure, sure. It was nothing."

"Whatever," Lana smirked. "You know, I think you've got a secret crush on—"

"Ugh, can we drop it, please?" Nyx groaned, but her heart was still thudding a little faster than normal. Stop overthinking it, Nyx, she thought. You've only seen the guy for like two seconds. Focus on the pie in your future.

But the mysterious man at the bar was still on her mind, even as she tried to distract herself with her friends' antics.

A few minutes later, as the conversation had drifted into more irrelevant chatter, Lana and Karl, and the now awake Dream got more... enthusiastic. Karli and Lana were practically hugging the booth's edge, laughing uncontrollably at something Dream had said, while she continued to gesticulate wildly with her cocktail in hand, causing her to spill a little on the table.

Nyx sighed. This is why I don't do girls' nights.

But just as she was about to suggest they call it a night, Lana lurched forward, knocking her drink over with an ungraceful thunk. Karli, tipsy and giggling, slurred something Nyx didn't quite catch.

"I think it's time we go," Nyx muttered, standing up quickly. "Lana, you're getting a bit much—let's get you all home."

Lana raised an eyebrow but didn't protest, instead giving a small hiccup. The rule is that you arrive together so you leave together. "I'm fine, just a little tipsy."

Just as Nyx slid out of the booth to help Lana steady herself, the man she'd seen earlier appeared in her peripheral vision, stepping out from behind the bar and toward their table. He looked calm, almost too calm, as he approached them.

"Hey," he said, his voice deep and smooth, almost like it was meant to be heard in the dark. He had an almost bemused expression on his face as he glanced at Luna and Riley, who were giggling uncontrollably. "I couldn't help but notice your friends might need a bit of... help."

Nyx looked at him with wide eyes. "Uh, what?"

Zane offered a half-smile, his eyes flicking between the three of them before resting on Nyx. "I'm just here to offer a little service. You know, like a good Samaritan," he said, his voice still smooth, unbothered. "I'll call a cab for your friends. They look like they might be in no shape to make it home on their own."

Lana, still giggling, waved a hand lazily. "I'm fine! We're fine!"

Zane tilted his head. "Yeah, no doubt. But they might need a little assistance."

Nyx wasn't sure what to say. She hadn't expected this guy to be… well, helpful. But here he was, offering to call them a cab while her friends were more than a little too far gone to make coherent decisions. She gave him a questioning look, unsure whether to be impressed or concerned.

"Thanks," Nyx said, her voice a little less tense now, though she still felt a bit awkward. "I appreciate it. I'm not sure I could deal with getting them back home without help."

"No problem," Zane replied smoothly. "I'll get the cab sorted."

He reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone, typing something quickly. "And for you," he added, his eyes flicking to the drink in her hand. "One non-alcoholic option on me." He gestured to the bartender, who immediately nodded and went to prepare something for her.

Nyx blinked, a little caught off guard. "Uh, that's not necessary—"

"I insist," Zane said with a smile that somehow made her feel like she was missing a joke. "I'm Zane, by the way. And I'll make sure your friends get home safe."

"Well… thanks, Zane." Nyx smiled back, unsure of what else to say. Her heart was still racing a little from their earlier glance, but she couldn't quite place the reason.

"Don't mention it," Zane said with a wink. "It's the least I could do."

As Zane turned to call the cab, Nyx couldn't help but wonder whether this was the start of something completely ordinary—or the beginning of something far more unexpected. Whatever it was, it wasn't just another night out. She could feel it.

And she had a feeling Zane wasn't just the charming bar guy who'd helped out. There was something more about him that lingered in the air.

But for now, at least, it was just another night out with the girls.

Zane

The night started not unlike any other. The moment Nyx walked into something shifted in the air. It wasn't anything obvious, nothing that the usual crowd would have noticed. But I did. I always noticed. There was something about the way she moved, the way her eyes flicked around the room with that calm confidence like she had no intention of staying for long. She was different from the usual faces that wandered into the bar.

I leaned against the polished wooden counter, cleaning a glass that didn't need cleaning, letting my gaze fall casually over her. She was with three other women, all of whom were loud and full of energy, but She was quiet, a bit reserved, almost like she was already preparing to leave before she even arrived.

I had a knack for reading people—years of practice, honestly—but she was... different. There was an energy about her, something familiar, but not in the way I expected. I'd seen plenty of people pass through these doors, heard their stories, and felt the weight of their lives in the way they carried themselves, but with the quiet woman, it was as if there was a part of her that didn't belong here. Not in the bar, not in this world. But yet, she did. I had recognized Karli and Lana as they were regulars. The other two with them were a total mystery. I had given her her drink and tried to make small talk but she just thanked me and wandered into the crowd.

I'd felt it the moment she walked in, but I didn't have the luxury of staring at her for too long. There was work to do, drinks to pour, and orders to take. But something about her stuck in my mind, so when the usual noise of the bar seemed to fade out, replaced by the sound of laughter and tipsy chatter, I found myself looking back in her direction. 

She wasn't looking at me, not directly, but I could tell when someone's attention had been caught. And her glance? It wasn't accidental. I couldn't explain it. The way her eyes met mine made the air feel... different. And for a moment, it was like the rest of the world disappeared. She looked away quickly, trying to shake off whatever had passed between us. But I couldn't shake it off. Not that easily.

I did what I always did—kept an eye on things. Watched the ebb and flow of the crowd, noted the regulars, and let my mind wander for a bit. But as the night wore on, I saw something that made me shift. The three girls were getting a little too loud, a little too out of control, and she was already looking like she'd had enough.

Not your problem, I told myself. But it was. It always was.

I couldn't help it. She wasn't the type to get swept into the chaos, not in the way those two were. She was calm, cool, and distant, and even though she was here with her friends, she didn't belong in the scene they were creating.

When I saw Lana spill her drink and Karli laugh like a hyena, I knew it was time to step in. I'd made my share of mistakes in this place, tried to play the good guy when it suited me and stayed in the shadows when I didn't. But for some reason, tonight, I couldn't sit back and watch.

I approached their table, focusing on her first. Her eyes met mine again, and there it was—the same subtle recognition from earlier, that flicker of something familiar, but I couldn't place it. I smiled at her, just a small one, the kind that didn't ask for anything but still conveyed that I'd noticed.

Her friends were in their world, oblivious to the reality around them, so I slid into the conversation without hesitation. It was easy to slip into my role here, the guy who helps when things get out of hand, who smooths over the rough edges of a night out. I wasn't looking for anything beyond that.

But then, her reaction—it wasn't what I expected. She seemed... surprised, a little hesitant. Maybe she didn't want to be saved. Maybe she didn't want a drink at all. But I saw something in her, something I didn't see in most people. She didn't need saving, but for some reason, I wanted to be the one to offer it anyway. She wasn't playing along. She didn't want to be part of the mess. It was clear as day. She was stuck in the middle of it, and I couldn't help myself.

I walked over to their booth, keeping my gaze on her. The look she gave me when our eyes met was... unexpected. It wasn't the usual reaction I got. It was like she saw something in me. Or maybe it was just that look of someone who wasn't here for the usual nonsense. She was different.

I couldn't help but grin when I saw her drink—a cranberry juice, of all things. What kind of drink was that for someone like her? It didn't fit. Not in this place, not with the vibe she was giving off.

"Are you sure you're okay with that drink?" I asked, my voice low, smooth. It wasn't some clever pickup line. It was more like I was trying to understand her in some way. She didn't strike me as the type to be fooled by cheap pleasantries or meaningless small talk. So I cut to the chase.

Her response was sharp and cautious, but I didn't mind it. I was used to that. It was the kind of tone I got from people who were tired of the usual games, the meaningless conversations. Nyx wasn't playing along.

"Excuse me?"

I let her voice hang in the air for a moment, feeling her hesitance, her reluctance to even entertain this. I respected it, strangely.

"Your drink." I gestured to the cranberry juice, making sure my tone stayed easy, disarming. "It's not what you were looking for."

It wasn't a question—it was just a fact. I could tell she wasn't here for that. She wasn't even here for the distractions or the noise. She wasn't like the others.

She blinked, caught off guard, like I'd just read her mind. I almost laughed, but I kept it in. No need to make her feel more uncomfortable than she already was.

"I—It's fine. The other bartender just bought it for me."

I nodded, but I couldn't let it go. No way could I let her drink cranberry juice while the rest of the place was buzzing with energy and good whiskey.

I smiled at her, a little teasing this time, one who didn't ask for anything but still told her I was paying attention. "Look, I'm Zane. I run this place," I said casually, like it was nothing. " Nyx," she nodded.

"And I can't let a beautiful woman drink cranberry juice at my bar. Not when the menu's full of things you'd want to drink. I can make you the same drink, but with alcohol, if you like?"

Her frown deepened, and I could tell my suggestion had caught her off guard. But that was the thing about Nyx—she didn't play along, not the way others did. It wasn't annoyance, though. It was more like she didn't want to be distracted from what she was here for, whatever that was.

"I'm not here for that."

Her voice was steady, sure. I wasn't sure if she was rejecting the drink or rejecting me, but I didn't take offense. I wasn't here to make her uncomfortable. I could tell she wasn't the type to be swept away by charm or flattery. No, Nyx wanted something real, something grounded.

"Fair enough," I replied smoothly, keeping it light. "But I'll call you a cab when you're ready to leave—your friends look like they might need one."

I couldn't help but glance at her friends again, who were deep in their little world. It was one of those nights where I knew it was better to step in early before things went south. Nyx, though, wasn't part of the mess. I could see that in the way she glanced at them—like they were the chaotic storm she was trying to avoid.

"They've had a few too many."

I nodded, giving her a knowing look. "I'm not judging. But I know how these things go. Let me help."

There was something in the way I said that, something real. I wasn't just trying to make conversation. I wasn't just offering help for the sake of it. I meant it. It was how I operated here—watching over the chaos, stepping in when needed.

I could tell she wasn't ready for this, whatever this might be between us. But I didn't let it go. I didn't want to let her slip away without at least offering something real.

I turned to leave, but I paused. I couldn't help it. Something was pulling me back to her, some kind of energy that I wasn't used to. She wasn't like anyone I'd met in years.

"And, if you ever feel like a real drink, something stronger, I'm always around," I added, my voice dropping lower, just enough for her to catch the weight of it. "But only if you're ready for more than cranberry juice."

I didn't wait for a response. I could feel her watching me as I walked away. And I knew—this wasn't the last time I'd see Nyx. There was something about her, something that made me want to stick around, to figure out what was behind that guarded exterior.

This was just the beginning. And I had a feeling I'd be seeing her again sooner than either of us expected. For the next hour, I lingered behind the bar serving cleaning, but my gaze still landed on her every chance it got.

I wasn't sure what had drawn me back over to their booth, but I could feel it. The tension between us—something unspoken. Nyx, especially. She was different from the others, more grounded like she didn't quite fit into the usual chaos that surrounded her. She wasn't asking for attention, and that only made her more intriguing.

When I saw her helping her friends, trying to herd the chaos that was her friends, I couldn't just stand by. It's not that I didn't think she could handle it—she seemed more than capable of dealing with her drunk friends—but there was something about the situation that made me want to step in. Maybe I was just used to playing the role of the guy who handled the messes, but something told me she didn't want to do this on her own.

I approached them, taking a slow, calculated step toward their booth, making sure not to interrupt the fragile balance Nyx had already created with her friends. They were still in their world, oblivious to the fact that their drunken behavior might have tipped over into "too much" territory.

"Hey," I said, letting my voice drop low, just enough to catch her attention. The sound of the bar's chatter faded into the background, and everything seemed to zero in on Nyx. It was a kind of focus I hadn't experienced in a while. "I couldn't help but notice your friends might need a bit of... help."

Her eyes widened, and I could see her struggling to place me. Did she even remember our earlier conversation? I couldn't tell, but the skepticism in her eyes was enough for me to know I had to tread carefully.

"Uh, what?" she asked, clearly caught off guard.

I gave her a small, knowing smile, glancing over at Luna and Riley, who were both still laughing uncontrollably at something I couldn't even begin to understand. "I'm just here to offer a little service. You know, like a good Samaritan," I said with a wink, trying to keep things light. "I'll call a cab for your friends. They look like they might be in no shape to make it home on their own."

Lana's response was a lazy wave of her hand like she was still on another plane of existence. "I'm fine! We're fine!"

I tilted my head with a smirk, raising an eyebrow. "Yeah, no doubt. But they might need a little assistance."

Nyx didn't seem entirely convinced, but the way her shoulders relaxed ever so slightly told me I was getting through. She was still guarded, but I could tell she appreciated the gesture. After all, not everyone was willing to step in like this, especially in the middle of a busy bar.

She hesitated for a moment, her eyes flicking over to her friends, then back at me. There was a spark of gratitude, maybe even curiosity, in her gaze. "Thanks," she said, her voice still a little guarded, but it was a step. "I appreciate it. I'm not sure I could deal with getting them back home without help."

"Don't mention it," I replied smoothly, letting the moment settle. "I'll get the cab sorted."

I pulled my phone out of my pocket and began typing quickly. The job wasn't difficult. After all, this wasn't the first time I'd had to help people like this. But for some reason, with Nyx, it felt... different. There was something more here, something I couldn't quite pinpoint, but I could feel it. I'd done this many times, but I wasn't used to wanting to make sure everything went perfectly for one person.

Once I had the cab arranged, I turned back to her, and my gaze caught hers again. There it was again—something about her that I couldn't shake. She was a puzzle, and for some reason, I wanted to solve it.

"And for you," I said, my voice low and smooth, flicking my eyes to the cranberry juice in her hand. "One non-alcoholic option on me." I gestured to the bartender, who immediately nodded and started preparing her drink.

Nyx blinked, caught off guard. "Uh, that's not necessary—"

"I insist," I said, the smile on my face growing a little wider. There was a joke in the air, something we were both missing, but I wasn't going to explain it yet. I was enjoying the mystery. "I'm Zane, by the way. And I'll make sure your friends get home safe."

She gave me a smile in return, but there was something hesitant about it. She wasn't sure how to respond, and honestly? I wasn't sure how to respond either. I didn't usually care if someone wasn't entirely comfortable with me. But with Nyx? I found myself wanting to make her feel... at ease.

"Well… thanks, Zane." Her smile was small, but it was real. It hit me like a punch to the chest, unexpected but welcome. I couldn't place what I was feeling—something like relief mixed with intrigue, maybe even a little excitement.

"Don't mention it," I said, winking. "It's the least I could do."

As I turned to finalize the cab, I felt her gaze on me again. There was something about the way she looked at me like she was sizing me up, deciding if I was worth the effort of getting to know. It was the kind of look that made me want to turn around and give her another wink. But I didn't. I just kept moving, calling the cab, making sure everything was in order.

But as I moved away, I couldn't help but feel the pull of something between us. I'd felt it the moment she walked into my bar, but now it was stronger. Nyx wasn't like anyone else. And as much as I tried to brush it off as just another night at the bar, I knew I was lying to myself.

This was just the beginning. I wasn't sure how or when, but I had a feeling Nyx wasn't going to be an easy person to forget.

And I wasn't sure I even wanted to.