Dark Hearts.

Bastian Monore's pov

"I'm not getting married." I spat looking into my mother's jade green eyes. "It's just not possible. I can't marry just anyone for the sake of the business."

"Bastian, our backs are against the wall right now. I cannot let your uncle swoop in and claim everything that we have worked so hard to accomplish in this family. And that is exactly what is going to happen if you don't step in and take your place as the heir of Monroe Companies." My mother screamed. I'd never seen her so unhinged and ruffled.

Her eyes flashed with frustration and she continued. " You have a responsibility, Bastian. You are my first son. I love you and I have let you run wild for far too long. We cannot do that anymore. It is time for you to come to your senses. You cannot afford to be selfish."

"I refuse to sacrifice my happiness for the sake of tradition and wealth." I retorted, my voice rising. My tie felt like a noose on my neck.

I pulled at it with vigor.

"This is not about your happiness." Mother's voice rose, the control she usually wielded like a knife was missing today.

"And even if it were. We both know you're not truly happy. You go to parties and you laugh with people you can't even call friends. I know happiness and you, my boy, are not happy." Her face was rapidly all shades of red with anger, voice laden with fury.

"I can't let you ruin everything we've built over the years. You will do as I say, Bastain. You will marry the woman I've chosen, or you will be disowned. Do you understand?

It was an ultimatum. I knew my mother wouldn't actually disown me and even if she did cut me off, I still had my own money.

But I loved my family and not being able to see my mother or Marianna again would kill me.

Mother stared at me for a beat, then her fist unclenched and her face softened. She walked up to me, placing a hand on my chest and looking up at me as she delivered the final blow.

"Your father wouldn't want this. He is always rooting for you and he wants you to succeed. He wants you to be happy. But he also wants what's best for the company. Please, help me make him happy in his last moments." She said with tears in her eyes.

I sighed, the weight of my responsibilities settling on my shoulders.

I pulled away from her. "I'll do it. I'll get married."

The relief that shined in her eyes was almost palpable.

"But... don't choose for me. I have someone."

Mother's eyebrows almost touched her hairline in surprise. Her surprise quickly melted into confusion but before she could respond, I stormed out of the study in the family mansion.

I needed to think. Or go for a drive.

I readjusted my tie and put my coat on.

I walked to the garage, got in my car and drove off to the Sweet and Sultry bar in town.

I had to find a solution, if not for myself but for my dad.

******

Melia Rixe's pov

I looked into the foggy bathroom mirror, putting the finishing touches on my lipstick, stepping back to appraise my looks. I couldn't remember the last time I'd applied a proper lip gloss. The woman staring back at me was a stranger.

I managed a small smile at my surprising good looks.

I grabbed my purse, put on my shoes and walked out the door of our dingy apartment. Beatrix was out doing God knows what with Pete, or was that Simos. I wasn't sure. It was hard to keep up with her numerous conquests.

I didn't want to go out tonight but I was fed up with my fuckshow of a life. Dad was dead and gone. Leaving me with an abusive, drug addicted mother, and mounting bills and debts. I almost resented him for it.

At that thought, I felt shame clouding my senses. It wasn't like he chose to die and leave us.

I shook the dark thoughts away, continuing my walk down the street to the bar.

Beatrix was out doing what she did best and I had to seize this opportunity to experience New Yorks' nightlife even if for one night. What better day to do it than today?

I knew I would pay for this in the morning but at the moment, I couldn't care less about the consequences. I'd already survived worse things.

The cold evening breeze felt nice against my skin as it swept my hair into my face.

It has been so damn long.

It felt good to feel the wind in my hair.

I felt my lips ticking up in a smile.

I'm going to have so much fun tonight.

The city was bustling with life, and I could feel the hole at the side of my worn-out jacket letting in the cold breeze as I walked into the Sweet and Sultry bar.

Walking towards the counter, my steps faltered and my confidence wavered. It had been such a long time since I'd been to a bar as a customer and not as a waiter, it was almost embarrassing.

Sophie, the bartender smiled at me, her eyes widening in surprise, "Melia! Oh my God! What are you doing here?"

She looked like she wanted to reach over and hug me but the counter was obviously there.

"How long has it been?"

"A while?"

"Well, what can I get you?"

"Tequila, please."

Sophie's smile widened so much, it was almost comical. She moved in the direction of the fridge that I knew was there. They wouldn't have moved it so easily.

I'd picked up a few night shifts at this bar but stopped when I got a better job.

As Sophie worked, I took my time to look around the bar. It was a loungey, hipster scene with indigo lights and rustic wood accents. The cozy space was starting to fill up and a 90's track was playing through the speakers.

Sophie came back with my shot glass and a bottle of tequila. I took it, shooting her a grateful smile as I tossed it back. I spluttered and coughed, my throat and chest burning.

It has been so long since I'd had this drink, my body had forgotten how strong it was.

"That bad, huh?" Sophie grimaced, looking at my surely reddening slightly.

"Yeah. So bad, you have no idea."

I refilled the glass, throwing it back.

The burn lessened with every shot I took.

Throwing back the sixth shot, I felt a presence behind me. "Easy, tiger."

I stiffened and looked up to a young man with a jawline and goatee. He smirked, eyes darkening as he raked his gaze over my features in a way that made me want to throw up. "I've been watching you throw back shot after shot."

He raised his glass which smelled like beer, sipping it as his eyes pierced mine. "You look like you have a lot on your mind."

I watched as he stepped closer to me, completely frozen.

Memories of that night flashed behind my eyes.

Meia, you're too young to have a lot on your mind.

Help me release my stress and I'll relieve yours.

I shivered.

"Let me help you relieve that tension in your shoulder."

The past and the present were colliding and my vision whitened at the edges.

"It's not why I'm here." I managed through the lump of fear in my throat. I didn't want to come off as rude but I also didn't want to have a panic attack in the middle of the freaking bar.

I gasped as he grabbed my wrist roughly, moving into my personal space so much that I could feel his beer breath on my face.

"Let me convince you." His lips curled into a smile so creepy that it probably scares crow birds away.

No. This couldn't be happening.

"Take your hands off me." My voice was barely a whisper as I stared at his hands tightening on my wrist in horror.

I tried tugging my wrist from him but his grip tightened further making me wince. That was going to leave a bruise.

"Remove your hand from her, or I'll remove it from your arm."

A cold chill jumped up my spine like a blade. The voice sounded unfamiliar but undeniably hot and deep.

I frowned at my thoughts. The tequila was surely getting to my head.

The man, still gripping my wrist, scowled.

"We're in the middle of a conversat-"

Only then do his eyes lift from me to the man behind me. And suddenly, his face pales. The sneer drops from his lips as pure, unadulterated fear bleeds across his eyes.

"My sincere-"

"I don't want your apologies. I want you fucking gone."

The man nodded so vigorously it almost made me wince.

"T-thank you." I utter quietly when the man scurries away in shame. I look down at my wrist, flexing it to make sure nothing is broken.

I was safe. Beatrix wouldn't even notice the bruising. After all, she'd given me many more gruesome ones herself.

The heat of his gaze touched my back. Shit. I inhaled deeply, smelling the woodsy scent coming from my stranger. I stiffened my back, turning my head to look at him. I didn't know where to focus.

Whether it was across the carefully trimmed beard on his well-defined jaw and prominent cheekbones.

Or beyond the dangerously seductive lips.

Or beyond the flawlessly tailored suit that fit him like a glove and polished shoes.

Up to the striking, fiercely penetrating gray eyes

The options were enormous.

"It's rude to stare."

I was startled, unaware that I'd taken so long appraising his looks.

"Thanks for rescuing me."

"Yes, I did." He grunts taking the seat beside her on the bar. "You'll owe me."

"Besides, you looked like you were struggling."

"I was." I muttered, beyond embarrassed.

Sophie, who had strangely disappeared over the last few minutes, returned with another bottle of tequila. I narrowed my eyes at her, watching her take care of the empty glass and bottle on the counter.

Weird.

Shaking off the strange feeling, I poured myself a glass and threw it back again.

"Don't you think you should take it easy?"

I looked over at him, only to find him already looking at me

God, he's attractive.

"Life hasn't been very easy on me." I smiled sadly at the drink in my hand, tears threatening to fall from my eyes.

"You know what?"

"What?"

"How about we forget our problems? Just for tonight."

"That's exactly what I'm doing." I frowned down at my drink.

Maybe I should've ordered something stronger.

He turned, facing me fully and his attractiveness hit me again.

Was it possible for someone to have all the roughest, sexiest, aura? Because this guy had it. It wasn't even right to call him a guy. He was more of a sexy, refined lumberjack in an expensive suit.

"No, it's not. You're thinking... even right now."

He stared hard at my head, "I can literally see the wheels turning."

That got a smile out of me "Okay."

It wasn't often that a stranger told me what to do. But for some reason I wanted to listen to this handsome stranger.

Maybe this was a step in the right direction of forgetting my problems and having a wonderful, excitement-filled night.

And I was determined to enjoy it.