I run down the hall from the cell where Declan has kept me for the last 2 months. I am barefoot and in a white lace nightgown with dirt and bloodstains all over it. I turn a corner and stop.

I am standing in a large open space with two cream couches that could fit 4 people each and two light blue armchairs with a mustard yellow and navy blue rug underneath a glass rectangular coffee table.

I do not stand there gawking to the well-decorated sitting room for long before I am sprinting for glass sliding doors that lead onto a deck.

The deck is slick with raindrops. I carefully sprint across the deck and down the stairs into well-mowed grass.

I stop when I see a figure standing right in front of me. I get into a defensive pose but soon realize it is Rose. "Rose?" I ask in a rough unused voice.

"Brooke," she exclaims and wraps me up in a hug that I could melt in any other time but right now I need to get out of this town and to my family in Los Vegas.

"I need to get you out of here before they realize I helped you escape," she says grabbing my hand and pulling me towards the 8-foot concrete fence that looks impossible to climb.

"How?" I ask looking all around for any sign of movement.

She does not answer me instead I follow her into a shed. The shed has the usual gardening equipment with the exception of the square paneling near the wall. Rose heads straight there and opens the hatch.

"This is the underground tunnels. Declan's family had it built when they built this estate. When you climb down you will see four tunnels. The one on the left takes you to the ocean, the one on the right takes you back to the house and into the cellar, the one straight ahead takes you to a basement of a hotel in Puebla, Mexico, the one the leads off from this ladder will take you into the mountains.

"You need to take the one that leads into the mountains. Do not go all the way to the mountains halfway there you will see a rickety latter take it and that will be where a guy named Antonio will be waiting for you to climb into his bean truck," she explains in a rush.

She pushes me towards the opening before I can ask her questions. I climb into it and just my head is sticking before we hear the sirens that mean I have escaped.

"Go Brooke and do not look back. Go to your parents in Las Vegas live your life be the badass I know you will be," she says with tears shining in her beautiful hazel eyes.

"Ro, what about you?" I ask. Looking up at her with pleading eyes.

She looks down at me sadly. "Brooke you are my best friend and sister but Matías is the love of my life and I will not leave him plus I am pregnant with his child," she says with a sad broken smile.

My throat constricts at her confusion. She told me several years ago that she could not have children I know that deep down she wanted them but I know she will be a fantastic mother.

I look at her stomach and realize that in my haste to flee I did not see or feel the bulge of her belly. Her maroon bodycon dress shows her medium-sized pregnant belly. I am surprised I did not notice.

Tears cloud my vision as dogs barking and people talking are getting closer and I know that my time is up. "Goodbye Rosalie West," I say climbing down the rest of the way.

She starts to close the hatch but before she closes it fully she says her last parting words. "Goodbye Brooklyn Russo."

I wake to a hardness pressing into my leg. It has been a blissful month and a half. My club is soon to be open and Mason and I's relationship has blossomed into something I can not describe.

Every weekend I will stay at his house unless I and the girls have plans like a movie night or late night clubbing at a new club that recently opened.

During the week I went to school and made sure I got good grades. Even though I probably do not need them since after high school I will takeover Ceo for my mother's fashion legacy.

Mason never goes to school anymore since his father has been giving him more jobs and started giving him more control over the Mafia since he will take over in less than 2 months.

I climb out of bed and go into the bathroom. I use the toilet and brush my teeth. I go into the closet and pick out an outfit.

Two weeks ago Mason told me I could keep clothes and other essentials in his bedroom and bathroom.

I know have a fully-stocked vanity, I have lavender, rose and vanilla shampoo, conditioner, and lemon and jasmine body wash in his shower. I have four racks filled with clothes and 6 draws with bras, panties, and pajamas in his closet.

I pick out a blush pink thong. I slip it on and choose an outfit. I slip my legs through a black bodysuit and pull on white and black checkered pants. I wrap a Gucci belt around my waist and pull on a matching checkered blazer.

I pull my hair into a low bun with a few strands framing my face. I put a rose gold crescent moon necklace around my neck and put on 4 silver rings on each hand. I slip on plain black heels on my feet. I grab a black Dior bag and leave the closet.

Mason is on his stomach in bed with the sheets wrapped around his waist. I walk over and lean down to place a kiss on his temple. His left eye pops open and I am staring into his mesmerizing brown eye.

"Good morning," I say standing to my full height. Mason has other plans. He wraps an arm around my waist and pushes me into the bed.

"Where are you going?" he asks me in a raspy morning voice that I find sexy for 8 o'clock on a Saturday morning.

"I have to go to Seasons of love," I tell him. I run my hand through his messy hair and he closes his eyes at the feeling.

I take a step back and let my hand fall away. He snaps his eyes open and frowns at me. "Stay with me," he pouts. I have to fight back a grin. "we can stay in bed all day, make love or fuck whichever you choose, or we can spend the day watching any show or movie you want," he offers.

"Mason," I sigh. "My club will open up tonight. I need to make sure the preparations are ready," I tell him.

He pouts again but sighs reluctantly. "Fine, but keep your phone close by just in case I need to call my beautiful girlfriend to make sure she is thinking about me," he smirks up at me.

I lean down and peck his lips. "You are always in my thoughts," I tell him before pecking his lips one more time.

The peck turns into a heated passionate kiss that makes my toes curl and my panties wet. I break away before it can become more.

"Goodbye," I say and turn to walk out the door but a hard smack on my ass has me looking behind me to a smirking Mason.

"Goodbye baby does not let anyone touch what's mine," he warns with a dark look passing over his eyes at his last words.

I retrieve my phone from the charger and slip it into my bag. I get to the door and open it. I look back at Mason and say one last thing before I go to work. "I will make sure no one touches what's yours if you make sure no one touches what's mine," I tell him before closing the door.

***

Today has been a mess.

Two strippers tripped and fell off the vine cages that are hanging from the ceiling. A bartender broke three glasses while cleaning. My assistant messed up the drink menu but thankfully we got it fixed.

I look around at the beautiful space. Circular red leather couches surround the dance with square coffee tables with a bucket that will have ice in less than an hour. A large disco ball is on the other side of the room where the DJ is getting set up. Upstairs is some seating and different lounge rooms and four VIP rooms. I have glass cages with neon lights and vines hanging from the ceiling and I have several stripper poles in the lounge rooms.

I look at the bar and see my favorite thing downstairs. Glass squares with one-of-a-kind alcohol bottles. Each square has led lights that are set for neon lights the other lights in the club.

"Ms. Russo," Ariel my assistant says. I look at her and sigh. I know whatever is about to come out of her plump lips is going to be bad news.

"Yes Ariel," I answer closing the folder I was looking at.

"Your dress you were going to where tonight is not back from the dry cleaners," she says in a headache-inducing voice. I rub my temples.

I take a deep breath and get my phone out. "Okay thank you for informing me. Can you make sure everything down here continues to run smoothly? I will be in my office if you need me," I tell her. She says a quick of course and scurries away.

I walk up the back stairs that lead directly to my office. I sit down and text Rose to bring me a new dress appreciate for my grand opening. She replies quickly and says she will.

I open my computer and order alcohol and fruit for the drinks that I will need for next week. I come out of my shopping for new glasses to replace the ones Orion the clumsy bartender broke by a knock.

"Come in," I yell. Rose opens the door and comes in with her 5-inch heels clicking on the black marble flooring.

"I Come baring clothes," she says in a sing-song voice. I roll my eyes at her smirk. "I love your club B it is very neon."

I grab the dress bag she is holding before responding. "If you do not have anything nice to say they do not say it," I tell her.

Now it is her turn to roll her eyes at me. "B I will be downstairs getting my drink on while waiting for the girls to arrive," she tells me and reaches for the door but stops.

"Also in the back on your black leather couch is shoes and other products to make you look like a sophisticated woman," she says before walking out of my office. I hear her laughing as she moves down the hall to the stairs. I go into the bathroom off my office and change into the dress.

The hot pink dress is satin with a slit up the side that has silver chains connecting the fabric so my ass does not fall out. I let my hair down from the bun, I use a waver to make my hair very wavy. I slip on the 5-inch black heels and wrap the thick ribbon around my ankle and calf.

I re-do my make-up to orange to pink ombre and hot pink lipstick to match the dress. I finalize my outfit with two-layered necklaces; a thin gold chain and a gold pendant necklace.

I go to my desk and grab my phone. I hear the pumping music of the club downstairs and look at the wall of windows. People are drinking and grinding against each other to the music. I look to the door of the club and see a line of people out the door.

My heart swells at how popular my club is on the first day of it being open. My thoughts get interrupted by the ding of my phone. I look down and see a text from the group chat.

We are here. The club is amazing

Yes, it is fantastic

Where are you giiiirrrl???

I stare at the texts and look out onto the club floor. Anna and Emery are at the bar getting drinks and Riley is at a booth with Sam who is taking a pink-colored drink away from her and by the looks of it, she has had one too many.

I take a deep breath and exit my large elegant office. I walk down the stairs and Ariel is standing at the bottom in a black knee-length dress with long sleeves that flare out at her wrists. Her red hair is in an elegant bun at the top of her head.

"Ms. Russo Orion broke 3 more glasses," she tells me with a nervous lilt to her voice.

I rub my temples and count to ten. I look at my scared assistant. "Let's give him a week to get used to the hustle and bustle before we fire him," I tell her.

I walk past and she follows me as I get onto the floor of my club. I go straight to the bar. I see Markus right away flirting with a dirty blonde-haired girl in a pair of jeans and a lilac purple bralette. His black curls and his dark skin town make him stand out but his lanky features and boyish body make me think he faked his age.

I go to Sean another bartender who I stole from my father's new casino. He is the best bartender on this side of the US. He is also the hottest bartender I ever met. Before Mason at least.

Sean is a 6'3 man with bulging muscles. His chocolate skin town and unique gray-brown eyes that makes him the target of flirting ladies.

When he sees me he smiles a kind smile which makes me smile back. "How is Orion?" I shout over the music.

Sean looks at Orion and shakes his head. "He is a very clumsy person. He honestly reminds me of a baby giraffe running after its mother," he says. Did I mention that this man is hilarious as well?

I chuckle at his comment and get the laminated menus. I check it once then twice. "This menu finally came out correct but I think we should have board above the bar that has new specials every weak and a monthly one," I tell him.

He nods approvingly. "I agree. I can buy one tomorrow and we can write down this month's specials and a few drinks for this week," he says before leaving me to get someone's order done.

I turn around and lean against the bar. I observe my club. People are dancing and blackout drunk. I look at the booth where Riley and Sam were sitting. Now 7 more people are sitting down but my eyes zero in on Mason.

He is sitting at the end of the booth next to Anna. He looks incredibly sexy in his black three-piece Armani suit. He is of course drinking bourbon and smoking a cigarette.

Find there is wetness in between my thighs and all I want to do is go over to him and pull him and take him to my new office. But sadly fate has other plans.

"You bastard," I hear someone say. I look to where I heard the frantic voice. I see a 5'4 young woman around my age staring at a guy that probably is her boyfriend who is not going to be her boyfriend any longer.

He looks furious that she caught him in the act of sticking his hand up a woman twice his age. They have attracted a ton of unwanted attention. I see his face get red and I know what is going to come next.

I make my way over to the couple. He raises his hand and she flinches. Right before he can hit the poor girl I grab his hand and step in front of him. He looks even angrier than I stepped in front of him.

"What the hell bitch," he says with his words a little slurred.

"I would leave if I were you," I warn him.

"And why is that?" he asks with defiant eyes.

I take a step forward and let my cold dead face appear on my face. "If you do not leave her alone I will cut off your dick and feed it to the fishes. Then I will ut off your head and put it in a box and send it to your grandmother. I will then leave your body to decompose in the woods outside of my house," I tell him.

He blanches at my words before turning away and rushing out of my club. I turn to the girl and smile a warm smile at the petrified girl.

"What's your name?" I ask.

She stares at me for a long second before speaking. "Sofia, Sofia Roberts," she says straightening up and looking into my eyes. I realize she has a British accent.

"Lovely name Sofia," I complement. "Was that jackass your boyfriend?"

She laughs at the word boyfriend. "No just a date my friend pared me with since I never go out with him," she says with a smile.

I smile back. "Well how about since your fun night should not get ruined by an abusive fucker we get you all the drinks you want," I tell her.

She looks surprised and opens her mouth but I open mine quicker. "Ariel has Sean open a tab under my name for Miss. Roberts and make sure she gets any drink she wants," I order. I squeeze Sofia's hand. "Do not think about the asshole just have fun and get drunk," I squeeze her hand one more time before turning away.

I am met with Mason standing a few feet away with his arms crossed and a thin line on his luscious lips. I walk over with a small smile.

I wrap my arms around his waist and he finally smiles down at me. I swear every time he smiles my heart stops. I peck his lips but Mason pulls me closer and latches his lips onto mine.

He breaks away and smirks down at my flushed face. "Nice dress," he says and I swear that his eyes tell me a secret that makes my heart race.

***

Hello, my loves! How are you?

How did you enjoy this Chapter?

Do have any theories for any of the new characters in this chapter?

Thoughts about this chapter?

-Brooke

-Mason

-Orion

-Sean

-Ariel

-Sofia

-Rose