Bound By The Billionaire's Cruel Contract

Clarissa pushed through the heavy, soundproof doors of The Obsidian Room.

The bass from the speakers hit her chest instantly. It was a physical blow, rattling her ribs and making her teeth ache.

She frowned. The smell of cheap sweat masked by expensive cologne filled her nose.

She stood on her toes, her eyes scanning the dark, crowded dance floor. Laser lights sliced through the smoke in jagged green and red lines. She clutched the strap of her leather purse so tightly her knuckles turned white.

She needed to find Maya. Fast.

Her eyes darted to the far edge of the long marble bar. She spotted a familiar head of messy blonde hair. Maya was slouched over the counter, holding a shot glass of tequila. Her eyes were red and unfocused.

Clarissa shoved her way through the sweaty bodies. She ignored the hands that brushed against her waist.

She reached the bar and snatched the shot glass right out of Maya's hand.

She slammed the glass down on the marble surface. The loud clink was swallowed by the electronic music.

"Hey!" Maya slurred, swiping her hand through the air to grab the drink back. "I was drinking that."

Clarissa grabbed Maya's shoulders. She dug her fingers into the fabric of her friend's dress. "We are leaving. Now. You need to go home."

"No," Maya whined, trying to pull away.

Before Clarissa could pull her off the barstool, a man stepped into their space.

He wore a custom suit, but the fabric was too shiny. His eyes moved over Clarissa's body, slow and greasy. It made her skin crawl. Dwayne Boggs.

He held a lowball glass and leaned his hip against the bar, blocking their only exit.

"Can I buy you ladies a drink?" Dwayne asked. His breath smelled like stale cigars and vodka.

"No, thank you," Clarissa said. Her voice was flat. Cold.

She wrapped her arm around Maya's waist, pulling her friend up. She tried to step around him.

Dwayne shifted his weight. He took a wide step to the left, blocking her path again. His greasy smile vanished.

"I wasn't asking," Dwayne said. His voice dropped, turning hard and threatening.

Clarissa took a half-step back. Her heart started to beat faster against her ribs. She pushed Maya behind her back.

She slid her free hand into her purse, her fingers frantically searching for the cold metal of her phone.

Dwayne saw her arm move.

He lunged forward. His large hand clamped down on Clarissa's wrist.

The grip was brutal. Bone crushed against bone.

Clarissa gasped. A sharp pain shot up her arm. "Let go of me!"

She yanked her arm back, planting her heels into the sticky floor. But he was too heavy. Too strong. Her wrist burned under his fingers.

Maya stumbled forward, trying to push Dwayne's chest. "Leave her alone!"

A massive man in a black shirt stepped out from behind Dwayne. The bodyguard shoved Maya hard.

Maya let out a cry as she hit the