“Get up, Aliyah!” Claudia’s voice cut through the quiet of my room as she yanked the blanket off me, her tone sharp and insistent.

“Quit being such a pain,” she snapped, hauling me out of the tangled sheets.

I groaned, blinking against the soft morning light sneaking through the curtains, already regretting this forced excursion. “Why am I doing this?” I muttered, crossing my arms as my hoodie bunched awkwardly around me.

Claudia smirked confidently, the kind of smirk that said she’d already won the argument. “Mom won’t let me go unless you come with me, and trust me, this is a golden opportunity. Maybe even score you a date, or at least some fun.”

I scoffed, stepping back toward my bed. “I don’t need a date, or anyone, actually.”

“Look at you,” she whined, a touch of mock sympathy in her voice. “You’ve been cooped up for too long.”

I buried my face in my pillow, trying to drown out her relentless pestering. “Please,” she kept at it, her voice looping in my ears like a bad song.

Finally, I relented with a sigh, watching the victorious grin spread across her face. “Fine. But I’m not staying long, and definitely not meeting anyone.”

“Deal,” she winked, already heading for the door. “Oh, and wear something sexy!” she called back, making me groan dramatically as I sank back onto the mattress.

Moments later, the sharp click of heels on the glass staircase echoed behind me, followed by a horrified squeal. “You can’t wear those shoes.”

I rolled my eyes, unimpressed. “I’m surprised you know that word,” I muttered as she rummaged in the closet and tossed a sleek pair of black heels at my feet. “Try these on.”

Before I could respond, her phone buzzed, and she drifted away, chatting animatedly as I slipped off my sneakers and slid into the heels, which hugged my feet perfectly.

A small laugh escaped me at the ridiculousness—I felt like Cinderella, albeit the type who didn’t believe in fairy tale endings. And, of course, the ever-annoying sister was right there.

“Wow, you actually look good,” Claudia said, reappearing with an approving glance at the shoes. She grabbed her purse, hunting for lip gloss, which she applied with practiced precision while puckering at the mirror.

A car horn beeped from outside, and she giggled, swinging open the front door. I took a deep breath, trying to steady the knot tightening in my chest before climbing into the backseat.

Tonight is going to be fine, I told myself as the city lights blurred past. But as my sister’s loud chatter and the boisterous laughter of her friends filled the car, I regretted my decision, craving the quiet sanctuary of my bed.

✥ ✥ ✥

“Come on, Aliyah! Just one drink!” Olivia chirped, thrusting a shot glass of vodka toward me.

Claudia’s voice rose above the pounding bass. “You’ve got to loosen up—drink!”

I sighed heavily, snatching the glass and swallowing the burning liquid in one go, the bitter sting crawling down my throat.

“Ugh,” I muttered, shaking my head in disgust.

Claudia whooped triumphantly as she drifted onto the dancefloor, clutching a mysterious pink concoction. Her friends followed eagerly, leaving me no choice but to trail behind, feeling out of place.

A few men approached, their hands sliding possessively over the girls’ hips. A surge of revulsion twisted in my stomach watching strangers violate my sister’s space. She might be the elder, but maturity was mine to claim.

Then, a rough hand settled on my waist. I spun around sharply, drawing the blade strapped to my thigh and pressing it against the man’s neck.

“Back off,” I growled, eyes blazing. The man stammered apologies, hands raised, before bolting from the club.

A smirk of satisfaction crept across my face as I watched him flee, then I turned back to the swirling crowd.

I danced alone beside my sister and her friends, letting the vodka dull the edges of the chaos swirling around me.

When another hand slid boldly to my hip, I didn’t resist this time. Instead, I moved with the stranger, sliding my hands behind me to clasp the back of his neck.

My gaze flicked upward from the flashing ceiling lights to a group of men seated across the room. My eyes locked with one in particular—a dark, smoky gaze that held mine with unsettling intensity as the man behind me continued to explore my body.

My heart quickened, a mix of caution and curiosity flooding through me. This night, I realized, was far from over—and the danger lurking in those eyes was the spark I hadn’t anticipated.