Page 28 of Shattered Rhythm

“Deal,” I reply with a smile,feeling comforted that I don’t have to explain myself to him. He just understands.

I’m what they call gifted, meaning that I have a high IQ. Sometimes, giftedness can be paired with high sensitivity, which is unfortunately the case for me. I experience sounds, light, touch, and the emotions of other people in a much more intense way than most, and I’m constantly bombarded with thousands of stimuli each day, which can be overwhelming and difficult to process. Being around other people can be exhausting for me, so clubbing is one of the most taxing activities for my senses, but I know that Ryder won’t let me down. So I put on the shirt he suggested and head out to meet the others.

Jaxon is wearing a simple outfit of jeans and a white T-shirt that looks like it might be a size too small for him. Chase has his curly hair loose, with strands sticking out in every direction, and is dressed in dark jeans and a black T-shirt.

“We clean up pretty good, don’t we?” Chase says with a grin, rubbing his hands together, while Jaxon just rolls his eyes.

“Let’s go,” he says, ready to get the night started.

CHAPTEREIGHTEEN

Chase

We have no trouble getting into the club. I greet the bouncer by name, shaking his hand with a smile, and we’re in. Although I knew we’d be let in, sometimes Jail limits the number of male guests for the comfort of the female patrons. Still, I like this club. The music is loud, the drinks are cheap, and the dance floor is always packed. Jaxon heads to the bar to order us some beers and a water for himself, while I scan the people on the dance floor.

The bar is slightly elevated, and on the other side of the club are five cages lined up against the wall, which are a feature of the club. Many guys come in just to watch the girls dance in them, even though they don’t strip. This isn’t a gentlemen’s club, but their outfits are skimpy, and their dancing is more suited to a strip club than this establishment.

I let my gaze wander over the cages, but I stop on the one in the middle. The way this girl is dancing is incredible. Her clothes aren’t as revealing as the other girls’, but she’s still incredibly sexy in tight black leather skinny jeans and a long-sleeved crop top that’s cut short. You can see the underside of her bra, and her toned belly is on full display. Her long brown hair falls in waves down her back, and while I can’t see her face, the way her body moves to the music entrances me.I would love to have her move like that on top of me.

A remix of “Bad Memories” by Meduza is playing and the mood is seductive, but the woman reminds me more of a professional dancer than a stripper. Just as I think that, she throws her head back and I catch a glimpse of her face…then freeze. The gorgeous little dancer is Liv.

Fuck.

* * *

Ryder

I hear Chase inhale sharply beside me as I take the beer Jaxon offers me with a grateful nod, then turn to my brother.

“You okay, bro?” I ask before taking a sip of my beer. It’s bitter but cold, so I won’t complain. Jaxon isn’t the type to order anything fancy, and since he’s paying, I’ll drink what I’m given.

Chase still looks stunned, so I nudge him with my elbow and repeat louder, “Bro, you good?”

“It’s her,” he says, still dazed.

“Who?” I ask confused, glancing at Jaxon and River for clarification, but they both seem just as bewildered as I am.

“Liv. She’s dancing in one of the cages,”

Jaxon’s head snaps to the right, then he searches the back area frantically until he spots her. I follow his gaze and find her too, dancing like a goddess.Damn, she’s stunning.

“She’s so much better than the other dancers,” River adds after we’ve all watched her for a while.

“That’s because the others are just shaking their asses and tits, while Liv is actually dancing,” Chase says, still unable to take his eyes away from her, and I have to agree. The other girls are undoubtedly hot, but compared to Liv,they never even stood a chance.

* * *

Jaxon

I can feel my blood boiling as I watch Liv dance in that damn cage, surrounded by a pack of drooling fuckboys. It’s like they’re all competing for a chance to get their grabby hands on her, and what’s worse, she seems oblivious to the danger she’s in. Doesn’t she realize that this is exactly how you attract a stalker? Out of all the girls in the cages, she’s the one with the most men leering at her.Like moths to a flame.

Is she here alone? My mind races with worst-case scenarios. What if one of these creeps follows her home? I have a strong urge to march over there and spank that fine ass for being so reckless. Instead, I take a long swig of my water and keep watching, trying to keep my cool. Has she been doing this all along? We haven’t been to this club since she moved here, so it’s possible. If only I had known, I would have come here every damn night to keep an eye on her, to protect her. Before I can even finish that thought, one of the drunk assholes reaches for her calf, but Liv kicks him away, incorporating the move seamlessly into her dance.Good girl.

Except the idiot doesn’t get the message. The second she squats down as part of her dance, he sticks his arm through the bars and grabs her by the throat to pull her down. Liv’s head slams into the bars, but he still has his hand around her neck, squeezing. I can see the panic rising in her eyes as she scratches at his arm to get him to loosen his grip, and I see red.

* * *

River

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