As the girls ttered their way down the stairs on the Friday night, Courtney dressed in a silver backless sequined dress, her red hair falling down her back in a french braid, Darcy in an electric blue strapless lycra dress with an over sized ck belt around her waist, all three girls in ck heels, clutching their purses as they scurried over to the front door and down t os to the waiting SUV, Merrick stood by the back door holding it open for them. seat, watching as he shut the door firmly and made his way round to the drivers side door. hutting his door and clipping his seat belt.


    ''Looking lovely tonightdies'' he said with a smile as they ushered past him and mbered in to the back ''Still so hot'' muttered Courtney as Isabe and Darcy giggled, shhing her as Merrick slid behind the w ''Car doesn''t move till all the precious cargo is secured'' he growled yfully, looking at the trio in his ''Yes Mr Bossy Boots'' Isabe retorted as the three girls pulled on their seat belts, clipping them in to Nodding approvingly, Merrick turned the ignition and put the vehicle in gear, sliding slowly down the gravel Drawing up outside, Merrick stared at therge Neon sign that flickered with the name ''Night Beats'' fo problems, link me and I will be there in seconds, ok?'' he asked, catching each girls eye.


    ew mirror.


    ousing with a soft click.


    driveway and out through the gates, heading toward the nearby town where he followed the signs for the new club that had just opened. ment before turning to the excited girls in the back, ''OK, have fun girls but remember, you stay together, no-one enters or leaves without the others, any


    The trio nodded solemnly before jumping out of the car, Merrick stepping out with them and leading them toward the two bouncers who were controlling the long line waiting to get into the club. Beckoning one over, Merrick spoke in a low voice to him, gesturing to Isabe, the bouncer looked her up and down before nodding and undoing the sp on the rope, stepping back to allow the three girls to enter. Giggling happily, Isabe gave Merrick a quick wave before allowing herself to be swept along with he ds into the night club.


    ''OK I admit it, sometimes its cool to be besties with the Alpha''s daughter'' Darcy conceded as they made their way over to a booth, dropping onto the plush purple velvet seating and looking up as a scantily d woman walked up to their table smiling, ''What can I get you pretty youngdies to drink?'' she asked, pulling a chewed pencil from behind her ''umm three vodka and diet coke''s'' Darcy replied, looking at her friends who both nodded silently.


    d cing it on a clean page of her notebook that she rest on her serving tray, jotting down their table number quickly before looking up at them expectantly.


    ''You got it sweet thing, i''ll be right back'' the waitress replied before sashaying her way back to the bar leaning over to give the drinks orders for her tables as the muscr bartender nodded his head and started to pour various drinks into sses, cing them on her tray as she waited, chatting to him.


    that emanated from the speakers dotted round the room. Soon having downed a couple of drinks, the three girls were dancing around the dance floorughing insert themselves between the trio but true to their word, the girls stuck together and brushed off any advances made.


    With their drinks delivered, the three girls, took a sip, tapping their feet to the gregariously loud musi and chatting over the music as the eyes of various men in the club followed their movements, a few t Falling into one of the seats giggling, Isabe''s flushed face grinned as she stared at her friends, ''it is ''Do you need a fan mdy?'' came a sultry voice from behind her, turning her head, Isabe''s gaze fell upon muscr frame.


    ot in here'' sheined.


    handsome brown haired man wearing a ck silk shirt that had the sleeves rolled up to reveal a dragon tattoo and chino trousers that showed off his


    Giggling, the alcohol starting to affect her, Isabe fluttered her eyeshes, ''I''m not sure you have what it takes to cool me down'' she purred.


    ''Why don''t you try me beautiful'' the stranger replied, shing her a heart stopping smile as she swallowed hastily under his gaze.


    Nodding uncertainly, Isabe moved up slightly as the stranger slid in next to her, signalling in the air as two further men appeared, sitting themselves next to Darcy and Courtney who smiled shyly.


    ''So shall we start with the names of the three prettiest girls in here tonight?'' he asked, his eyes never leaving Isabe''s.


    ''I think we should start with yours'' replied Isabe carefully, ''you joined us''


    Nodding easily, the stranger sat back, resting his arm along the back of Isabe''s seat, ''Well i''m Rowan, my friend here is Lowe'' he added pointing to the man next to Darcy, ''and my other friend here is rick'' he finished as the man next to Courtney waved his handzily before whispering in the young girls ear causing her to blush furiously.


    Isabe nodded, ''Well i''m Be, my read headed friend is Corks and the ck raven is Darce'' she replied, purposefully shortening their names to help protect them but still be names they would reply too.


    ''Be'' Rowan replied, rolling her name off his tongue like it was a juicy strawberry, ''a beautiful name for a beautiful girl'' he said smiling. ''So how are three such adorabledies here all alone tonight'' he inquired, his gaze travelling over Isabe''s body causing her skin to erupt in goosebumps involuntarily.


    ''It''s a girls night, a celebration for my birthday'' Isabe replied before silently chiding herself for giving information about herself away to strangers.


    ''Your birthday?'' Rowan replied surprised, ''well birthday girl, allow me to buy you and your friends a round of drinks'' he grinned, waving the waitress over to their table.


    A red headed girl in her twenties hurried over, gazing round the table, a smile ying at her lips ''so what can I get you guys?'' she asked loudly, her voice carrying over the music that still pumped out at full st around them.


    ''Whisky for myself and myrades'' Rowan said smiling before looking at the girls.


    ''Vodka and diet coke please'' Isabe replied guardedly, as Courtney and Darcy nodded their agreement, before watching the young girl as she walked over to the bar and ced their drinks order.


    Grabbing her attention, Rowan ced his hand on hers, drawing her eyes from the waitress, ''so Be, birthday girl, how about you tell me something about yourself?'' he asked, his gaze captivating her as her aquamarine eyes dropped from the intensity of his stare. ''There is not much to tell, I live nearby with my family, I attend school with my friends, my life is quite boring'' she replied, remaining vague.


    Rowan smiled down at her, his stance rxed, ''I feel you don''t trust me Be'' he chided gently, ''but no matter, distrust of strangers is a good thing'' he said leaning back.


    As the waitress returned with the drinks, Isabe felt a bit foolish about keeping her guard up, as Rowan handed her her drink she nursed it in her hands whilst her two friends knocked theirs back, giggling and flirting with Rowan''s friends. ''I''m sorry, my dad is a bit protective, he doesn''t like me giving..'' she started before her face froze, her eyes watching in disbelief as Darcy and Courtney suddenly fell forward unconscious, the two men grabbing them as they fell and leaning them back against the seats. ''What the f**k have you done to them!'' Isabe growled angrily, edging away from Rowan who was watching her carefully.


    ''Oh Be, if you had just drank your drink like a good girl this would have been sooo much easier'' Rowan replied, his eyes glinting. Dropping the ss, Isabe threw her shoulder against Rowan, knocking him out of the booth before slipping out of the seat and jumping over him trying to run for the exit, her wrist was gripped by one of his friends as Rowan stood up shouting loudly over the music ''Baby! don''t be like that, she didn''t mean anything to me! it was just one kiss!'' as the people around them stopped staring and returned to their drinks assuming it was a lovers tiff.


    Stepping up behind Isabe he murmured, ''Oh Miss Cross, i''m sorry about this but needs must'' before a sharp pain flowed through her neck as a syringe broke through her flesh.


    Turning toward him she growled angrily, ''you''ll pay for this'' before falling forward into his outstretched arms.


    Feeling him lift her bridal style whilst looking around them he called out to onlookers, ''seems my angel has had too much to drink'' with a heartyugh before carrying her through the crowds, her final view being a side door opening as Rowan slipped the doorman some notes and bundled her into the boot of an awaiting car before ckness over took her and she fell into a dreamless sleep.