Chapter 239: She Said No!

Chapter 239

Alex downed a small shot of champagne, letting the sharp, fizzy burn slide down his throat as he leaned back against the comfy bar counter, while taking in the lively scene around him. After all, it’d be nearly close to impossible not to admire the scene.

After they had reported back to the bureau following the mission, Allen had spent the better part of twenty or so minutes relentlessly pleading with everyone to come out and celebrate the successful mission.

It had even reached a point where he was almost practically begging on his knees at one point, while dramatically clutching at his chest as if, if any one of them refused, it would be the death of him.

Surprisingly, it had been Sylph who finally caved first, simply shrugging with that usual composed expression of hers and remarking that it wouldn’t hurt to let loose a little and actually enjoy themselves for once, especially after a mission that had nearly gotten them all killed.

And that, more or less, was exactly how they’d all ended up here, crammed into one of the city’s flashiest upscale nightclubs well past midnight, with good old neon lights washing over sweaty dancing bodies and glasses clinking from every which way. Truly a great way to let loose.

Allen, being the main instigator behind this entire outing, was predictably over at the far end of the bar, fully in his element as he leaned in close to a stunning blonde chick. You know? the whole package with a curvaceous body that could stir most guys desire and sultry, half-lidded eyes that looked pretty okay he guessed.

Staying with top tier beauties like Nyx and the rest for quite a while had made most women that would have seemed like great beauties to him in his past life, look nothing more than a little above average.

Alex couldn’t help watching with a small chuckle as the woman’s manicured fingers occasionally brushed against Allen’s forearm as she laughed at something he’d said. From the way she kept leaning into his space, it was clear she was enjoying his attention just as much as he was enjoying giving it. Well, good for Allen.

As for the girls, Mia, Tonya, and Stephanie, they had all moved over to the dance floor not too long after arriving, weaving between flashing lights and funky music this year had to offer, while laughing loudly and moving without a care in the world.

It was honestly nice to see them like that, all carefree and unguarded, most especially after the sheer amount of stress that mission had put them all through. Mia especially seemed to be having the time of her life, spinning in circles with her arms thrown up while Tonya tried, and failed, to teach her some kind of dance move.

Chris, on the other hand, had chosen to rest quietly at a nearby table off to the side, nursing a glass of amber liquid with the same composed face he always carried. Every so often though, Alex had always managed to catch his gaze subtly drifting over toward Sylph’s figure, lingering there for a beat or two longer than necessary before he would catch himself and quickly glance away, pretending to study the beads of water gathering on the side of his glass instead.

Alex found it mildly amusing, although he couldn’t deny feeling a bit weird because he had already planned to have Sylph join his harem slot some time ago. So now seeing another man openly interested in her made him feel a bit uncomfortable.

Of course, her ability was another matter entirely. if he ever managed to copy it, just how much stronger would he become? But he decided to ignore it for now. As long as Sylph didn’t like anyone yet, there was still a chance.

What genuinely surprised him the most, though, was Drew. The big, burly man rarely spoke more than a handful of words on any given day, always far more comfortable silently observing from the sidelines than actively engaging with anyone.

And yet, there he was, seated at a small table not too far off, deep in what looked like an actual conversation with a goth girl covered head to toe in piercings that honestly looked pretty badass if you tell him.

From here he watched as her dark lipstick curled into an amused smile at something he’d apparently just said. Who would have thought the quiet giant had it in him.

Sylph herself sat quietly beside Alex at the bar, with one leg casually crossed over the other as she sipped slowly from her glass, her sharp honey-colored eyes occasionally flicking toward various men who approached throughout the night.

Each one was met with the same rejection, a small shake of her head or a few clipped words, and within seconds they’d retreat, looking somewhat dazed as if they hadn’t quite processed the rejection yet.

She carried that same stubborn and untouchable air about her that seemed to draw attention without even trying, and yet brushed off every single advance thrown her way with bored indifference that sort of reminded him of a certain woman he knew.

On his other side sat Ella, the shy, endearing girl of their squad, who was carefully cradling a glass of fruit juice between both hands instead of anything even remotely alcoholic.

Earlier that night, Mia had playfully coaxed her into taking a tiny sip from her own cocktail, insisting it wouldn’t hurt, and the memory of Ella’s cute face scrunching up in pure surprise and mild betrayal at the bitter taste still brought a small smile of amusement to his lips whenever he thought back on it.

She’d even practically sworn off anything stronger than juice for the rest of the night after that, much to Mia’s amused disappointment.

As the three of them sat there quietly at the bar, simply enjoying the ambient noise, and the general buzz of the club around them, Alex suddenly caught the sound of an all-too-familiar voice cutting through the general chatter nearby. It was really damn smug, annoying and grating in a way that immediately set his teeth on edge.

Turning his head toward the source, he couldn’t help furrowing his brows slightly the exact moment he found out who the owner of that familiar annoying voice was.

Wait a second... wasn’t that... what was his name again? It took him a second to place it, but then it clicked. Julian. That’s right, Julian, that spoiled, dumb second-generation rich kid he’d taught a rather memorable lesson to not too long ago. There was no mistaking that insufferably slicked-back chestnut hair or that annoyingly smug, entitled face anywhere, not even in a crowded club full of strangers.

Julian was leaning casually against a nearby pillar just a few feet away, dressed in an obviously expensive tailored shirt that he clearly wanted everyone to notice, clearly trying to work his usual brand of shameless charm on none other than Ella, who looked visibly uncomfortable with the entire exchange, so much so that even her shoulders curled inward slightly as she tried to create as much distance as physically possible between them without outright standing up and walking away.

"Come on, just one drink," Julian said while flashing what he probably thought was a charming, roguish grin, though it came across far more smug and off-putting than anything remotely attractive. "I promise I don’t bite. Well, unless you want me to, of course."

Ella’s cheeks flushed a deep shade of red, though clearly not out of flattery or interest, and she shook her head quickly, gripping her juice glass a little tighter between both hands as if it were some kind of shield. "N-no thank you, I’m... I’m fine with what I already have," she mumbled quietly, averting her eyes toward the bar counter and angling her body slightly away from him in a clear attempt to end the conversation.

But Julian, ever the persistent and shameless fool who clearly wasn’t used to hearing the word no from anyone, wasn’t about to take the hint that easily. He leaned in a little closer instead, resting one hand casually against the pillar right beside her head, effectively boxing her in against the bar counter without quite touching her.

"Oh come on now, don’t be so shy about it," he pressed, his tone taking on a slightly more insistent edge. "A pretty little thing like you shouldn’t be sitting here all alone sipping juice like some kid at her parents’ dinner party. Let me buy you something a little more fun, loosen you up a bit."

Alex could feel annoyance rising within him as he watched the exchange unfold from just a few seats away, his fingers curling slightly around the rim of his now-empty shot glass. Ella’s discomfort was written all over her face, plain as day, and the fact that this idiot either couldn’t read it or simply didn’t care made him want to smash the idiot’s head into a shower of blood.

He was just about to push himself off the barstool and step in when a sharp, cool voice cut cleanly through the noise from somewhere off to the side, beating him to it entirely.

"Didn’t you hear what she just said?"

The sudden voice carried a kind of distinct edge to it, which sounded calm on the surface but very well laced with an unmistakable warning underneath, cutting through the ambient chatter of the club like a blade slicing through paper.

"She said no. Now scram!"