As the night wore on, and the girls danced until they could feel the sweat on their skin, the door swung open, and a figure stepped in—a stranger who would change the course of the evening.
He was tall, with a swagger that matched the confident beats of the club. Spotting Isabella, he sauntered towards her, undeterred by the lively circle of friends surrounding her. "Hey, mind if I cut in?" he grinned, his gaze fixated on Isabella, who shook her head politely.
"No, thanks. I'm good," she replied with a friendly smile.
But he wasn't easily dismissed. "Come on, it'll be fun. Just one dance?" He leaned closer, his breath brushing against her ear, an edge of insistence creeping into his tone.
Isabella's friends didn't miss a beat; Kristy stepped forward, her brow furrowed, and said, "Hey, back off. She said no."
The man faltered, his bravado wavering slightly as he glanced at the fierce determination emanating from the group. But the desire to dance with Isabella wasn't so easily extinguished. As he began to gather himself to try again, a figure slid into position beside him, the aura of calm rippling around him.
Torrance, Isabella's shadow, stood tall with dark hair framing his sharp features, his presence a stark contrast to the drunken revelry spilling across the club. He had always been a guardian in the background, lingering silently while she laughed and danced, yet tonight, that silence erupted.
"Leave her alone," Torrance hissed, his voice like low thunder, piercing through the club's cacophony. The stranger turned, defiance coloring his cheeks, but Torrance's steely gaze pierced through the bravado.
"What are you going to do about it?" the man sneered, but there was an undeniable tremor lacing his tone.
In one swift motion, Torrance grabbed the man's wrist, twisting with exact precision until a sickening crack filled the space, drowning out the music for a brief moment. The man gasped, his bravado dissolving into terror as he staggered backward, clutching his broken wrist.
"Run," Torrance warned, his voice cold and devoid of mercy. "And if you scream, I will find you."
With a look that conveyed fear and a bitter understanding of the warning, the man fled into the night, disappearing from the vibrant world of the club as quickly as he'd arrived.
Isabella, caught up in the laughter of her friends, remained blissfully unaware of the chaos that had erupted moments earlier. Once the intruding tension dissipated, Torrance lingered in the shadows for just a moment longer, stealing a glance at Isabella. She was radiant, laughing with her friends, the epitome of joy.
Satisfied that she was safe, he turned on his heel and slipped outside, the pulsating sounds of the club fading behind him like a haunting memory.
As Isabella returned to the bar with Harley, Kristy, and Ginny, the carefree chatter resumed. They toasted to the night with colorful cocktails, unaware of the silent protector who had just vanished into the night.
"To friendship and unforgettable nights!" Ginny chimed, lifting her glass high, her eyes sparkling with mischief and excitement.
"To the Four Queens!" the others echoed, their voices mingling in a chorus of laughter. They danced once more, unaware of how close danger had brushed against them, cocooned in the warmth of their bond. The night pressed on with all the glamour and giddiness that only the Celestial Dance could inspire, and for Isabella and her friends, the world outside felt a million miles away.