“This isn’t good,” Clive muttered. “Preston’s got his sights on Tilda. If she doesn’t lose him fast, things could get messy.”
He glanced at Wade. “Are you stepping in or what? If you do, I’ve got your back.”
Clive wasn’t exactly the kind of guy who’d risk making enemies with the Bells for a stranger. But if Wade moved first, that was another story. It all came down to whether Wade cared enough about his sister to get involved.
Right now, Wade still hadn’t made up his mind.
“I’m just trying to make some friends, ladies. No need to get all worked up,” Preston drawled, his tone dripping with sleaze.
He didn’t notice the way Tilda’s expression hardened.
Before he could finish his line, she snapped her leg up and drove her foot straight into his gut.
Preston went flying like a rag doll, crashing into a stack of tables and chairs.
The crack of ribs breaking echoed through the bar.
Gasps erupted from nearby patrons. Most scrambled out of the way, while a few stayed, eager to watch the drama unfold.
Clive let out a low whistle. “Holy cow! Wade, your sister’s something else!”
Wade froze. He’d been about to jump in – but now?
Tilda didn’t need saving. She could fight.
This wasn’t the girl he remembered. The timid, insecure Tilda who used to fade into the background was gone. In her place stood someone fierce, confident… dangerous.
Before the dust had even settled, Tilda reached out and gently covered Una’s eyes. She didn’t want her to see something so violent.
“Tilda, what just happened? Are you hurt? Don’t be scared; this place has great security. They won’t let anything happen to us,” Una said, her voice shaking. She had never experienced something like this; rattled, she was still trying to protect Tilda.
Warmth stirred in Tilda’s chest. “I’m fine, Una. I’ll handle it.”
“Mr. Preston!”
A few of Preston’s lapdogs rushed over to pull him to his feet.
Blood streaked his face, and pain twisted his body, but his glare stayed locked on Tilda – wild and furious.
“Bitch! You’re out of your mind! You dare lay a hand on me? Get her! Now!”
“Yes, Mr. Preston!”
“Back off!”
The shout snapped Wade out of his daze. He stepped forward without thinking, his voice hard.
Tilda’s eyes widened. Wade?
What is he doing here? Is he standing up for me?
Preston’s eyes burned red, and he roared, “Who the heck are you? Trying to play hero. Get him too!”
“Yes, Mr. Preston!”
Clive grinned the moment Wade stepped forward. Of course he wasn’t going to just stand by now.
The two of them moved in together, and within seconds Preston’s crew was sprawled on the floor, groaning in pain.
They might’ve looked tough, but against Wade and Clive – both trained from childhood as heirs of powerful families – they didn’t stand a chance. In their world, knowing how to fight wasn’t a hobby. It was survival.
Tilda stayed off to the side, arms crossed, watching with a faint smirk.
What is this – Wade playing the hero now?
Please.
By then, security had been alerted, and guards finally rushed in.
After confirming what had happened, security moved in fast. They grabbed Preston and his crew on the spot.
“I’m warning you!” Preston barked. “Don’t touch me! I’m a Bells!”
The head of security at Nightingale Bar wasn’t the kind of man to be easily intimidated – especially not by someone like Preston. He let out a cold scoff. “My boss is a close friend of Mr. Bell. If he finds out you stirred up trouble here tonight, you’ll be lucky to walk out in one piece.”
Jude’s ruthlessness was legendary across the city.
Anyone who crossed him – family or not – paid the price.
Preston’s face drained of color. He’d clearly chosen the wrong place to throw his weight around. If that devil of a man heard Preston had been using the family’s influence to bully people, he’d be done for.
The bar manager stepped forward as Preston was dragged away. His tone was smooth, almost polite. “Now, let’s discuss compensation.”
He turned to the guests and offered a respectful bow. “We’re deeply sorry for the disturbance. As an apology, all charges for tonight will be waived.”
Then he approached Tilda and Una. “We’ve reviewed the situation thoroughly. On behalf of Nightingale Bar, please accept this Elite Diamond Card. It gives you 70 percent off every visit, plus a 500,000 dollar credit already loaded.”
It was an unbelievably generous offer.
Una’s jaw dropped. “Is this really for us?”
The Elite Diamond Card wasn’t something you could just sign up for. You had to spend at least three million a year here to even qualify.
Tilda had only applied for a regular membership.
“I understand.”
She accepted the card without fuss, calm as ever. She was satisfied with how the bar had handled things.
As for Preston’s disgusting stunt? She’d already moved past it. That one kick would keep him in a hospital bed for a month. And tonight’s bill? He’d be paying it in full.
The people behind Nightingale Bar weren’t the type to swallow a loss. They’d make sure Preston paid – literally and financially.
Once everything was settled, the staff moved quickly, restoring the area like nothing had happened. In the grand scheme of the night, the little scene that had played out was barely a ripple.
Everyone went back to drinking and laughing. In a place like this, fights weren’t exactly rare. The difference was how the bar handled them.
And Nightingale Bar? They’d wiped a tab worth at least a hundred grand without batting an eye. That was power. And that was why people kept coming back.
Wade stood there, eyes locked on Tilda, his expression tangled with emotions. He’d been torn about stepping in, but the moment he shouted and moved forward, he realized he already had.
Tilda gave him a glance before turning away. She took Una’s hand and headed for the door.
She couldn’t stay here – not with Wade around.
Even breathing the same air as the Jensons made her skin crawl.
Tilda didn’t even say goodbye – she just walked off, and that alone was enough to set Wade’s temper off.
“Wade, your sister’s leaving without a word,” Clive said, nudging him as they both watched her disappear into the night. “At least say hi to us – we did step in to help her back there.”
Although, if Clive was being honest, with the way Tilda had handled herself, he doubted she’d needed saving at all. One solid kick from her and those guys would’ve been out cold.
And this was Nightingale Bar, after all – Maurice’s place.
The security here wasn’t just for show.
Their rescue was pointless.
“Forget her,” Wade muttered through clenched teeth.
He was still furious. Tilda – breaking ties with the family? Fine. Let her.
“Oh, sure,” Clive said, barely hiding his smirk. “You say you can’t stand her, that you’re afraid she’ll take Kyla’s spot at home – but the moment she’s in trouble, you’re the first one to step in. Classic Wade.”
Tough words, soft heart. That was him all over.
After all, Tilda was the little sister who’d been missing for 19 years before finally coming home.
Still, every family had its drama, and the Jensons were neck-deep in theirs. Even as close as Clive was to Wade, he wouldn’t touch that mess. He had more than enough chaos to deal with in his own family.
“I’m going to the restroom,” Wade said abruptly, then stormed off toward the first floor.
“Pfft!”
Clive burst out laughing the moment Wade was gone.
“Hey, Wade – aren’t there bathrooms on the second floor?”
Wade either didn’t hear him or chose to ignore it.
Meanwhile, in the fourth-floor VIP lounge, Jude rose from his seat.
Maurice arched a brow. “Heading out already, Jude? Why not stick around a little longer?”
“I’ve got something to take care of.”
The words were simple, but the icy edge in his voice was sharp enough to chill the air.
Maurice let out a low whistle. Preston had no idea what kind of storm he’d just called down on himself.
It was bad enough to toss Jude’s name around like it was some kind of VIP pass – Jude despised that. And when Jude hated something, he didn’t just let it go. Preston was about to wish he’d never been born.
But Maurice could tell there was more to it than that. Jude’s anger had been simmering long before Preston’s little stunt.
No, that spark had been lit the second that woman stepped onto the dance floor – moving through the crowd like a queen. Untouchable. Unforgettable.
“Oh, and one more thing,” Maurice called after him with a sly grin. “I gave both ladies an Elite Diamond Card. Maybe drop by more often – you just might run into them again.”
“Busybody,” Jude said coolly without glancing back, striding out of the room.
Maurice leaned back on the sofa, hands behind his head, a slow, knowing smile playing on his lips.
This is going to be interesting.
…
Outside the bar, Wade stepped out just in time to see Tilda helping Una into a cab.
Tilda noticed him, too. Her gaze flicked his way for a heartbeat before she turned back to Una, as if she hadn’t seen him at all.
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