BILLIONAIRE’s CAPTIVATION
Alexander’s POV
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The minute her voice filled the bar, something inside me split open something I thought I’d buried for forever.
I reclined back in my chair, clutching my glass of bourbon, but I hardly tasted it. My eyes were fixated on the girl on stage. The guys surrounding me were making foolish jokes about her curves and nice face, but I wasn’t listening.
All I could see were her shaking hands grasping the mic. She was afraid. Exposed. Beautiful in a manner that made my chest clench. I loathed that sensation.
“Who is she?” I asked, keeping my voice steady but sharp enough to cut through the hubbub.
Jeremy, my assistant, leaned near me. “No idea, sir. She’s not one of our normal performers.”
“Find out,” I replied without looking away. “I want her name, number, everything. Tonight.”
“Yes, sir.”
She ended the song. Her final note floated in the air like a sweet farewell.
Then the whole place burst in applause. People were cheering, some women even wiping tears.
She stood there on stage, struggling to catch her breath, eyes hazy and cheeks burning beneath the lights.
That odd tightness in my chest developed.
“Beautiful, isn’t she?” Marco, one of my business partners, stated with a grin. “You should take her home tonight.”
I didn’t reply. I laid my drink down and leaned forward, elbows on my knees, simply observing her.
“Bring her to me,” I instructed Jeremy gently. My voice came out chilly, flat.
He bowed and vanished into the mob.
She was still in the changing room when Jeremy got there.
I had eyes everywhere.
I knew she was seated on a stool, clutching her knees, looking like she wanted to disappear.
Then Sara, her buddy or whatever, surged in full enthusiasm.
“Girl, you were amazing!” she exclaimed. “They were throwing money like crazy. I’m really proud of you!”
Anna, her name was Anna, smiled faintly. “I just want to go home.”
“Wait,” Sara murmured, peeking toward the door. “Mr. Oreos wants to meet you.”
That’s me.
Anna’s face grew pale. “Who?”
“Alexander Oreos.
The billionaire.
I told you about him, remember? He owns this place.”
“I don’t want to meet anyone,” she answered hurriedly. “Please.”
Jeremy strolled in right then, dressed smart as always, hair precisely slicked back.
“Miss…?”
“Anna,” she replied gently.
“Miss Anna, Mr. Oreos would like to speak with you.”
She folded her arms tightly across her chest. “Why?”
“He didn’t say,” Jeremy answered with a nice grin. “But when Mr. Oreos makes a request, it’s... wise to say yes.”
She glanced at Sara, who was virtually bouncing. “Go, Anna! Do you realize how many females would die to be in your shoes right now?”
Anna looked afraid. “I’m sorry. I can’t.”
Sara’s face contorted in rage. “Don’t be stupid!”
But Anna shook her head, grabbed her coat, and went. She ignored Jeremy and stormed out of the changing room.
I observed it all from my table.
I watched her go. I saw Jeremy return alone.
“She refused, sir,” he added gently.
My jaw clinched.
She strolled right out the front doors without even glancing my way.
For a few seconds, the whole club drifted away. The music, the talk, everything was gone.
No lady had ever said no to me. Not once.
They constantly wanted something like my name, my money, my authority. But this girl… Anna…
She didn’t want any of it.
I held my glass tighter, knuckles becoming white.
“Interesting,” I mumbled.
Marco laughed alongside me. “She’s playing hard to get, man. You best not let her slip away. She’s worth chasing.”
I didn’t answer him.
It was already planned.
Who was she? Where did she come from? Why did she appear like the stage was the last place she wanted to be?
I drained the last of my bourbon in one shot and placed the glass down hard.
“Jeremy.”
“Yes, sir?”
“I want everything for her. Where she lives. Who she works for. What she owes. Family. Medical bills. I want all of it on my desk by morning.”
Jeremy nodded, immediately pulling out his phone.
I leaned back again, gaze fixated on the empty stage where she stood just minutes earlier.
There was something raw and true.
Her voice transmitted agony like it resided in her bones.
I don’t believe in love. That’s a lie people tell themselves before becoming devastated.
But desire?
Desire is honest. It’s powerful.
And I craved her.
I got out my phone and glanced at the image of my son, Chamberlain. His small face peered back at me, telling me why I needed stability.
Not love.
Never love.
But Purpose.
And Anna?
She could be precisely what I need.
As Jeremy hastened to do what I wanted, a frigid smile came across my face.
“She thinks she can say no to me,” I muttered.
She has no idea who she just walked away from.