Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan) novel Chapter 1895

The waitress nodded and set down an unopened bottle of water for Estelle.

Estelle tilted her head back and took a swig, catching sight of a guy wrapped up in a steamy kiss with a bombshell. The others whooped and hollered for a few seconds. Estelle took a deep breath, steadying her patience and composure.

The chap, Kase, didn't seem the dangerous type. Estelle pulled out her phone, replied to a few messages, then busied herself with Sudoku to pass the time.

Half an hour later, Estelle looked up to see a teal-haired vixen stripping down to her tank top and perching on Kase's lap, delicately pouring a shot down her neck for him to catch with his lips.

Estelle glanced over, then returned to her Sudoku.

Before she could finish the next puzzle, a girl in a black strap dress approached, her gaze laced with a challenge. "Are you Kase's new flame?"

Estelle’s expression remained cool, ignoring her.

"You know, you need the group's approval to join our little family," the girl said, running her fingers through her hair seductively. "Even if he's taken a shine to you, we'll make sure you don't stick around."

A twitch of an eyebrow was the only reaction from Estelle as she looked up at the woman.

The woman swung her left leg onto the couch beside Estelle, leaning in with a wink. "Show me what you've got."

Estelle held her gaze, motionless, as if weighing her options.

As the woman reached to remove Estelle's sunglasses, her expression one of fascination, lips parted, Estelle caught her wrist just before she could touch them, and with a slight application of force, spun her onto the couch. "That's one of my skills. Care to test any others?"

The girl rubbed her reddening wrist, looking at Estelle with a mix of fear and astonishment, before quickly standing and moving back to her gaggle of friends.

Lambert watched Estelle's every move from the corner of his eye, a small smirk playing on his lips.

Estelle's initial restlessness had subsided, and now she sat calmly on the couch, waiting for Kase.

Estelle was unimpressed. "I've never seen it before, where you give up your body and still pay. Isn't it usually about making money?"

After a glance his way, she strode out.

Lambert paused, then his face darkened and he quickly followed. "Hey, clarify that. What do you mean?"

Stepping outside, the night had transformed Citadel into a kaleidoscope of opulence and energy, the alcohol-laced air hitting their faces. Estelle hesitated in her stride.

Catching up, Lambert' sobered. "In a couple days, I've got a deal that's genuinely dangerous. I'd like to hire you as a bodyguard. Name your price. Plus, I can help you find whoever it is you're looking for."

Estelle removed her sunglasses, her delicate features lit by the neon glow. She spoke softly, "Do you really need a bodyguard?"

After her words hung in the air without reply, Estelle turned to see Lambert staring intently into her eyes.