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* * *

After dinner, everyone is going around, saying their goodbyes— but I know Astra. She has an after-party planned. God, she is so predictable sometimes. I approach Astra with a soft smile.

“Evelyn, you’re just in time. We are going out tonight to celebrate, are you in?”

“I couldn’t say no to you on your birthday,” I tease back. I follow the group that is lingering outside the front entrance, most of whom are Astra’s friends with drug and anger problems. I want to spend time with Astra tonight, but I am not looking forward to spending more time with these burnouts than I already have.

Our ride pulls up to the curb, and several girls squeal with excitement. Astra’s face lights up like the sky on the Fourth of July. She loves surprising others, even on her birthday. We all line up to enter the stretch limousine. “I hope you are ready for a night in the city!” Astra’s excitement is infectious, and even I can’t lie. I’m a little excited to have the night to forget what transpired in my bedroom earlier.

* * *

Everyone is laughing and having a great time in the limousine, and I can’t stop staring off into space, wondering if Sergio has found anything back home. His team is comprehensive and has never made a mistake. The last time we had an attempted burglary, it took him about five minutes to surround and detain the burglar. That was about six years ago. I remember staring out my bedroom window at 15 years, letting curiosity get the best of me. I remember the weight in my stomach and the burning in my skin. I think that was the first time I experienced an adrenaline rush. The second time was when I wrecked my first car.

The limo comes to a halt, and everyone starts spilling out onto the sidewalk. I go to slide out and freeze in my tracks when I realize where Astra has taken us. I had been so lost in my head that I hadn’t paid much attention to where we were actually en route to. Lo and behold, Club Muse is the destination Astra had in mind. Perfect. I could just Uber home and tell her I’m not feeling well. That thought swiftly leaves my brain as Astra sashays over to me.

“I hope you are ready to let loose tonight.” Her grin is as evil as the Joker’s. I hate when she makes me feel so included.

I want to run to the nearest bridge and jump off of it in this particular moment, but I don’t. Astra wants me to stick around for a few drinks, then that is what I shall do. I smile back at her.

“Just a couple of drinks, okay?”

Astra’s response is nothing more than a playful wink.

A man approaches us in front of the club. He has a handful of masks in his possession.

“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen,” he says, flashing a sideways glance at Lucien, making me think they are friends or something. Noted.

“I am Silas Reed, owner of Club Muse. I am honored to have you all here tonight for our special event. Astra has taken the liberty of supplying everyone with a mask; in addition, you all get wristbands for the evening. These wristbands will grant you access to all private rooms on the second floor and entitle you to complimentary drinks from the bar. I hope you all enjoy the many offerings at Club Muse.”

He holds the door open as we all put on our masks and file into the club.

The club is dimly lit and features a few bars throughout its space. It features black marble flooring, accented with immaculate chandeliers that provide a soft glow of lighting. The music is loud enough that you can’t hear what conversations are happening around you, but just low enough that you can comfortably converse with someone nearby. In the back of the club, a wall of glass windows and doors opens onto an expansive stone patio. There are fire pits with seating, allowing you to take in the stunning mountain landscape. It truly is a beautiful club.

The last time I was here, I don’t remember it being so breathtaking. I could barely remember anything about this club, other than the masked stranger. The urge to run was always there, but the desire to know more got the best of me.

Silas mentioned private rooms. I didn’t know the club had private rooms. I bet the second floor is like a strip club or something. I’m curious, per usual, so I make my way to the staircase that has a red velvet rope in front of it.Are you sure you should be doing this?The voice in my head is trying to be a voice of reason.

I’ll simply go up and come right back down. After all, Silas did give us wristbands tonight. I will be quick. Up and right back down. I let out aslow breath as I freeze before the velvet rope.

I show the bouncer my wristband. He nods and opens the rope to allow me to pass by. Panic sets in as I slowly climb the staircase. My heartbeat overpowers the music with each thump. What am I doing right now?

As I reach the top of the grand staircase, I emerge into a dark lobby with deep brown leather sofas and accent chairs. There aren’t many people up here, but the ones who are look intimidating. The men are all in tailored suits, and the women are in elegant dresses that are revealing in all the right places. I walk past them as if I know where I am going, but let’s be honest I don’t have a damn clue.

I skipped the bar, feeling like I had enough champagne at dinner, considering I waltzed right up the stairs, completely ignoring the voice in my head. I remind myself that checking out the club doesn’t mean I’ll do something stupid. I’m allowed to be adventurous sometimes.

Once I pass through the lobby, I see eight doors, each with a small golden plaque outside. I walk up to the first room and read the plaque. The plaque readsVoyeur Room.

Never heard of it. I open the door softly, not knowing what is on the other side. When I open it enough to peer inside, I find that the room is much more spacious than I anticipated. It features three rows of black leather theater seating, arranged in groups of two, outlining the room, and an elevated platform in the center. On the stage is nothing more than a brown leather chaise lounge. The seats are not lit at all, almost as if you couldn’t see anyone from the stage. What the Hell is this? The room is empty, so I walk around to the back corner of the room. I take a seat and open my phone to look up what ‘voyeur’ means. At least this way, I can hide away from all of Astra’s other friends for a while.

I get halfway through typing when the door opens, and I hurry and lock my phone. I don’t want anyone to know I am in here. Mainly because I don’t even know what this room is for. I break out into a sweat, hoping no one walks my way.

People start filtering in; two individuals make their way to the platform, and another five or so take seats on the opposite side of the room. Letting out a sigh of relief, I try my best to remain silent and still. My phone buzzes. I cover the screen to avoid attracting attention to myself, and I read the text.

I like to watch too, princess. —D

He’s in here. Or he knows I’m in here. I should sprint out of the room and find Astra, but I don’t. One, that would draw so much attention to me that I don’t want. Two, there is something in me that feels warm, and I can’t tell if it’s adrenaline or the champagne. I lock my phone and look towards the stage.

The music in the private room is more intimate than the bass-thumping music playing through the club’s common areas. It is both enchanting and seductive.