Page 41

The men here tonight are different than the last two times I’ve been here. Some of them have visible tattoos on their neck and hands. Others have shaggier hair. It’s different than the professional, suited-up look that we usually see here.You like these men better. They offer you the danger you seek.

The women are different as well; they have dainty tattoos and something more daring about them. Or maybe I am just noticing this now for the first time. I never paid attention to things like that before. I always tried to focus on the mature, classy man. Now I have fucking tunnel vision for the men that could eat me alive if given the chance.

“You seem different,” Astra says, looking at me with a half-smile.

“I am different.”

“I kind of like this new you. You know, that man in the corner is eyeing you,” she says, taking a sip of her champagne.

I look to the corner discreetly to scan the man who is looking my way.

“You know what looking will cost ya..” I say, smirking.

“What?” Astra questions me, acting confused by my response.

“Looking will get your eyes carved out,” I joke.

She laughs, but what she doesn’t know is that I’m not joking. He will find out, and he will kill him— if he’s still stalking me, that is.He is. Make him jealous. Show him you don’t care.

“I need to use the restroom.”

“Promise me you won’t do anything stupid.” Astra’s eyes meet mine, imploring me to be safe.

“Of course, I’ll just be a few.”Liar. You know what you’re doing.

“I’ll be right outside, come outside as soon as you’re done,” she smiles at me as she walks out the glass doors onto the patio.

I walk briskly to the restroom and pull out my wristband. I slip it onto my wrist and check my hair and make-up in the mirror.

“I can do this,” I whisper to myself.No, you can’t. It will ruin you.I’m already ruined.

I head out the door and straight for the stairs. The bouncer opens the rope to allow me to pass into the private section of the club. I make my way up the staircase. It feels even longer than it did before. Each step I take feels like my heart is being dragged through molasses —loud, trembling, and unsure whether it’s from fear or the thrill of finally being seen. Everyone up here has company, so no one is even paying attention to me.You want them to see you.

I start towards the hallway. Inspecting everything, I didn’t have the nerve to do it on the first night I was here. The doors read,The Voyeur room, The Red Throne, The Abyss, The Inferno, The Gilded Cage, The Velvet Noose, Pain and Pleasure.

I notice a single room tucked away past the Pain and Pleasure suite. I didn’t see it the last time I was here, but I didn’t pay attention to anything the last time I was here. I walk up to the last door. The plaque reads:The Sin Suite.

The Sin Suite? I don’t know what the other rooms mean, but this one seems enticing.Go Inside.

“Care to enter?” A deep voice booms behind me. I startle, turning to face a tall man with dark features. His voice has a sultry tone. He gives me a smirk. His mask only covers the top half of his face, making him less intimidating than some of the others.

“Oh, I was just looking,” I say quickly.

“Have you ever been in any of these rooms?” he asks with a curious expression.

“N-no, I haven’t.”

Liar. Why are you lying to him?

“Shall I explain?” he says with a dazzling smile. He has a lot of charm and seems like a gentleman, but the tattoos on his hands tell me he’s no saint.

“Yes, please,” I say softly.

I follow behind him to the first door.Be careful. You don’t know him.

“This is the Voyeur room, let’s just say this room has a dual purpose. It’s for those who like to watch… or be watched.”

He winks at me, and my cheeks blush. I keep my eyes on him as we walk to the next door.