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“Mozhete voiti,” he says in Russian after scanning us.You can go in.

“Spaseba.”Thanks.

We head for the entrance where a woman in a sleek black gown with a dramatic feathered mask steps aside, silently signaling for the elevator. She presses the button once we’re inside, and we rise in silence.

“I’m gonna need a drink,” Natalia whispers in my ear.

“Same.” I nod.

Konstantin did warn me that anything goes at his club and told me to be careful or he’d have a big mess to clean up. Of course, I knew what he meant. I’m not some naïve little girl who doesn’t know what sort of family she belongs to. They kill, and they do it easily.

I should know. I watched my father do the unspeakable when I was sixteen, and I still can’t get it out of my head, constantly having nightmares of that day.

I force myself to forget, though. Forget the monster I had to live with. Forget what he took from me.

Right now isn’t the time for that.

Tonight, I want to have fun and celebrate my birthday instead of being sucked into the past.

Once we arrive at the top floor, two guards with plain black masks let us through the doors, and the atmosphere changes the moment we enter. Flashing LED lights and hypnotic music surround us, creating an electric energy as bodies writhe together, lost in the music.

“This doesn’t look so bad,” Natalia whispers in my ear.

“That’s because this is only the beginning.” I scan the crowd, spotting a bar just to the right. “Let’s grab drinks first.”

No IDs are checked here, ensuring anonymity. Only those with permission, like us, are allowed entry. It’s one of the perks of being family or tied into Konstantin’s world. No one under twenty-one is allowed unless Konstantin says so, and that’s rare.

We squeeze through the crowd toward the bar, Natalia already chatting about the night ahead.

“What can I get you ladies?” a bartender asks, her chest completely out in a red corset, nipples covered with two ruby-red stones.

“I’ll have a cranberry vodka,” Natalia tells her.

“Me too.” Alisa nods.

“Make it three,” I tell the bartender.

She scans each of our masks, processing the order. Konstantin’s name is on our tab, but for others, everything gets charged to the card on file.

Minutes later, we’re sipping our drinks, the warmth flowing through me, but a strange knot of unease settles in my stomach. Of course I’d be nervous at a place like this. I glance around, letting my mind wander.

“I heard girls sell their virginities here,” Natalia says casually, swirling her drink.

“Marriage auctions too. Though I’m sure that’s not even the worst of it.”

A laugh dies in my throat when I catch sight of a man with a full-face demon mask dragging a woman through the crowd. That wouldn’t be so bad, except she’s on her hands and knees…and completely naked. Well, except for the black collar around her neck and a peacock mask. But other than that? Yep, butt-ass naked.

“Holy shit!” Alisa gasps, stepping back and bumping into me, which causes me to jolt backward.

And of course, my drink splashes right down my dress.

“Oh, come on,” I groan, staring at the stain spreading across the fabric.

“I’m so sorry!” Alisa’s face reddens as she grabs my empty glass.

“It’s fine,” I mutter. “Just grab some napkins, please.”

She turns to head toward the bar, but stops, eyes wide. Natalia stills too.