Page 38 of Corrupted Pleasure

“That one is not twenty-one,” he said, his eyes on Wynter. Of course the guy would know. Her uncle owned the club.

Wynter pushed her curls out of her face and smiled. “That’s okay. I can just get a glass of water.”

Ivy looked a tad bit too green. “Actually, can I get ginger ale?”

“Me too.” I jumped at the opportunity. My stomach couldn’t handle any more alcohol.

“Make it another ginger ale,” Juliette chimed in. This must attest to how bad she felt too.

Three glasses of ginger ale and one tall glass of water, the four of us grabbed our glasses and clanked them, then drank them down.

Ivy whistled the mockingjay’s song and my head snapped to her. Ever since the first tribute comment,TheHunger Gameshad become the theme of our stupid discussions.

“Why are you whistling?” I asked her.

“It’ll be our signal,” Juliette answered, then giggled.

She followed up with another mockingjay whistle. Wynter frowned and the two of us shared a glance, then she shrugged one shoulder. At least I wasn’t the only one confused. Either that or Ivy and Juliette had gone off the deep end and becomeHunger Gamesfanatics. Or maybe they were still drunk from yesterday.

“Okay, Wynter,” Juliette murmured, suddenly serious. “Time for you to get on top of the bar.”

“Climbing up will be a bitch with this short dress,” she muttered under her breath, downing the rest of her water, then slamming it down onto the bar. It was all for the show. Only the four of us and the bartender would know she drank water, not something stronger.

“A fucking Olympic winner and you’re complaining about climbing a bar stool,” Juliette scoffed, rolling her eyes. “Get your ass up there.”

I noticed Wynter’s guy lingered at the door, talking to another man who had his back to us. I turned to alert Wynter but it was too late.

She was already climbing onto the bar, giving us all a glimpse of her perfect Olympic ass. Juliette snapped her fingers, and Selena Gomez’s song “Hands to Myself” came on at full volume.

A loud three-toned whistle pierced the air by Juliette and grabbed everyone's attention instantly. Men whipped their heads around, and it took no time at all for all the attention to be on Wynter dancing on top of the bar. The three of us watched as men leered at her moving sensually and seductively on top of the bar to the song, her golden curls catching the light with each move.

“Quinn is on the move,” Juliette murmured under her breath, never glancing my way.

That was my cue. Juliette and Ivy climbed onto the bar next, one on each side of Wynter. Now, they truly looked like an Irish flag up there. I slipped through the crowd as the cheering became louder and louder. Right as I exited, I glanced over my shoulder and caught my best friends’ eyes on me. They pressed three middle fingers of their left hand to their lips and held them out to me.

We tookHunger Gamesto a whole new level with this shit. It was undoubtedly overboard.

Fuck it.

I returned the greeting. Might as well go down in flames, like Katniss. From the corner of my eye, I caught the force of a man in jeans and an impeccable button down shirt at the furthest end of the room. He looked furious and was still panty meltingly hot. His presence alone commanded the place, and for a fraction of a second, I lingered there and stared, admiring the view.

The song switched to “Legends Are Made” by Sam Tinnesz, and I knew all hell would break loose any minute. If anyone could rile up the crowd it was Wynter. And Juliette’s performance wouldn’t be far behind.

With an exhale, I moved through the hallway and toward the office where Juliette said the safe would be. Ignoring everyone I passed, I kept my head low and ensured I made no eye contact.

Finally at my destination, I pressed the handle of the office door and to my surprise it opened. Glancing over my shoulder, I confirmed nobody was looking my way and I slipped into the office with a soft click behind me.

Without any delay, I rushed to the painting Juliette described. Authentic Picasso. Jesus, we should just steal the painting and we’d get the money we needed for my ex. I never thought having an ex would be so goddamn expensive.

Removing the painting off the wall, my hands trembled nervously as I raised them.

08-29-19-98.Combination code.

I should have known things weren't going to go the way we planned.

CHAPTER14

Liam