Page 142 of Theirs to Desire (Club M: Boxed Set)

KIERA

I thought I’d be a nervous wreck tonight but working at the bar calms me down. Even though it’s early, the club is already much more crowded than usual. Well-dressed people gather around the floor shows.

This year, Xavier’s recruited what appears to be members of an erotic circus.

Near the bar, a naked woman, her entire body coated in gold paint, juggle a half-dozen flaming torches.

The ceiling is covered with rigging, and a pair of trapeze artists soar from one side of the room to the other.

There are jugglers, ballerinas, acrobats, strolling musicians—everywhere my eye lands, there’s a new wonder to be seen.

Club M is on display tonight, and it’s pulled out all the stops.

I’ve just finished mixing a martini for Eric Kane when Diane James hurries up to the bar.

Diane has been a member for about five years now, though she’s rarely here.

A few months ago, she confessed to me that the only reason she joined the club was to keep an eye on her younger sister, Heather.

“She has terrible taste in men,” she’d slurred after one too many margaritas.

“She keeps dating these assholes who hit her and call it BDSM. Now she’s joined a sex club so she can meet more of them.

She’s an adult. Why doesn’t she act like one? ”

I could relate to Diane’s desire to protect her baby sister. I’d cut her off and called her a cab, and that night, I’d gone home and cried about my failure to take care of Bianca.

Diane looks terrible. She’s not wearing a mask, unlike most of the people on the floor. Her eyes are red, and her mascara is smudged, which is extremely unlike her. I smile at her automatically. “Ms. James, what can I make you to drink?”

“Kiera, thank heavens you’re here. I need help.”

Her hands shake. There’s a tremor in her voice. I frown in concern. “Of course. What can I do for you?”

“Heather’s boyfriend,” she spits out. “He beat her. She’s badly hurt, Kiera. We were both going to come to the club tonight. When I walked into her apartment…” Her eyes fill with tears. “I didn’t dare take her to the hospital. Paul is a Secret Service agent. I drove straight here.”

Oh God. “Where’s Heather?”

“In the car. She can’t walk; her ankle is sprained. I didn’t want to make a scene.”

No, no matter what the situation, Diane James would never want to draw attention to herself. I doubt that Paul is a serious threat; Diane probably just didn’t want to take Heather to the hospital where people were bound to ask questions. Heather is an actress; it’ll end up in the tabloids.

“Xavier knows how to keep this quiet,” she continues. “Can you help me get Heather upstairs, Kiera?” She looks around. “Please? Heather’s new movie comes out in two weeks.”

I could tell her that any of the club security staff would be happy to help her, and all of them can be trusted, but she didn’t ask them; she asked me.

She thinks I’ll be discreet. Diane isn’t a friend, but I still can’t say no to her.

I’ve felt what she’s feeling right now, the helplessness that comes with being unable to protect someone from themselves.

“Sure,” I say, taking off my apron. “I’ll be happy to. ”

We hurry to the parking lot. Diane’s BMW is parked in the north-eastern corner. My phone beeps as I follow her, and I glance down at it. It’s Caleb. I’m about to pick it up when a hand grabs my wrist.

“I don’t think so,” Luis Fernando Martinez says. “Hello, Kiera. Where’s your sister?”