Page 51 of Thorns of Death

“Speak for yourself, woman,” Raven chimed in. “I have some freaky stuff in my bag too.”

For the rest of the ride, we discussedhypotheticalsexual experiences.

At least, I hoped they were.

* * *

Three hours later, we entered the club.

The bass of the loud music thumped, vibrations traveling up my body and deafening my ears. The bright lights flashed above the dance floor. Bodies ground against each other. Young. Beautiful.

Forgetting all our troubles for a while, the five of us made our way to the dance floor. For the night, we forgot Reina’s engagement. We ignored the haunting ghost of my mother and the secrets surrounding her. And we certainly didn’t talk about any men. We made the best of our time together.

We jumped and lip-synced, writhing and moving sensually but staying close together. Letting my eyes close, I swayed and felt the music envelop me. The songs blurred together. We danced our asses off.

Phoenix’s deafness was categorically profound, but she did have a sliver of hearing left. She could hear some loud music and feel its vibrations. When she danced, you’d never guess that she was deaf. Until they would see us sign to each other and found her lacking. It certainly didn’t deter men from ogling her, but she’d simply smile sweetly to them before flipping them off with both middle fingers.

She said she’d either be accepted as she was or she’d remain single for the remainder of her life.

All of us wore high heels and short sparkling dresses, and it took no time for our feet to start hurting. When a familiar song came on, we froze. Reina signed to her sister, letting her know it was “Truth Hurts” by Lizzo blasting through the speakers.

We spun and twirled, screamed the lyrics and laughed. We let the music carry us off to a place where nothing and nobody mattered. Where it was just us. Where we were free.

Phoenix grabbed my cell and started recording us while we shook our asses, limbs jiving and hips rolling. The words to the song were our bible, and we were having a blast studying it. Yet I couldn’t help but think of the dark eyes and rough hands that knew how to touch me.

Shoving the thoughts of a handsome Italian man out of my mind, I enjoyed the moment. We continued on as one song after another blared, and it almost felt like old times. Before college. Before Reina’s accident. Before the murder. Before the secrets and the pact. And definitely before Enrico Marchetti and his supposedly dead wife.

Many songs and even more drinks later, I needed a break. I leaned over and tugged on Reina’s arm.

“I have to use the bathroom; I’ll be right back.”

She nodded and gave me a thumbs-up.

My feet throbbing and my head slightly woozy, I made my way down the long hallway to the stairs to the VIP section. The bathrooms were usually cleaner there. The man guarding the stairs threw a glance my way and instantly dismissed me.

“Hello, can I use the VIP bathrooms, please?” I said loudly, sticking to English. They were usually nicer to tourists. I smiled sweetly, smoothing my hands down my minidress, hoping he’d give me another look and decide I belonged in the exclusive bathrooms.

The man didn’t even look my way. “Use the ones downstairs.”

I let out a groan. “Where is the famous Russian hospitality?”

“You’re in the wrong country.”

I narrowed my eyes on him. What a dick!

Turning on my heel, I headed back down the dark, empty hallway. My mind whispered that it was the classic way to get murdered. A dimly lit sign flickered, and while I tried to decide whether it looked like a toilet or exit, I heard a faint moan.

My feet were moving before I could stop myself. Tiptoeing and keeping my heels from hitting the marble floor, I kept to the wall as I made my way to the door. The heavy metal door was slightly ajar, the sound of music less intense here and I peeked through the crack.

The cool night air washed over my face and bare shoulders, sending a shiver through me.

Another moan.

My eyes followed the sound and I saw two figures in the darkness. A woman leaned against the wall, her legs parted and her long skirt bunched up.She was being pleasured. My lips curved up into a grin. Good for her.

Just as I was about to move, a muffled voice sounded. A familiar one.

“I’m yours forever, Sofia.” Holy… shit. It was two women. Then, just in case I was unsure, the woman who was getting serviced gathered an abundance of the other woman’s dark hair between her hands and gripped it tightly. “Get rid of her and I’ll eat you out. Day. Night. I’ll do anything you want.”