Page 6 of Such A Bad Girl

“Yes,” I said, nodding firmly. “And I want to go down there and experience it for myself”

“Oh.”

“Right,” I said. “I know I’m going to get a lot of pushback from West. Which is why I wanted to talk to you about it.”

“Well, I don’t have any say in it, Everleigh.”

”I know, it’s all West and Theo and Rian,” I admitted. “But West respects you, Kaylee. If you put in a good word for me, maybe he’d change his mind. I mean, you two haven’t even been hanging out there that much lately, right?”

“How did you know that?” she asked.

“I didn’t, not for sure,” I shrugged. “I just guessed, considering you two barely leave your house these days.”

She giggled adorably, and bit her lip.

“Look, I know for a fact West would not approve.”

“And I bet you think that’s not fair, don’t you? I’m an adult. I should be allowed to go wherever I want.”

She looked over at me skeptically while she drank her wine. Finally, she leaned over and whispered in my ear.

“You didn’t hear this from me, but there’s a masquerade party tonight after hours for potential new members of the temple.”

My eyes widened at her words.

“We’ve been inviting random people for a week or so. Everyone is supposed to show up scantily dressed and masked here at the club. If you showed up in disguise, nobody would know it was you. If you’re chosen, you’d get to spend a night downstairs.”

“That’s perfect!” I said. “But there’s just one problem. West.”

“West and I have a date at home tonight. So, don’t worry, I’ll be keeping him busy.”

“Oh, my god, Kaylee, you’re the best!” I flung my arms around her and hugged her tight.

“Hey, I get it,” she said, hugging me back.

I pulled away and sat back on my seat, my heart racing with anticipation.

“I know just what I’ll wear,” I said.

“Just make sure nobody recognizes you, or I’ll never hear the end of it from West,” she said.

“The end of what?” I said, batting my eyelashes innocently. “You didn’t say a thing.”

We laughed and I downed the rest of my wine.

“I need to go to the ladies room,” I said.

“I’ll come with you,” Kaylee said. We walked to the bathroom, weaving in and out of the crowd.

I could hardly contain my excitement. The party tonight was just the in that I needed. With just a little luck, I’d be finally experiencing the temple. I’d been intrigued since I’d overheard Theo and Rian talking about it one night. They had no idea I was listening, and I’d not said a word to either of them since, but I’d been silently watching them from afar.

Once, I’d snuck into Theo’s office when he wasn’t there and saw the video feed of the empty temple. I’d put two and two together and figured out just what was going on down there.

I’d been praying to get into the place since then.

And now, it looks like my prayers had been answered.

I was so lost in my thoughts that I wasn’t watching where I was going, and as I turned the corner that led to the back exit of the club, I ran smack into Theo’s wide barrel chest.

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