Page 37 of Ruthless Savage

There’s something dangerous about not seeing faces. Yet the anonymity is exciting in its own way. I can appreciate the appeal of doing things with strangers that you’ll never see again.

Of course, I wouldn’t do anything here. It’s not why I came. It was curiosity more than anything.

Once we get out of the car, the masks already on, a man in a tux and a simple black masquerade disguise heads our way.

“That’s Adam,” she whispers to me, practically bouncing.

She really likes him. I’ve never seen her this way before.

“Ladies.” He nods, giving us each a quick kiss on the cheek. “You both look incredible. I hope you’re ready to have fun.”

“Ugh…” is all I can manage.

“Don’t mind her.” Karen waves me off. “She’s just nervous. You’ll be fine!” she says to me.

“You don’t have to do anything you’re not into,” he offers as we start for the entrance. “You can just watch. There’s a lot to see here.”

“When is the next party?” Karen asks, her tone full of excitement.

He chuckles. “I think the next one is the following week. They usually pop up every weekend.”

“That’s so cool!” Karen grabs my hand and gives it a little squeeze.

I don’t think any of this is cool. Insane and wild come to mind, and I haven’t even been inside.

When we arrive at the entrance, the guard scans our masks, which apparently have devices in them that contain our membership numbers. This is terrifying. What if someone connects me to the number somehow? My father would have my head.

“Phone.” The man in the red devil’s mask outstretches his palm, a plastic bag in his other hand.

“We have to give them our phones?!” I whisper to Karen.

Adam answers instead. “Yes. It’s required so no one takes pictures or videos. They can’t let anything get leaked. The bags are attached to our membership numbers, and they are placed in a secure area.”

“My God… Who runs this place?” My eyes wander to the large crystal chandelier beyond the closed entry doors centered in the lobby, the marble beneath sparkling white.

“A very rich and powerful family,” he murmurs into my ear. “You don’t want to know them. Trust me.”

A shiver runs up my back. Whatever waits for us inside is going to have me running back toward the exit. I guarantee it.

Once we’re done checking in, we’re ushered inside by a woman in a red strappy gown, who takes us into an elevator.

She enters after us, and with the press of a button, we rise in seconds to the top floor.

My stomach dips with adrenaline and I start to regret this. I’m Eriu Quinn. A good girl. I don’t go to sex clubs!

Ding.

As soon as we arrive, Karen’s pulling me out, rushing toward the sultry music beating from all around. It’s not as loud as you’d find in a dance club, yet still enough to mask the noises I’m sure we’ll hear the further we go.

Two masked men in tuxes nod at us as they each open a door and welcome us inside.

I expect to see sex immediately, but instead, there are people dancing, dressed to the nines. Blingy jewelry, sweeping gowns. Men in tuxedos. The room lit up by dark purple and blue LED lights.

If it wasn’t for the knowledge of where I am, I’d think I was at a fancy wedding or something like that, but no, this is just an illusion.

Once we continue onward, the doors shut behind us, and my heart skips a beat.

We move past into a large area, where more people dance and kiss one another. Adam leads us down a corridor, and as I glance into the rooms we pass, I know exactly where we are.

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