Page 83 of Forsaken Oath

I downshift, the engine revving as I approach the curve. At the last second, I yank the emergency brake and crank the wheel hard to the left. My car skids sideways, tires screaming as I drift around the sharp bend. The smell of burning rubber fills the air. I let off the brake and punch the gas as I straighten out; the force slamming me back into my seat.

In my rearview mirror, the police cruiser tries to make the same maneuver but overcorrects. It fishtails wildly before spinning out. As much as it eats away at me not to, I don’t slow down or stop. I just keep driving, putting as much distance between us as possible.

Two minutes later, I’m rewarded with a glowing neon pink silhouette of a woman.

My goddamn salvation is a gentleman’s club.

36

ELOISE

I always knewwomen would save the world, but I didn’t expect them to save mine today.

Pulling into the above ground parking garage, I zip through the first floor, parking in a spot closest to The Velvet Room. I park my car and turn off the engine, my heart still racing in my chest. I close my eyes and take three deep breaths, trying to calm my frayed nerves. In through the nose, out through the mouth. In, out. In, out.

Before the adrenaline can ebb, I hear more sirens.

“Fuck, those sound close.”

Looks like I’m going inside The Velvet Room tonight. I lock up my car and jump over the half-wall that separates the parking garage and the sidewalk.

I peek my head around the corner of the wall, scanning the street for any sign of flashing lights. The sirens sound like they’re only a block or two away, but I don’t see the telltale red and blue glow reflecting off the buildings.Yet.

Heart pounding, I wait one beat, two, watching and listening. The night air feels thick and heavy, like it’s pressing down onmy lungs. I force myself to take slow, even breaths despite the adrenaline surging through my veins.

When I’m certain the coast is clear, I make a break for it. My sneakers slap against the pavement. The glittering neon lights of The Velvet Room beckon me closer, promising sanctuary from the chaos nipping at my heels.

I reach the entrance, the bass from inside reverberating through the soles of my feet. A bouncer stands sentinel at the door, arms folded over his barrel chest and a frown tipping his lips. I approach him, trying to project an air of confidence I don’t quite feel. He’s a mountain of a man, easily over six feet tall with shoulders as wide as a doorframe. His dark eyes sweep over me, assessing.

“ID,” he grunts, holding out a meaty hand.

With slightly trembling fingers, I fish my driver’s license from my purse and hand it over. He studies it for a long moment, his gaze flicking between the small rectangle of plastic and my face.

“Go on in,” he rumbles, stepping aside.

Relief crashes through me as I mumble a thank you and hurry past him. The door swings shut behind me, muffling the sound of sirens wailing in the distance. I pause for a moment, letting my eyes adjust to the dim lighting inside the club.

The air is thick with the scents of booze, fog, and lust. Pulsing electronic music throbs through the darkened club, the heavy bass pounding in time with my racing heart. Neon lights flash and spin, painting the writhing bodies on the dance floor in hues of pink and blue.

I push my way through the crowd, keeping my head down and trying to blend in. Scantily clad women gyrate on raised platforms, their skin glistening under the strobing lights. Men in business suits lounge on plush couches, drinks in hand and eyes on the girls spinning around the poles.

I spot a darkened booth along the far wall and head toward it. My steps slow in front of a side stage where a woman is doing an upside-down splits halfway up a spinning pole. Jesus Christ, she looks strong as hell. I don’t think I could even hold myself up on that pole like that, let alone in a G-string.

I shake my awe off and practically jog the last few steps until I collapse into the booth. I look toward the front door, paranoia and anxiety whispering that the cops are going to show up any second, looking for me.

It’s an absurd thought, but I can’t shake it. After a full minute, I exhale and lean against the back of the booth.

“You followin’ me, Peach?”

I startle at the familiar deep voice, my head whipping around to find Beau sitting a foot from me. He’s wearing that devastating half-grin, his eyes gleaming with mischief in the dim light of the club.

“Beau,” I breathe out, equal parts surprised and relieved to see him. “What are you doing here?”

He chuckles, the sound low and warm, sending a shiver down my spine despite the heat of the packed club. “Same as you, I imagine. Trying to avoid some unwanted attention.”

I lean forward, my voice lowering. “Whatis going on? This city is crawling with cops.”

He curls an arm around my shoulders and tugs me to his side, eliminating the space between us. “It’s the Gauntlet, Peach.”

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