Page 401 of Rage

I feel my face fall, but I try to hide it. “Oh, no problem. I understand. I really didn’t mean to put you on the spot. Just thought it would be nice to talk about something elsewithsomeone else. Some other time, maybe.”

“Yeah, some other time.”

She backs away with a wave and then turns to continue down the street.

I stand there for a moment, watching her go. Part of me wants to call out to her to try again. But I respect her too much for that. I know she struggles with getting close to people, and I won’t push.

Besides, I tell myself,there’s always next time.

So, can someone explain to me why I actuallydidstart to follow her?

I don’t know what possessed me to jump in the subway car connected to hers, but I’m here now.

The ride is long, and I almost lose her a few times when she gets off the N train. I tail her from a distance as she walks through the station and up to the street.

Astoria. Huh. I guess it’s safe as far as neighborhoods go around here. Definitely full of actors and struggling artists.

I follow her down the street, keeping to the crowds. She walks with purpose, her head down, hands in her pockets. Mila said she had plans tonight, which I never expected her to say. Part of me feels she might just be making it up so that I will leave her alone.

I mean, I just followed her home. Based on recent events, if her spidey senses were telling her I was a creep, I would have to agree.

As I close the distance between us, I bump into a group of college students complaining about their professor, and I spot her entering a beautiful old building. It’s one of those pre-war apartments with high ceilings and intricate moldings.

Well, she definitely has some money.

I hang back, not wanting to be seen, and watch as she lets herself in. It’s a spring night, so I grab a coffee and a pastry from the Greek bakery across the street. I’m unsure what to expect,but I’m determined to find out where she goes. She’s mentioned a few times that she’s a hermit, so where is she going?

Time ticks by, and I finish my coffee, but there’s no sign of her.

Maybe she’s not coming back out, and I contemplate leaving.

Definitely think I’m a creep.

But just as I’m about to give up, I see her emerge from the front doors. She looks different—her hair is up, and she’s changed into a simple black dress with her jacket over her shoulders. It clings to her curves in all the right ways, and I feel my breath catch in my throat.

She walks as quickly as her red heels will let her, and I step behind her, keeping my distance. She heads down towards the old subway station, and my curiosity grows. There aren’t many places down here—just a few old warehouses and...

That’s when it clicks into place.

I know where she’s going. There’s a sex club down here, hidden away. I’ve heard about it from the guys at work but had never been. Mila mentioned it once, a while back but I didn’t think too much of it at the time. She said it was a safe place to be herself without judgment. I assumed it was something she did once or twice.

My heart races as I realize what I’ve stumbled upon.

I stop following her, letting her disappear into the unmarked door under the single red light above it. I don’t need to see any more.

Besides, I have a good idea of where this night is headed for her.

And if this is where she feels comfortable, I’m getting a membership.

Chapter Three

Mila

Istep into the dimly lit club entrance, a familiar rush of anxiety coursing through me. I’ve been here dozens of times but it still stresses me out to check in. The bass from the music thumps softly in the background, but it fades as I approach the ornate gold metal security desk.

The bouncer, a massive figure with arms like tree trunks, nods as I approach. He checks my ID and scans me up and down. His eyes are impassive, like he’s seen it all before, and nothing shocks him anymore.

“Same deal tonight?” he asks, his voice gruff but not unkind. I think his name is Ben or Bill, but I can’t remember. There are a lot of bouncers here.

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