Page 30 of Gilded Dreams

“Sure, Atlas. Anything you want.”

Ten

Kandy

The men are all breathing deeply as I slip on my high heels. I take a slip of paper from the coffee table with the Society’s logo across the top and quickly find a pen from a nearby drawer to scribble a note.

I leave it on the table next to Atlas’ cufflinks. At the door I pause briefly and look back over them in the large bed. I could stay. But these three have to do more to earn my heart than a simple night of decadence and sin. They’ll have to work for it.

I take another look at my note and smirk.

I ease from the room and retrace my steps to the entrance only to find it darkened and no one at the door I arrived through.

Okay.

I go in search of another way out when I hear faint music coming from a closed door off to my left. I head that way and find a bartender shelving bottles and cleaning up from the previous evening. The large gathering area is empty as I assume everyone has gone off to their designated rooms for the night long ago.

I go to check my clutch for my phone to see the time but stop short.

“Excuse me…”

I’m greeted with a warm smile. “Theo.”

“Hi, Theo. I’m wondering where I might find Charlotte? Have you seen her? She has my phone and shawl.”

God, please don’t let me look like I was just ravished by three men all night long. I casually glance at my wrists to make sure I’m not sporting marks I should be hiding.

If I do, the nice man behind the polished bar who is about my age-ish is gentleman enough not to say anything, bless him. “I’m sorry, she’s gone home for the evening.”

My heart sinks. Crap. Now what? My lips quirk up in a smile. “Then maybe you can help me find my cell phone?”

He sets aside a glass and rounds the bar. “Sure. Give me a minute. There’s one central place they are kept.” I give him my name and he disappears behind an unmarked red door. In a few minutes the nice bartender reappears and hands over my cell phone.

“Thanks, Theo.”

“Did you enjoy your stay at The Gilded Key Society?”

My porcelain skin turns redder than the decor on this side of the club. Where everything is black in the private section I entered through, this side is embellished in various shades of red. The consistent details between both sides are the chandeliers and the tone of opulence. Crystal and gold accents pair well with the buttery soft leather.

Theo waves me off with a light laugh. “Got it. Don’t answer that, sweetheart. I shouldn’t have asked.” He chuckles lightly.

My spine goes rigid when I hear deep voices and hints of my name followed by cursing coming from behind me.

Honestly, I didn’t think I’d get this far without my SEALs waking. They must have enjoyed tonight as much as I did.

“Or trusted you not to leave while they slept,” my inner critic retorts sardonically.

My pulse jumps into overdrive as the voices grow closer, so I ignore Theo’s use of the lighthearted endearment I’m sure he uses on everyone. “Is there another exit I might be able to use?” I ask him hopefully.

He sees my panic and ushers me forward. Theo shows me to the front door after handing me my shawl and I quickly swipe my thumb over the digital reader of my phone. Several missed calls pop up from… “What the heck?” Joshua? How the hell did he get this number? My fingers tremble, and I clear the screen and focus on my next move rather than the dreadful pit of fear taking root in my gut.

More snow has fallen, and the temperatures are nearing frozen fingers and toes territory.

The street is empty and there’s no sign of my driver. I pull his name up and tap the call option. The phone rings and I dance from foot to foot to fight off the cold.

Several seconds of no one picking up pass before it hits voicemail. At this hour it would be easier for me to call an Uber. Maybe I should go back inside?

No. I can’t let this all happen so easily for them. It’s just a little cold out. They cut me to the core with their scathing words six years ago. One night, a ledger, and a contract won’t erase that pain. A part of me says I’m being stupid, but the part of my heart and soul still huddled in the corner from the pain of their actions and words puts steel in my spine. I shelve the idea of running back to them the second I feel even the slightest bit uncomfortable and open my Uber app.

---