Page 39 of Masked Darling

He heard a car pull into the parking lot and turned to watch an Uber pull up beside him. Sadie stepped out, her silhouette backlit by the lights from the street. She wore a sleek black sequined mini dress that hugged her curves and petite frame. Her blonde hair was styled in soft waves, and her lips were painted a deep red that contrasted with the paleness of her skin. But it was the motorcycle boots—worn and well-traveled—that really made the look. She always wore them and Kadeassumed she’d wear heels for tonight. But a part of him was glad she didn’t. This was a woman who he respected through and through, and seeing her keep that part of herself even when they were about to go through hell, was comforting to him in a way he couldn’t quite explain.

Sadie’s eyes locked onto Kade’s, and she approached without hesitation, her boots clicking softly against the asphalt as she walked toward him.

“You ready for this?” Sadie whispered.

Kade nodded, looking over her outfit before returning to her eyes. “Yeah. You look... perfect for the part.” He offered her a small, strained smile.

“Right back at you,” Sadie replied, arching an eyebrow as she gave him a once-over. “I’m not used to seeing you so... formal.”

He couldn’t help but smirk at that. “This is the best I can do, given the circumstances.”

Sadie’s eyes softened for a moment, but her expression quickly hardened as she looked toward the entrance of The Serpent Pit. “I’m guessing you’ve talked with Jagger about the plan for tonight?”

“Yeah,” Kade said, pulling a satchel from his bike. He unzipped it slowly, his movements deliberate as he pulled out two black masks. He handed one to Sadie before holding the other in front of his face. The masks were simple, plain black with a small cut-out for the eyes—the ones everyone inside would be wearing. “Several times over. And here, they gave me these.” He handed her the note that had been tucked into the satchel alongside the masks.

The initiation will take place as planned. You and your companion are expected toarrive by 10 pm. Please ensure you bring her with you, as this is the only way you can go through the initiation process. Should you be successful, we will discuss the next phase and possible placement in our gang at the end of the evening.

Regards,

Montana

Green Light Gang

Sadie read the note in silence, chewing her bottom lip as she took in the words. When she finished, she folded it neatly and handed it back to Kade who stuffed it back in his satchel.

“After we’re inside I’ll try to get Madison into the back office. They’ll probably try to keep us separated at first, but once they get us settled in, I’ll slip away. Can you keep an eye on things while I get Madison hidden? You’re good to distract them, right?”

Sadie didn’t hesitate. “Of course.” She slipped the mask over her face, securing it tightly before turning back to Kade. “What about us? I know Jagger wants this to be an easy thing with no repercussions but you know that’s not going to happen, don’t you?”

Kade sighed, his hands running through his dark hair as he stared at the ground. Unfortunately, he knew all too well that there would be some rough things happening tonight for all involved. “Yeah. I hate that you’re in this position. I want to apologize now for anything I do that might make you uncomfortable.”

Sadie took a step closer and placed a hand on his forearm. When Kade looked at her, she gave him a kind smile–almost likeshe was trying to console him. His brother was a lucky son of a bitch, that was the truth. Sadie was a special kind of loyal that you couldn’t find if you tried.

“Look, I know this is weird, but I’m prepared for whatever needs to happen tonight. But you need to know something—” She paused, making sure Kade was listening, his eyes locking onto hers. “I’ll do whatever I have to do to get Madison out of here to take these guys down. If that means playing the part... if that means putting my hands on you—” She leaned in slightly, her voice steady. “Then I’m going to do it.”

Kade’s chest tightened, his heart pounding in his ears.

He knew she was serious. Sadie always was.

“I don’t want you to feel like you have to do anything,” Kade said, his voice rough. “But if it comes down to it... If they make us play it up, we’ll do it. But I won’t let them touch you.”

Sadie tilted her head, her lips curling into a sly grin. “Kade, don’t worry about me. I can handle a few assholes. I’m engaged to your brother, remember?”

Kade chuckled and checked his phone for the time before taking her hand in his and guiding her towards the doors.

“Let’s go.”

The music was deafening as Kade and Sadie stepped into The Serpent Pit. Gremlin ushered them in and gave Sadie’s arm a gentle squeeze as she brushed past him as if to say he’d be there to keep her safe, too. They had backup all around them and the cavalry would be there in just over an hour. The bass thumped through their chests as they walked further inside to the chaotic rhythm ofGirls, Girls, Girlsblaring through the speakers. It was a loud contrast to the silent, tense atmosphere outside where they had been gathering their nerves.

“This music is absolute garbage,” she muttered, leaning close enough for Kade to hear over the booming sound. “I mean, seriously—my usual playlist is so much better than this nonsense. I know we have a pole here but have some taste, fucking hell.”

Kade couldn’t help but snicker, the tension in his chest easing for a split second. He squeezed her hand, the only contact they had left as they entered the den of snakes. “Careful, Sadie. I’m going to start to think you’re just here to critique the music,”he teased as they moved forward, making their way through the crowd.

Kade spotted Jagger almost immediately. He was behind the bar, his sharp eyes scanning the sea of bodies like a hawk from behind his black mask. By his side was Camille, a familiar figure with her signature pink hair and a black mask covering her face just like the rest of them. She was busy serving drinks, but Kade noticed her falter when she spotted him. That same worry filled his gut again. And the thought of her being in danger now, too, made his stomach feel like it would eat itself alive.

There were too many people. Too many bodies moved in a haze of neon lights and half-drunk lust as they started making groups near the temporary beds they set up in the bar again. It seemed that there were even more than there were last time. Kade looked around desperately for Madison but he couldn’t find her.

Sadie squeezed his hand, giving him a gentle pull forward, and he followed her lead, desperate to keep his focus.

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