Page 97 of Triumphant Kings

“I’m here to meet the guys.” I laugh. “They’re surprising me for our anniversary.”

“Really?” her brows furrow. “Huh. I haven’t seen them around. Even saw Preston leave like an hour ago.”

“You sure?” I ask. Maybe I should text them.

“Preston is here.” Sherry, one of the new bartenders, says. “Saw him go into your guys’ room just ten minutes ago.”

“Oh.” I grin. “Thanks.”

“He must have been just getting things set up for your big night.” Rosie winks. “Have fun.”

“I plan on it.” I grin.

Weaving my way through the crowd, I head to the back towards the rooms. Using my key card, I unlock the door and slip inside.

“Hello?” I look around the dimly lit room, but I don’t see anyone. My eyes find the bed and I smile. Rose petals are scattered on the bed with a little white note and a blindfold.

Reading the note, it says to put it on and wait in bed for them.

Laughing softly, I quickly do what it says and lie there, waiting, excitement and nerves amping up.

My heart starts to race when I hear the sound of the door click open. Licking my lips, I wait for someone to say something.

“Hello?”

“Shhh.” A voice whispers.

Smiling, I bite my lip as the bed dips. “Mhhm.” The deep husky voice rumbles. “Look at you.”

I’m not sure which one of my guys it is; their voice is almost a whisper.

“Do you know how long I’ve been waiting for this?”

My brows furrow. Something isn’t right here. My gut is screaming danger.

I rip the blind fold off and gasp when I see a man sitting on the bed. A man who isn’t one of mine.

“Who are you?” I hate how much my voice cracks. “And what are you doing here?”

It’s hard to see in here, but I can make out the curve of his creepy smile in the red light.

When he lifts his hand up to pull off his mask, pure terror takes my breath away.

“No.” I shake my head, tears stinging the back of my eyes. “This can’t be real. You're not here.”

“Oh, but I am.” He laughs, moving to crawl on the bed.

“Don’t come any closer!" I scream.

“Or what?” he cocks his head to the side. “Are you going to scream for help? Go for it. You and I both know this room is soundproof.” His laugh makes me want to puke. “And as far as anyone here knows, you're having a night alone with your men. No one’s going to come check on you.”

“You're the one who sent the letter.” It wasn’t my guys. It was so easy to think it was. I fell right into his trap.

“Those stupid men of yours.” He laughs, crawling closer. “They should be here, with their whore, but instead they’re working. When will you understand, Sadie? For men like us, the rich and powerful, love means nothing. Money and power mean everything. I was a god once,” he spits, “until you ruined everything.”

Closing my eyes, I try to keep the contents of my stomach down. He’s right. I could scream for help, but the club is loud, and these walls are soundproof. I just need to make it to the button on the wall by the door. It’s something the guys put in every room in case a session went wrong and someone needed medical help.

“You're supposed to be dead.” My heart thunders in my chest, eyes opening and flicking in the direction of the door. It’stoo far away. He’s too close. If I try to make a run for it, he’s going to catch me before I even make it off the bed.

---