Page 37 of Toxic

Where the hell did Cara bring me?

Several floors overlook where we stand. There are tables scattered around oversized beds. Restraints hang from the ceiling over the mattresses. Everywhere I look, people are having sex.

"You brought me to a sex club?" I blurt out.

Cara laughs. "You don't have to do anything you don't want to. Come on. The VIP suites aren't like this." She pulls on my arm. We step aside as a server in nothing but a blingy thong passes us, carrying a tray lined with what I assume is cocaine and champagne.

"I'm a mom! I can't be here!" I claim, sobering up a bit.

Cara tilts her head. "You're more than a mom. You don't have to do anything you don't want to," she reiterates. "Let's have fun and forget about life. You need a good night out." She tugs me toward an elevator.

I should stop following her and call my driver to get me, but I don't. I get in the elevator with her, my stomach flipping faster as we approach the top level. When we step out, she tugs me into a suite.

A tall, dark-haired man steps forward. He greets her in Italian then kisses her cheek.

She replies in Italian, which surprises me. I wasn't aware she knew it, but I sometimes forget that she's been all over Europe. I only know a little from growing up around the Marinos. Cara tugs me closer to her. "Uberto, this is my friend Bridget."

He drags his eyes over my body then meets my gaze. His smile grows, and he leans forward, kissing my cheek. "Nice to meet you."

"Are you going to introduce me to your friend, Cara?" another man asks from behind me.

I spin, my stomach in knots. I'm not used to men looking at me or even talking to them. Since Sean died, I stay far away unless it's my father. This man is eyeing me up like he's a dog who hasn't eaten in days.

"Michelotto." Cara rises on her tiptoes. He plants a kiss on her cheek. She beams. "This is my bestie, Bridget."

He says something in Italian I don't understand while pinning his blue eyes on mine, then leans forward and kisses my cheek. "You're stunning."

I take a deep breath and smile, wishing I knew how to act around male attention. It's been so long, and it all feels uncomfortable. The only thing I focus on is my children. I've shot down offers from single dads at the school or men who talk to me at charity events, but I feel completely out of place in this social setting.

"What can I get you to drink, Bridget?" Michelotto asks.

I clear my throat. "Whiskey, please."

"Straight?"

I nod.

He licks his lips as if in approval. Cara grabs my hand and weaves me through the people to a set of couches. We sit, and Uberto slides his arm around her shoulder. "How have you been?"

She smiles. "Good."

"It's been a long time." His eyes dip to her chest, then he leans in and says something in her ear while gliding his hand between her thighs.

She giggles, murmuring something in his ear.

I shift in my seat, looking the other way.

Michelotto beelines toward us with two drinks in his hand. He sits next to me.

The hairs on my arms rise. I take the tumbler and down two large mouthfuls, but I've already drunk so much, it doesn't even burn.

Michelotto scoots closer. "You live in New York?"

I take a deep breath and turn to him. "Yeah. What about you?"

He smiles. "I roam between Italy and here. I'll be in New York for the next year at least."

I take a few more sips, trying to calm my nerves. He's good-looking and seems nice, but I didn't prepare myself to be in this situation. The VIP room doesn't have people screwing everywhere like downstairs, but people are making out. Women sit on men's laps. One woman has her dress off and is in her lingerie. It reminds me how I haven't had anyone touch me since...

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