Page 5 of Calculated Chaos

“I love you, man. This is just a rough patch. We’ll get through it together.”

“I love you too.” He smiles, his mood visibly lifting. “Let’s do this.”

Chapter Three

HOLLISTER

Word to the wise. When you give Axel Penniston carte blanche on planning, he’s going to take it to the limit.

I knew this, and I need it, but my legs are literally shaking as the car pulls up in front of a downtown nightclub. Pretty people crowd the sidewalk waiting to get in, and every time the door opens, bass-heavy music spills out. I’m extremely out of my element. My social skills are equal to a raccoon’s, which is to say, pathetic. Sometimes I scream when faced with strangers. Internally, but still.

Chuckling, Axel grips my shoulder. “Relax. We aren’t going to that one. We’re going to that one.” He points to the quiet, nondescript building next to the club.

“Oh.”

We exit the car and cross the street toward the black brick building. It has really cool Gothic sconces by the door, which is huge, made of wood and metal with rivets and chain work around the frame. Two men in black suits stand out front a few steps from a car valet. There are no people waiting to get in and no loud music shaking the walls. I can’t imagine Axel brought me to a jazz club, but bless him if he did.

Axel confidently swaggers up to the two men who intimidate the fuck out of me with their muscles and hard looks, but nothing scares Axel. I wish I could be more like that.

He flashes his bright smile at the first man. “We should be on the list. Axel Penniston and Hollister Burke.”

The man glances down at his clipboard, then smiles as his whole demeanor morphs into a more welcoming one. “Welcome to Chaos. You’ll be greeted inside.”

The other man opens the door, gesturing for us to enter. As we step inside, I find it odd that this quiet club is called Chaos when the one next to it is where all the noise is happening.

Walking into the foyer is akin to what I think entering an old Gothic mansion would be like, with wood walls and black velvet furniture, a candelabra hanging from the ceiling, and splashes of deep red. A vampire mansion, if you will.

Right away, a woman steps out from behind velvet curtains, her face lighting up when she sees us. “Axel and Hollister?”

“That’s us,” Axel says.

“Wonderful. Welcome. I see you purchased the VIP experience.”

“Yep,” Axel answers. “We’re celebrating Hollister’s birthday.”

The woman smiles, taking me in. She has hair so blond it looks white under the lights, and she’s wearing a full-body latex bodysuit, complete with platform boots. She’s pretty in an intense way, and there’s a small thought in my mind that I should probably be attracted to her. I imagine most men are. I wonder if Axel is.

“Well, you’re in for an amazing time then,” she says. “My name is Sinister.” She winks at me. “You’ll check in with me after your experience is over, but your guide for the evening is Maxwell. He’s our best, so you’re in good hands.”

We have a guide for a nightclub? I am so confused right now. Sinister—interesting name—pours us two glasses of champagne and hands Axel a stack of papers.

“Quick NDA and the rules of the club. I’ll give you a few minutes to look them over and sign.”

Then she’s gone through the curtains again. Axel sits on the velvet loveseat, his attention on the paperwork.

“Uh, Ax?”

“Nope,” he says. “Just trust.” He glances up, smiling. “It’s advertised as a unique sensory experience for the discerning man.”

“And I fit that description how?”

Axel snorts a laugh, ignoring my question.

I sip my champagne, my mind filled with all kinds of questions. “It’s not a strip club, right?”

He laughs. “No.”

“Okay.”

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