Page 6 of Calculated Chaos

A minute later, he pushes the clipboard toward me. “Sign the NDA at the bottom. I guess they get celebs and shit here sometimes.”

“Ah, okay.” I sign it, not bothering to read it. Axel did, so good enough for me.

On cue, Sinister appears with a man beside her. He’s dressed in a suit similar to the men out front, except his suit is tight and deep red. He has a head of wild black curls, big brown eyes, and a very welcoming smile. He’s also wearing very high heels and bright red lipstick.

“Gentlemen,” Sinister says, “this is Maxwell.”

Maxwell bows slightly. “I’m happy to be at your service this evening,” he says. His voice is soft and with a soft lisp. “Ready to get started?”

“We are,” Axel says, gripping my shoulders from behind and pushing me gently forward.

Maxwell opens a door and the entire mood changes. There is indeed a club here, with music playing and bodies writhing together on a dance floor. The music is not what I’d expect though, with its pulsing electronic beats, sexy bass, and zero words. It’s dimly lit, as expected, and I swear I can feel the hypnotic thrum of the music in my soul.

“Are you guys a couple?” Maxwell asks as he leads us around the dance floor.

“A couple? Uh, no,” Axel answers. “Just best friends.”

“Oh, how fun,” Maxwell says. “You must be very close then.”

Axel gives me a confused look. I just shrug.

“Yeah, we’re close,” Axel answers. “We’ve been friends for thirty years.”

“Nice.” He smiles then leads us down a hallway where we stop in front of a wood wall. Not sure why we’re getting a tour of a hallway, but whatever. “Obviously,” Maxwell continues, “that was the main part of the club. Guests can visit that area if attending with a member, but no part of the club is open to the general public.”

We both nod. I gasp, stepping back a little as Maxwell presses a panel on the wall and it slides open to reveal an elevator.

“This part of the club is members and paid VIP guests only.” His smile grows. “This is where the magic happens. Are you ready to be blown away?”

“We are,” Axel says, nodding.

“Sure. Yeah,” I answer.

Maxwell smiles, putting his hand on my arm. “Don’t be nervous. This is the safest place you could possibly be. We pride ourselves on what we’ve created here. Come on.”

We step onto the elevator with Maxwell, only going up one floor before the doors open and my jaw drops. The space up here can only be described as luxurious. Sensual. Definitely inviting. There are a few tables with chairs, but the majority of the seating in the room is huge, fluffy pillows. Various groups of people lounge around on them.

My eye catches on a couple near us. The man looks to be older, maybe in his sixties, with a tailored suit on and salt-and-pepper hair. There’s a petite woman draped over him, clad in a pink sequined mini dress, her long legs curled up so she can fit in his lap. She turns her head to gaze at us and I realize quickly that person is not a woman. At least I don’t think so.

“This is the lounge,” Maxwell explains. “It’s meant for making connections, if you wish, or just relaxing before or after a scene.”

“Um, a scene?” I ask.

“Oh yes, a scene. As part of your package, you get twenty minutes in the dungeon.”

“Dungeon?” I repeat, slightly panicked as I shift my gaze to Axel. He smiles and shrugs.

“Maxwell, what is this place?” I ask.

He tilts his head. “You don’t know, darling? It’s a kink club.”

Chapter Four

AXEL

Yep. I’m dying tonight. Cause of death? Mortifying my best friend. Hollister looks like he wishes he could climb out of his skin as he twists around to face me with narrowed eyes.

“Kink club?” he questions through gritted teeth. “Why did you think I would like this?” he angry-whispers at me.

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