Page 3 of Claim

It was another thing I mostly accomplished. Because of him, I’d turned into this girl. I’d hardened myself. I built walls. I let others believe what they wanted about me. As a result, I’d lost the essence of Sophia Donatella Morelli.

Fuck it.

I knew where I had to go, someplace where I felt free, or at least some semblance of free.

Taking the steps toward the exit, I texted my driver, telling him my destination.

No more voyeur for me. No more fascination with the lifestyle that called to me. No more fear of exploring what lurked inside me.

I planned to live in the moment.

Now, I only had to find the right someone to introduce me to the many facets of this new territory.

CHAPTER TWO

I studied my reflection in the mirror across from me one last time, giving my face a once over from all angles and then stepping back.

There was freedom in the exchange of control. Of power. Or so I’d heard.

I wouldn’t know, as I lived a life playing on a knife’s edge.

The wild child, the party girl, the disappointment no one could bring to heel. Those were the terms used to describe me.

Who was Sophia Donatella Morelli?

With any luck, I’d find out tonight. No matter what, I’d keep searching until I discovered the girl hidden deep inside me and set her free. I’d tell her she was safe and could be herself without consequences.

Wasn’t that why I’d gone to my brother Lucian’s club? Why I stood here in one of Violent Delights’ dressing rooms, preparing to join the patrons of the establishment?

This club called to something in me. It was a hedonistic and strictly forbidden space reserved for those with certain mindsets and varying palates of desires. I relished my time here, whereas I’d despised every second spent at the Stingers Lounge.

I smoothed out the silk accents on the form-fitting bustier I’d custom-designed to fit the curves of my body and adjusted the garter belts and stocking on my thighs.

If my mother saw me in this, would it scandalize her? Or would she shake her head and wonder where she’d gone wrong with me?

More than likely, the latter.

Sarah Morelli had given up on me a long time ago. She’d rather believe the worst than come to me even once and ask if any of the rumors about me were true. When in all actuality, the things posted about me were purely fabricated ninety-nine percent of the time.

I embodied the black jewel nestled among her sea of pure white diamonds. She’d never believe that I was probably the most innocent of her precious daughters. But, then again, the perceptions about me became a reality when one was the nonconformist in the Morelli household. I’d rather push back than continually have my voice silenced.

Shake it off, Sophia. This wasn’t the time for a pity party.

Turning, I closed my eyes for the briefest moments to release all the tension in my body. Finally, after a few breaths, I had my confidence firmly in place and stepped out of the door.

An air of dripping sensuality engulfed me as I walked down one of the private hallways decorated in rich splashes of blues, maroons, and shades of gold.

Tonight, I planned to enjoy, watch, and forget about anything the outside world believed about me. I wasn’t Sophia Morelli. I was just a masked woman exploring.

Who was I kidding?

As Lucian’s sister, I couldn’t disappear here even if I tried. And I’d tried, even going as far as to wear a wig and colored contacts on my first visit. But my status as the owner’s sibling came out to the club patrons before I’d stepped into the lounge.

I’d considered visiting other clubs but decided against it. No matter how hard I tried, my celebrity status posed a risk I couldn’t shed.

At least here, I was safe.

I wouldn’t have to worry about tabloids, gossip, photographs, or invasion of my privacy.

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