Page 10 of A Risk Worth Taking

“Ha ha,” I deadpan.

“In all seriousness, how’s it going?”

I sigh and plop onto my bed. “I’ve decided not to tell her anything.”

“El,” she groans.

“She’s pregnant again and happy, Rae. So fucking happy. Telling her will only open old wounds that she’s had a hard enough time closing. I’m not doing that to her.”

“So, what are you going to do? Avoid her forever?”

“No, I’m going to figure my shit out once and for all. Then I’m going to move home in May and be the best damn sister and aunt I can be.”

“And how are you going to do that?”

“The masquerade party.”

CHAPTER FIVE

ELLIE

Six Weeks Later

“This is a mistake.”

“No, it’s not,” Raelyn argues. “We’ll go in, you’llfinallyget laid, hopefully overcome your aversion to being intimate with the opposite sex, and then we’ll get out.Andwhile I’m waiting for you, I’ll hopefully get laid too.” She waggles her brows suggestively, and I groan, praying this plan doesn’t come back to bite me in the ass. In my head, it sounded like the perfect plan: show up, have anonymous sex with a guy I trust, and then leave. But now, as we walk toward Elite, a million thoughts are plaguing my mind.

“What if I can’t do it?” I stop and look at Raelyn, my heart pounding behind my ribcage. “What if I freak out? It’s anonymous sex because it’s in a dark room. What if all I see are those men who?—”

“Stop,” Raelyn says gently. “We’ve talked about this. You’ll focus on his voice, his scent. And you’ll take charge, insisting on being on top so it’s all in your control.”

“Okay, right, yeah.” I nod nervously.

“It’ll be okay, and if it’s not, you’ll get out of there, and I’ll be right outside the door waiting for you.”

“And what about you getting laid?” I lift a brow.

“You know I was only joking,” she says with a pointed look. “We’re here foryouand I have your back.”

“Thank you.” I glance behind me and take a deep breath. “All right, let’s do this.” We both put on our masks and walk around the corner toward the entrance of the underground sex club. “And don’t forget you’re me,” I remind her. “And I’m Sienna.” If we’re questioned, I know enough about my sister to bullshit my way out of it, and Raelyn knows enough about me. But my hope is that once I flash Sienna’s ID, they won’t ask for mine, so it’ll be as if I was never here.

I hand the bouncer Sienna’s license that I swiped out of her wallet on our way out, when I told her we were going to watch a late Broadway show in the city. Despite her being surprised to see me visiting so soon after my last visit, she was so excited to see me again, she didn’t question it.

“She’s with me,” I tell the bouncer when he glances from me to Raelyn. “My husband should be here soon.” I’m lying through my teeth—the kids are with their grandparents, so Sienna and Micah can enjoy a romantic Valentine’s Day at home—but I just need the lie to stick long enough to do what I came here to do. If all goes as planned, I’ll get in and out without anyone ever knowing I was here—or questioning if Sienna was ever here.

“Sounds good,” the bouncer says. “Have a nice evening, Mrs. Alexander.”

As we walk through the club toward the bar, I keep an eye out for Lincoln. Because there’s no way to recognize someone with their mask on, I snuck into his place earlier today and snapped a picture of his mask, so I’ll be able to recognize it. Thankfully,it was on his desk, in his home office. Otherwise, I’d be going at this blind, and that would not be good.

We do a couple laps around the club, and a few guys eye us, but we don’t give them a chance to approach. The club is filled with various shades of black and grey with a hint of red throughout, giving it a mysterious yet sensual vibe. There are lounge chairs and couches in various locations, making the area feel spacious yet intimate. Everyone is wearing masks, but a lot of them are only covering the minimum, so you can sort of see what their face looks like. Raelyn and I both went simple in little black dresses, unsure what the vibe would be, and I’m glad we did, because while a few went for a dramatic vibe, most are dressed in various sexy dresses—the men sporting suits.

I check the main area, then walk down a few hallways that are open and lead to different rooms and a couple of small bars. I’m about to suggest we get a drink at the main bar and wait, when I spot Lincoln strolling through, wearing the silver mask I saw—his tie matching.

“That’s him,” I murmur to Raelyn, nodding toward Lincoln. Even if I hadn’t seen what his mask looked like earlier, I’d still be able to recognize him. I spent years watching him, crushing on him. And even with me away, Sienna posts pictures of him all the time when they’re at family functions that I miss. “He’s heading toward the bar.”

“Good luck,” she whispers over the music. “And remember, I’ll be close by. If anything changes and you can’t do it, I’ve got your back.”

I wait for Lincoln to have a seat at the bar and order a drink before I sidle up next to him, having a seat and playing it off like I don’t notice him.

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