9. Zac

NINE

zac

THE INVITATION I'D received earlier in the week was odd, that was for sure. Part of me had wanted to ask East about it, since if it was for a party, surely he'd have heard something.

It didn't seem like a party, though. More like an invite to join a fraternity. But since I was a few weeks out from finishing my master's, that couldn't be the case either. My interest was piqued enough that it had stayed on my mind the last few days.

By the time Friday night rolled around, I'd finished my shift at The Cellar, one of my family's chain of high-end restaurants, grabbed a shower at my place, and debated whether it was a smart idea to head downstairs to see who arrived.

I didn't even know what the dress code would be if I took up the offer, since I had no idea where we'd be going. The safe bet was always to overdress rather than throw on whatever sweats were lying around. I doubted anyone using a wax seal was the t-shirt and jeans type.

All black it was. Since I hadn't gotten any use out of the outfit I'd worn when East begged to get inside the nonexistent club, I threw it on. It'd gotten a reaction out of him, after all, and East was a picky bastard. If it was good enough for his tastes, it'd be good enough for wherever I was going.

This is fucking crazy, I thought as I headed down to the lobby of my Upper West Side apartment. With Central Park across the street, it was the perfect location for me, since early morning runs kept my head clear and my body in the best shape of my life.

The doorman nodded at me as I walked out into the chilly night. It wasn't the cold that made me shiver, though, but the plum-colored Rolls-Royce Phantom that slowed to a stop along the sidewalk directly in front of me.

Holy shit. Is that for me? No way…

The driver stepped out, came around to the side of the car, took hold of the door handle, and looked at me expectantly.

"Will you be accepting the offer, Mr. Fletcher?"

Well, I guess that answered the is it for me? question, but how? Who? Why? I didn't recognize the man dressed in a pristine black suit, cap, and white gloves, but maybe he'd give me a little more information before I got into the most expensive car that had ever picked me up.

Like I'd turn down a ride in that .

"Who is the offer from?" I asked.

Silence.

"Can you at least tell me where I'll be going?"

The driver simply looked at me, staying silent.What was so confidential he couldn't tell me?

He glanced at his watch, then at me, and when I didn't make a move to get in, he straightened his cap and started to walk off.

"Wait," I said. This was insane. I knew that. But damn if curiosity—and the amazing limo—didn't win out over my rationality.

I started toward the car, and he opened the door, letting me inside, but the second I realized I wasn't the only one he'd picked up tonight, the door was slammed shut behind me.

"What the hell?" I was still half standing as I stared at East, who had his feet kicked up on the reclining seat, lounging there like he owned the place.

Shit, did he own it?

The way his eyes widened when he saw me, though, told me that he hadn't been expecting me.

"Well, well, well." He held up his invitation. "I'm guessing you didn't send this?"

"Uh, no. How do I know you didn't send it?"

"Because while I'm all about a good prank, I know I can get your ass for free. I wouldn't shell out half a mill for the pleasure."

"Half a mill?"

"The car." East gestured to the luxurious inside of the vehicle. "That's what one of these costs."

Fucking hell, was he serious? Half a million dollars? For a car ? I guess I shouldn't be all that surprised, considering East, but I didn't run with that crowd. There was no way someone was sending a car like this for me.

"Are you going to sit down or stand the entire way?"

I took a seat in the empty recliner and eyed him across the teched-out console that had every bell and whistle known to man. Including a digital screen and a spot for our drinks.

Across from us were two more recliners and a makeshift bar with a bottle of champagne on ice and a crystal decanter filled with what I assumed was top-shelf whiskey.

"All right, out with it," I said, still not convinced this wasn't all East's doing. "Where are we going?"

"I told you, I'm as clueless as you are."

"So you, James Easton, the son of one of the wealthiest men in Manhattan, willingly climbed into a vehicle not having a clue where it was taking you?"

East seemed to ponder that for a moment, and just as he was about to answer, the Phantom purred to life and pulled away from the curb.

"What can I say? It seemed like a good adventure."

"A good adventure?" I shook my head at his blasé tone. "What if someone is trying to kidnap you? Or do something nefarious?"

East let out a loud scoff. "Then looks like you're coming along for the ride. Remember, we did choose to be here. That was what was written on the invitation."

"Something they might've known you couldn't resist."

"Oh for the love of— Are you going to be a Debbie Downer all night? Because if so, I'm going to ask our driver to stop and kick you out. I chose to be here because I was looking for something exciting to do with my evening—other than you, of course."

I rolled my eyes and sat back. "Of course. All I'm saying is, how do you know wherever we're being taken is safe?"

"How do you ? How about you turn off that big brain of yours and enjoy whatever is about to happen. Clearly you showed up because you were curious, so don't get all rational on me now."

He had a point, but I wasn't the one who would garner a lot of attention if I went missing. Then again, most people didn't go missing in the back of a half-million-dollar limousine with a chauffeur.

Shit, maybe East was right and I should just shut off my brain and enjoy whatever this was.

"Mr. Easton. Mr. Fletcher." The no-nonsense voice that filtered through the speakers caught our attention. "Beside each of your seats you will find a tablet and a pen. On the screen there is a folder with today's date on it. Inside, you will find a secured file with your name on it. Tap on your document, enter the last four digits of your social security number, and you'll gain access to the NDA that you must sign before we continue."

"Excuse me?" East said. "Did you just say enter my social security number? How the fuck do you know that?"

"Enter the last four digits to access the NDA," the driver replied. "If you do not, your evening will end here."

Your choice. He didn't say it, but it was heavily implied.

East glanced over at me, and I finally caught a flicker of concern in his eyes.

What the hell was going on? Who were we dealing with?

I was about to tell East we should just leave, but then his eyes flicked back to his tablet and he clicked open the folder. Seconds later he put the tablet down and said, "Well, you going to bail, or…"

I took in a deep breath and opened my file, and as I started to read it, East groaned and flopped back in his seat.

"It's an NDA—it's basically saying you won't say shit about whatever goes on tonight. Have you never read one?"

"I've never read this one."

"Oh my God."

I ignored his grumblings and continued to read through the three pages, and when I got to the bottom and signed, East slow-clapped.

"About time. I'd like to enjoy whatever this is while I'm still young enough."

"Quit complaining, I just wanted to?—"

The intercom came to life again. "Now that you've signed the necessary forms, you'll find the final item needed for tonight located in the console between you. Once you have complied, we will continue."

I glanced down at the console, then back to East. "I'm almost scared to look."

He, of course, was not. East opened up the console, and inside were two black blindfolds. A wicked chuckle escaped him as he picked one up and dangled it in front of me. "Hmm, this bodes well."

"Bodes well? I'm still not convinced we aren't being kidnapped."

"Zac, that isn't the only time people use a blindfold."

"Yes, but it is one."

"So is sex. That's a fifty-fifty chance that we won't be kidnapped and will instead end the night with an orgasm. Me? I like those odds."

"Of course you do."

"So how about it? Are you going to let me tie this on for you?"

I eyed the black strip of silk, my heart thudding a little faster. Was I really about to do this?

"How do I know you won't bail the second it's on? That you aren't really behind all of this?"

"Because I wouldn't lie to you." East leaned in a little closer and licked his lips. "Now, do you trust me?"

Something about the direct way he held my gaze made me think I could—and surprisingly, I did.

"Yes. I trust you."

"Good, then turn your head."

I turned away from him, staring out at the city lights flashing by in a blur, and as they disappeared behind the black silky fabric, I swallowed. My stomach flipped as East knotted the blindfold at the back of my head.

"Ready or not, it's time to go down the rabbit hole, Alice."