Chapter 15: Four Days Later

I'm seriously doing this.

I told myself I wouldn't go back to the club, but here I am, staring at myself in the mirror in Karen's dorm room, pretending I'm studying again.

Her roommate is usually sleeping over at her boyfriend's apartment, so she's barely even here, which is nice for Karen.

I'm nervous Devlin will find out I've been lying. He isn't stupid. Then what? How will I explain myself?

Then again, I don't owe him an explanation. I'm a grown adult. If I want to go to a sex club and watch a bunch of people fuck each other's brains out, then I will.

My mind soon travels to the auction. I've thought about it. Would be the best option to lose my virginity and get money for it. If Mason still decides to marry me, I'll have cash to run away with.

"That dress looks so hot on you." Karen curls her hair in the bathroom while giving me a once-over from the doorway.

I do love this gown she picked out. A royal-blue halter dress with a collared neck and a full open back. The slit, though… It hits way too high on my thigh, like the green one did. But Karen insisted, and she's usually not one you want to argue with.

Her dress is equally beautiful, an ivory beaded gown with an even higher slit and a plunging V-neck and V-back.

"Are you sure it isn't too much? This dress costs over a grand." I'm fully aware of the brand and how much it is.

"My mom gets them free! Don't worry. We have to look the part to fit in. We may be the youngest people there!" Her full red lips spread into a grin.

"I envy your excitement. I wish I was less nervous."

She drops her curling iron and unplugs it before walking over to me. I can easily see her from where I stand.

"You've been too sheltered in that family of yours," she says. "It's why the universe sent you to me."

I roll my eyes and push her away playfully. "We ready to go or what?"

"Yep!"

She gathers her mask and her handbag, while I get my stuff from my bed.

"Okay, let's go get you laid."

"I'm not?—"

But she fully ignores me, dragging me out of the room.

With the same masks as we used last time, we're ushered up to the penthouse, with Adam beside us.

My heart pumps faster as the elevator dings, and before I know it, the familiar sound of music floats through the open doors.

Karen grabs my hand, probably to make sure I don't run away as we're let into the main room. People are dancing like before, bodies pressed together seductively as the LED lights skirt around them.

We make it further, past the familiar rooms, sounds of pleasure coming in waves. Karen stops at one, forcing me to do the same.

"This is so hot!" she whispers into my ear.

I press my thighs together, unable to stop staring at a woman who's being taken on all fours. She's got a gag in her mouth and an expandable metal bar with cuffs attached holding both ankles, spreading her legs apart.

Adam throws an arm around Karen and whispers something in her ear, causing her to laugh. I don't bother asking what he said. I'm sure it wasn't meant for my ears. Not wanting to be the third wheel in this relationship, I start for the room next to this one.

Glancing over at Karen, I see her still watching that couple, while I find myself before a room with two people.

The man's in a black skull mask with ram horns and the woman is in a full-faced red mask, lying on her stomach on a table of some kind. Her legs dangle in the air, held apart by a spreader and cuffs, which are attached to the ceiling. Her arms are facing down, bound to the legs of the table.

But the wildest thing about this is the machine that's currently inserting a large fake penis into her pussy.

She screams in pleasure while the man runs a whip down her spine.

This is insane. How is she enjoying being tied up and screwed by a machine? I turn around, intending to return to Karen and Adam, but of course, they're gone.

Lovely.

Here we go again.

When I rush to look for them, I bump into an insanely tall man made of steel. But once I see that ornate gold mask, I know immediately—it's him.

The owner of the club.

The Russian mobster who will probably kill me.

"Well, it looks like you've returned, Eriu Quinn."

I don't dare deny that it's me. He already made it clear he knows everyone who steps foot inside here.

I can just see the smirk beneath his mask. I wonder what he looks like.

"Yes, uh…but I should go. This was a mistake."

He slants his head. "Why is that? Is my club not up to your liking?"

"No, it's great!" I giggle nervously. "It's just not for me. And if my father or Devlin find out, then I'm basically dead."

"What would you do if Devlin were here?"

"What?" My pulse jumps out of my throat.

"Is…is he here? Have you seen him?" My eyes widen and my heart races.

He can't be here.

"I simply asked you a question. What would you do? Would you seduce him? Make him think you're someone else?"

"Um, no. Why would I seduce him?"

"You've known him a long time. You must have some feelings for him, especially when engaged to the likes of Mason Reynolds."

Oh my God. Does this man know everything about my life?

"How…"

"Don't worry yourself, daragaya. I promise I will not tell Devlin how much you enjoy my club. You know…" he says, leaning into my ear, his voice low, yet dark. "We're always looking for new virgins. And we pay well. You could take that money and run."

He chuckles, and the sound sends shivers down my spine.

How does he know I'm a virgin? Is it written on my forehead?

I jerk back a step, my heart beating so fast I almost faint. "I could never. My father would find me. I'm not like my family. I don't know how to hide."

"Hmm." He nods. "You're certainly a lot different than your sister."

"You know my sister?"

"Oh, yes. I'm particularly fond of her. She's got quite a temper. I admire that in a woman." His scoff is ominous and full of danger. "Now, that Mason Reynolds? He's more like a bug. Wouldn't you say?"

I can't disagree…

He reaches into his pocket and takes out his cell. "I've sent you an email. It's a discreet link to the application."

"Application for what?" My voice trembles.

"The auction. I hear Mason wants a virgin bride. Seems to me you have yourself a dilemma. And I'm in the business of solving them."

"I—"

I don't know what to say. Can I really do this?

"What if someone finds out?" I ask. "What if the person who wins hurts me?"

"We have a strict policy on that. As part of your application, you write down your likes and dislikes. If someone does anything you don't approve of, I will personally oversee their permanent removal."

"By removal, do you mean…"

He chuckles, and there's something callous hiding in plain sight.

My God. I've stepped into the lion's den.

"I do hope you join one of the scenes here at the very least. I promise it'll change you. Now, I must go. But you have yourself a wonderful evening, Ms. Quinn." He picks up my hand and kisses the top of it. "Always a pleasure."

Then he stalks away like the devil in a suit he is.

DEVLIN

I can't believe I let her return to the club. And yes, she's only here because I allowed it. That's because I'm a bastard who wants more of what happened the last time.

She thinks she's clever, running off in Karen's car once again, but I'll let her have her fun, thinking she got the better of me.

As soon as she walks into the club with her friends, I'm at the door with the mask on my face. Same one Konstantin gave me last time.

The doorman scans it, then his attention bounces between me and the tablet screen in front of him.

"Wait here." He removes a walkie-talkie and says some shite in Russian.

Great. Gonna have myself some trouble, aren't I?

He slips the device back in his pocket, then scans the others gathering behind me.

From the back of the building, a man walks out. He doesn't wear a mask, like he's unafraid to be seen. His mouth twitches as he marches up to me, tats running from his neck up to the side of his head.

"You're not welcome here," he informs me. "Go. Before I change my mind."

"Not sure who you think you're talking to, but I'm not going anywhere. I'm a member now."

He whips out a nine-mil and points it at my head, and some of the women gasp and run inside.

"Not a great way to do business. What would your boss think?" A smirk eases onto my mouth as I enjoy the irritation growing on his smug face.

He's a little younger than Konstantin, and I see some resemblance: dark eyes, dark buzzed hair. This must be another Marinov.

I reach my hand into my waistband.

"If you try to get that gun, my men on the roof will have your brain splattered on the floor before you can even remove it."

"Maybe, if I'm lucky, I'll have blown your balls off before you get your shot."

"Eta suka okhu`el." He laughs with the doorman.

"Not polite to speak in another language while you've got company."

"I called you a little bitch." He grins, pressing his thumb on the trigger.

I wanna kill this smug son of a?—

"Ah, look who's back." Konstantin marches out the front doors while the guests all rush out of his way. He isn't wearing his mask either. "Now, what is this ruckus, Kirill? Is that any way to treat our fine guest?"

Kirill Marinov. Of course. Another brother, as I thought. At this point, I'll meet the entire family. My God, they're like roaches, appearin' from all over.

"Mogu ya yego ubit"?" Kirill continues to point the gun at me while my palm grabs a hold of the butt of my own weapon.

"Now, now, I don't want to have to ruin this fine evening with bloodshed, so how about we let our friend Devlin in now that he's a member?"

"You made this asshole a member for half the cost. He owes us. And he will pay every fucking dime." Kirill's brown eyes narrow while my hand curls tightly around my weapon.

I don't care who he is. If he wants to fight, we will fight.

"It seems you have had a rough start at meeting my family. I promise Anton is the nicer one. More or less." A miniscule smile twists one side of Konstantin's mouth, and with a finger, he motions for his brother to lower his weapon.

With a grunt and a snarl, he does.

"Good dog." I chuckle.

"You son of—" Kirill rushes for me, throwing a punch to my face while I return the favor, getting him in the nose.

"Enough!" Konstantin hollers, and his brother stops, swiping the blood trickling from his mouth.

All I want to do is get inside and keep my eyes on Eriu; meanwhile, I'm stuck here with this idiot.

"Now, Devlin, you will have my money by tomorrow, yes?" A muscle in Konstantin's jaw twitches. "I don't like it when I'm owed. You know that well."

He throws an arm around my shoulders like we're best friends. I swear, this family is full of psychopaths.

"Aye. I'll have the rest of it tomorrow."

"See?" He glances back at his angry brother. "All good. Now, we shall go inside and find your woman." His words are meant for me this time.

"She's not my woman, and you bloody well know it."

His laughter grows as we make it inside and into an elevator.

"The night is young, my friend. You never know where it will lead. Now, come on. The first drink's on me."

The music grows as we enter the room, people all over each other. I hate it here. I only stomach it for her.

The more I follow him, the more my mind takes me places where I long to sin…with her. Where I take her up against the wall, with my palm wrapped around her pretty throat. Rip that dress right off and see how much of me she can fit before she cries.

Konstantin shoves a shot of God-knows-what into my chest.

"Na zdorovie." He tips up his own drink and drowns it in a single gulp.

I do the same, the liquid burning nicely down my throat. "Now tell me where she is."

"First, I'd like to show you something."

He removes his cellphone and clicks a few buttons, playing a video. At first, I don't understand why I'm looking at two people fecking, but then I realize…

"Mason?" I cock a brow. "Here?"

"Not here, no. But he likes to frequent my L.A. club. That one is unmasked. He comes with a woman." He smirks.

"Why are you showing me this?"

"Because you should know what the girl is getting herself into."

"I'm aware that he's a feckin' prick. I'm trying to do something about it. Not sure how much this will help, but I can use the video to attempt to convince her father."

He nods, and within seconds, my phone vibrates. I check it to find an email with a link to a drive to download the video.

"I don't even know how the hell you got my email, but thanks. Not sure why you're helping me."

"Not you. Her." He slips his cell back into his pocket. "Consider it an olive branch for what my father did to her and her family."

"You lost a brother too."

His jaw clamps. "I did. And it's not something I've forgotten. But I would've done the same as Patrick did. Probably worse." He smirks, then his eyes turn hard. "Marry her."

"What?" I let out a wry snicker. "You playin' matchmaker now, Konstantin?"

"You just don't see what's right before your eyes." His palm lands on my shoulder. "You, my friend, have yourself a good evening."

He starts walking away.

"Wait, where is she?"

His mouth tips up. "If you want her, going to have to find her yourself this time."

Then he disappears.

"Feckin' Russians."