Chapter 9: Two Days Later

"You can't marry that sleazebag."Karen recoils as I tell her what transpired when I met my horrible future husband.

I can't believe my family just stood there, letting this sham of an engagement happen. Doesn't anyone care about what I want?

"I know I can't. But what choice do I have?"

"Kill him?" She laughs before turning to face her laptop, clicking a few buttons and checking out photos of Mason on various tabloids.

He's not only rich, but famous, apparently, and he isn't shy about it. Picture after picture is of a different woman on his arm.

With a silent huff, I stare back at myself in the full-length mirror in Karen's dorm room. The tight emerald-green dress hits right below my ankles, with a slit going up way past my knee. It's sexier than any evening dress I've ever worn.

But the dress code for this sex party we're going to said black tie or lingerie for women, and I sure as hell won't be wearing lingerie.

I have no idea what I'm getting myself into. It's probably worse than I'm imagining. People screwing around everywhere…

I didn't need to buy anything for the occasion, thankfully. Karen always has more than enough dresses. Her mom is a buyer for a high-end clothing store and gets her beautiful things that she, of course, shares with me.

I'm beyond nervous to get caught by Devlin, though. We did set this up well, so I hope he doesn't suspect anything.

He's parked in front of Karen's building, not knowing I plan to head to the party. He thinks we'll be studying all night and that I'm sleeping over here.

Little does he know we'll be making an exit through the basement and out the other side of the building, then slip into her car. He won't be looking for it. It's one of many in the large parking lot.

It'd be a lot more fun if he was going. If he was in a mask. If we forgot who we were for a single night and let things happen…

A girl can dream.

Meanwhile, I'm stuck with the likes of Mason, a man whore by all accounts. I'll be married to a guy who cheats on me.

Was that always my fate? To live in a loveless marriage?

Mason already texted me twice today, asking about what I'm doing and who I'm hanging out with, warning me against being around college guys so he doesn't get a bad reputation for being engaged to a slut. I angrily deleted the texts and told him not to worry. I wasn't going to give him details of my life.

I've only known him for a couple of days, and he already has me seething.

I pick up the mask Adam sent over, the one I'm supposed to wear tonight. Mine is gold and hits the bridge of my nose, with an intricate loopy black design that glistens with tiny clear stones.

Karen's is red with the same black design. Both are beautifully crafted and clearly expensive. We're not allowed to put them on until right before we reach the penthouse where the event is being held. I don't know who the place belongs to, but I'll be finding out shortly.

Nerves skitter in my stomach. I can't believe I'm doing this. I don't know exactly what to expect, but part of me is…dare I say, excited?

I run my hands down my hips, the material silky soft. And I imagine Devlin's palms running down my dress, his body pressed to mine from behind, fingers discovering places laid dormant.

My nipples grow taut, scraping against the material. I probably should've worn a bra, but with this dress, it's impossible. The back is completely open, exposing my entire spine.

If Devlin saw me in this, I don't know what he'd do.

"If this idiot cares about your virginity so much…" Karen interrupts my thoughts. "…maybe you should tell Devlin to fuck you so Mason doesn't marry you." She grins, completely serious.

"Yeah 'cause he'd be so willing to deflower me." I roll my eyes.

"Well…" She quirks a brow. "Maybe you can find someone else to deflower you. Then you can tell Mason, ‘Hey, jerkoff, I fucked a random dude just so I didn't have to marry your loser ass. How does that make you feel?'"

"Ew. No." My face twists. "I'm not sleeping with some random dude just to avoid marriage."

Or maybe I should, because what other option is there?

"Fine." She shrugs a single shoulder. "Marry Mason. Have his babies and let him treat you like shit."

I narrow a glare. She makes it sound like this is so easy to avoid.

Iseult could kill him… All I have to do is ask, and she'll do it, no problem. And if I tell her what he's said to me, she'd kill him without my having to ask.

Ugh, what am I thinking? I can't be responsible for someone's death.

I settle back on the bed and shake my head. "This is hopeless. I guess you'll be my bridesmaid in two months."

"Of course. I'd be honored. As long as you don't put me in some ugly-ass dress." She makes a gagging expression and laughs.

When I drop my face into my palms, I hear her moving closer.

"Look…" She places a hand on my shoulder. "We'll figure this out, okay? Let's just have fun tonight. Don't think about anything else."

I nod and peer back up.

"I want you to pretend you're someone else when you're there. Do things Eriu wouldn't do. Pretend you're me." A big grin spreads across her face.

"You just want me to screw someone." I squint knowingly.

"Would that be so bad? Then we could swap stories. The first time sucks anyway. Might as well get it over with and save the good time for Devlin." Her lips thin with a smirk.

"I thought we already established that Devlin doesn't want me."

"Not yet." She rubs her palms together like she's a master planner of fate. "We just haven't motivated him hard enough."

I shake my head at her resilience. "If me marrying someone doesn't wake him up, nothing will."

Karen and I arrive at a four-story contemporary glass building with masked people in expensive cars driving us, so many of them I lose count.

The valet drivers all have masks on too, taking keys and parking the vehicles in the multi-story adjacent garage. We park here, though, up the gravelly road, the building yards away before us.

Hordes of bodies strut toward the front double doors where a tall, scary-looking security guard with a red devil's mask greets them.

There's something dangerous about not seeing faces. Yet the anonymity is exciting in its own way. I can appreciate the appeal of doing things with strangers that you'll never see again.

Of course, I wouldn't do anything here. It's not why I came. It was curiosity more than anything.

Once we get out of the car, the masks already on, a man in a tux and a simple black masquerade disguise heads our way.

"That's Adam," she whispers to me, practically bouncing.

She really likes him. I've never seen her this way before.

"Ladies." He nods, giving us each a quick kiss on the cheek. "You both look incredible. I hope you're ready to have fun."

"Ugh…" is all I can manage.

"Don't mind her." Karen waves me off. "She's just nervous. You'll be fine!" she says to me.

"You don't have to do anything you're not into," he offers as we start for the entrance. "You can just watch. There's a lot to see here."

"When is the next party?" Karen asks, her tone full of excitement.

He chuckles. "I think the next one is the following week. They usually pop up every weekend."

"That's so cool!" Karen grabs my hand and gives it a little squeeze.

I don't think any of this is cool. Insane and wild come to mind, and I haven't even been inside.

When we arrive at the entrance, the guard scans our masks, which apparently have devices in them that contain our membership numbers. This is terrifying. What if someone connects me to the number somehow? My father would have my head.

"Phone." The man in the red devil's mask outstretches his palm, a plastic bag in his other hand.

"We have to give them our phones?!" I whisper to Karen.

Adam answers instead. "Yes. It's required so no one takes pictures or videos. They can't let anything get leaked. The bags are attached to our membership numbers, and they are placed in a secure area."

"My God… Who runs this place?" My eyes wander to the large crystal chandelier beyond the closed entry doors centered in the lobby, the marble beneath sparkling white.

"A very rich and powerful family," he murmurs into my ear. "You don't want to know them. Trust me."

A shiver runs up my back. Whatever waits for us inside is going to have me running back toward the exit. I guarantee it.

Once we're done checking in, we're ushered inside by a woman in a red strappy gown, who takes us into an elevator.

She enters after us, and with the press of a button, we rise in seconds to the top floor.

My stomach dips with adrenaline and I start to regret this. I'm Eriu Quinn. A good girl. I don't go to sex clubs!

Ding.

As soon as we arrive, Karen's pulling me out, rushing toward the sultry music beating from all around. It's not as loud as you'd find in a dance club, yet still enough to mask the noises I'm sure we'll hear the further we go.

Two masked men in tuxes nod at us as they each open a door and welcome us inside.

I expect to see sex immediately, but instead, there are people dancing, dressed to the nines. Blingy jewelry, sweeping gowns. Men in tuxedos. The room lit up by dark purple and blue LED lights.

If it wasn't for the knowledge of where I am, I'd think I was at a fancy wedding or something like that, but no, this is just an illusion.

Once we continue onward, the doors shut behind us, and my heart skips a beat.

We move past into a large area, where more people dance and kiss one another. Adam leads us down a corridor, and as I glance into the rooms we pass, I know exactly where we are.

People are doing things to each other.

I gulp. When I get the sense to run, Karen grips my hand even tighter.

"Don't be a baby about it." She shoves me playfully with her shoulder. "Have you never watched porn before?"

"No…"

Adam laughs. "Leave her alone."

We continue into another large room, but this time, most of the people are not fully dressed.

A woman in a black corset dress and black mask leads a naked woman by a leather leash, a gold collar chained to her neck and a white feathery face covering on her.

In a separate corner, three men are all over a single woman. Her body is bare, lying across one man who's inside her, while another pleasures her between her thighs. The third strokes himself before he shoves his dick into her mouth. This is insane. How are they doing this in front of people, and why am I getting aroused as I watch them?

"Isn't that hot?" Karen whispers. "Wouldn't it be amazing to have three men at once?"

"Uh…no…"

I've never even had one.

I immediately think about Devlin and me. Him naked, touching me, not knowing who I am. Maybe that's better…if he doesn't know it's me. Maybe that's the only way he'd ever have me.

But that's ridiculous. Of course he'd know who I am. He'd hear my voice and realize it immediately.

I keep walking like I'm hypnotized, strutting down past another corridor, finding another room with many beds, all filled by people who are partaking with one another. Multiple people stand on the side and watch.

This isn't me… I shouldn't be here.

But maybe that's the problem. This sort of thinking is why I'm still a virgin at almost nineteen.

Further I go, spotting more private rooms, all with different things happening. In one, a man is nude, his erection hard as a woman is chained from the ceiling. Her wrists cuffed, ankles too, while he uses some kind of flogging thing. I think that's what it's called. Her mask is beautiful, black with gold peacock feather designs drawn into it. But it's the sounds she makes that have me rooted.

In his hand is a device of some kind, one that hums. It's got a circular end, and when he places it around her core, she cries out and her body convulses as she moans, over and over until she screams. But he doesn't stop. He continues until she does it again. He tortures her with orgasms, and I'm immediately jealous.

Is that how good it feels? I want to have just one, to know what it would be like.

She has another one, and my throat goes dry, my body warm all over. I shouldn't be watching this.

"Karen, I should?—"

But when I turn my head, I realize neither she nor Adam are here anymore. I hadn't even noticed that she was no longer beside me. I didn't even look to see if she was following me. Where is she? I can't even call her because they took our damn phones!

I force myself to calm down even as my pulse pumps in my throat. I'll find them. They have to be around here somewhere.

I continue to walk further, past another room where a woman lies on a wooden contraption. Her wrists are tied above her head with thick rope, a black-and-red polka-dot mask on her.

Her nipples are concealed by crystal teardrops that have a large diamond in the middle, like an eye, and the collar she wears is all black. The man standing next to her is wearing a black devil mask.

I remain still, watching him use a leather whip on her, tracing her breasts, her thighs, before he snaps it across her hip. She yelps, her legs twisting while he now traces his fingers down her arms.

I grow insanely uncomfortable—not from watching, which I hate to admit I'm liking. It's the tightness in my body, the throbbing at my center that has my throat dry. The need to touch myself overtakes me, but I've never done that before. And I definitely can't do it here.

"You're new," a deep Russian accent husks behind me.

I gasp, spinning around to find an exceptionally tall man in a suit, an ornate gold mask on his entire face. Two buttons are neatly undone on the gray dress shirt beneath his black suit jacket. I have to look up just to meet his face. Maybe he plays for a basketball team.

"Uh, yes. Sorry, I—I should go."

He laughs huskily. "No, stay. Please. Everything is private here. Every thought. Every act. Feel free to do what you want, and with whoever you want. No one has to know, daragaya."

Daragaya… I've heard that word before.

"You're Russian."

Well, that was stupid since his accent basically gave him away.

"I am. Do you know the language?"

"Not at all." I shuffle, every nerve ending in my body warning me away.

"Mm-hmm," he replies thoughtfully.

Though I can't truly see his eyes, I know he's staring at me, dissecting me. My body shivers, and I get the sensation that a man like him enjoys my skittishness.

"Does your father know you're here?"

I gasp, and something both hot and cold swallows me. Panic like I've never known takes hold.

He can't know who I am! How would he? He's just trying to scare me.

"My—my father?"

"Yes." He chuckles. "You're Eriu Quinn, are you not?"

My knees grow weak, and behind my mask, my eyes practically explode.

His tone though, is full of amusement. "See, I know everyone who joins my club. I personally oversee the applications and mask assignments."

His club! Oh my God! My heart beats faster.

And that's when Adam's words come to haunt me. Rich and powerful… Of course he knows my family. My father knows many people, and this man, whoever he is, may not even like us.

He could hurt me for revenge. Or he could tell the world that I was here! He could even lie and say I did things! Oh my God, I'm so screwed.

Please, universe, forgive me for being reckless. I promise to be a good girl from now on and never come here again.

"I—I need to go. I'm not…uh…" My words stay trapped as he grabs my wrist, thick fingers curling just hard enough to make me know who is in charge.

"I'm not here to hurt you. Your secret stays between us. I promise."

"Why don't I believe you? Who are you, exactly?"

He chuckles but it's got danger written all over it. "Adam's father and I go way back, and when Adam told me he was planning on inviting two young girls, I decided to allow it. But when I found out you were one of them…well, that was a welcome surprise. I know your family well, but I won't break your trust to your father. A woman should own her sexuality, and this place may be just what you need."

My head grows dizzy. I don't believe him at all. This man could ruin everything. But it's too late now. He already knows exactly who I am. Denying it seems pointless.

"Please, promise me you won't tell anyone!" I clasp my hands together to steady my nerves. "If my father doesn't kill me, my fiancé will."

"Fiancé? Well, congratulations are in order." He nods once. "But I can see how that may be a problem."

His laughter sends hot coals to the pit of my stomach.

"It's not that kind of marriage. I just met him a few days ago, and he's…never mind." Imagine he knows Mason and tells him what I said.

"Ah…" He nods knowingly. "You don't like him."

"Not even a little."

Why did I just say that?! When will I learn to keep some things to myself?

"My sincerest apologies. But I assure you, sometimes these things work themselves out."

"Not this time." Tears burn my eyes, and I'm thankful this stranger can't see them.

"Well, I won't tell him either. You have my word, and my word means a lot. Now, I must go. Business calls. If you need anything, just ask any of the people wearing the red collars. They work for me."

I glance around and find a good few of them. "Thank you."

But when I look back, he's gone. Just like a phantom, disappearing as quickly as he came. Whoever this man is, I don't want to know him. He scares the crap out of me.

I start in the opposite direction, needing to find Karen so we can go home. As I pass more rooms on each side of me, sounds of pleasure spill into the hallway. How big is this damn place? Before I can head back the other way, something catches my attention.

The room is set up like a theater. A stage is at one end, and a man with a full-faced black mask stares out at a seated crowd. There are definitely over a hundred people here.

What the hell is this?

Discreetly, I slip into an empty seat at the end of one row, curiosity keeping me here as the emcee continues to address the crowd.

"Welcome to the auction." He throws both arms in the air, but no one claps or cheers.

They stay silent, their eyes on him.

Leaning into the woman beside me, I get her attention until she faces me through a black lace mask, bright red lips slightly lifting up.

"What sort of auction is this?" I whisper.

"A virginity auction, dear." She says it so plainly, like this is completely normal.

"A wha?—"

But I don't get to finish the words as the emcee continues. "The first young woman is nineteen, beautiful, educated, and willing."

A woman with a black gown and red collar brings out the girl out by the hand.

The young woman wears a see-through white gown, her entire body on display, a mask on her like the others. Hers is white, made of lace and feathers.

"You've never been here before, I gather," the woman beside me says.

"No." I shake my head.

"That's okay." She scoots closer, a finger running up my arm. "You have a gorgeous figure."

"Thank you?"

"Don't sound so offended. I appreciate beauty in all forms. Have you ever been with a woman before?"

I shake my head again, my throat going parched.

She laughs seductively. "Have you ever been with a man?"

"No." My entire face ignites with heat.

"Oh." Her interest is piqued even more. "Well, you have a lot in common with the girls on stage, then."

"And…and what happens to them?"

"Well…" She peers at the young woman as people begin to bid on her, lifting up one of those auction number signs. "The lucky winner gets to fuck her and take her virginity tonight, and we get to watch if we want to."

"What?!" I holler, and all eyes go to me.

The woman beside me laughs. "Don't mind her. Do go on."

The emcee continues as she focuses on me again.

"The women sign up willingly. They get a lot of money for this. But yes, they will all lose their virginity tonight. That's how it works. They're taken to rooms, and the winner or winners get to play with them as long as they want."

I press my thighs together at the thought.

Her lips curve a fraction as she observes my movement. "Have you ever thought about that?"

"Thought about w-what?"

"Losing your virginity in a room full of strangers."

I clear my throat. "No. I definitely haven't."

"Well, that is something to ponder, now, isn't it? You might enjoy it."

She turns her body forward and continues to watch as the emcee places his hands on the woman and slowly slips off her gown, until she's in nothing but a white thong, her nipples covered with white round sparkly coverings.

As the bidding reaches five hundred thousand dollars, a winner is announced, and an older couple comes and claims their prize.

This is insane. I could never do this.

I mean, if I did, Devlin would find out and kill me.

But…what if this is the only way I can avoid marrying Mason? Can I handle one night of misery instead of a lifetime of it?

I doubt Mason would come after the Russian man I met. He'd be an idiot. Something tells me he's a lot more powerful than Mason's entire family.

And if Mason drags my name through dirt, let him. I can handle it. My father will be mad, but he'll forgive me. Eventually.

Maybe this way, I can ensure no one from our circle marries me. Most of them want an untouched little virgin. It'd be a win-win.

I'm totally fine being a cat lady forever. They're nicer than most people out there anyway. But the thought of doing something like this… Being naked on stage. Having someone touch me, someone who isn't Devlin.

No. I—I can't.

Clearly this place is making me someone I am not.

If you don't stop your marriage to Mason, you'll be miserable and wish you had done it.

I can't think straight. I don't know what to do right now, but I have less than two months to decide.