21. Ara
We’re escorted past the long line and welcomed right into Telltale, an exclusive nightclub for the wealthy and famous where they can disregard their profiles and inhibitions. What happens at Telltale stays at Telltale. Well, at least that’s what Sienna told us when she organized our VIP passes.
“I’ve been here once before, and it was crazy fun!” she exclaims as we walk in. Sienna is noticeable, even from a mile away. Tall and beautiful in a teal dress that leaves little to the imagination. It’s no doubt to impress her new boyfriend—B-list celebrity, Michael Balfore. In other words, by twelve tonight our Cinderella of the night will be finding herself busy elsewhere. “Michael actually purchased the booth for us tonight. I told him he didn’t have to, but how cute!”
“You get too excited about these things.” Romi rolls her eyes, but I can tell she’s just as excited. Especially considering she instigated the entire night. She’s wearing a silk black dress that comes to her knees, and she’s paired it with thick soled boots. I appreciate her style considering it’s so different than her usual hippie attire. Her dark red bob is curled, and she’s wearing green eyeshadow.
“Well, at least she has some action going for her. We have to scout tonight, Romi,” Lily says mischievously. Her hair is in a high ponytail, and she’s wearing long pink pants with a matching bralette. Her father would have a heart attack if he saw her, but girl is out on a mission tonight.
“What about me?” I add as we’re waiting for the hostess to lead us to our booth. A glass screen comes between us and the festive celebrations happening inside. I can see my reflection—a red leather dress that zips down the front and my dark as night hair in a high ponytail.
It took me a while to decide whether I should actually come out or not. I haven’t gone clubbing in a while and never with friends. With recent events I realized I may very well not make it to my next birthday, so I might as well enjoy it.
“Yes, poor you,” Sienna says as she drops her bottom lip and then laughs. “You have one of the hottest bachelors sending black roses to your office and clearly showing his interest.”
“How did you guys even find out about that?” I ask, surprised.
They all give me a ‘who wouldn’t know this’ type of look. I’m an outright stalker. But gossip spreading amongst the social circles within this city is not to be trifled with.
“Besides, I have no interest in Luca Armani. He’s not all that everyone thinks he is,” I say, pulling out my red lipstick and reapplying it.
“The guy is fucking hot. What isn’t there to like?” Romi jokes. “He could have the worst fucking personality in the world, and I’d still bone him.”
“Romi.” Lily slaps her arm playfully. “So does that mean you’re on the prowl tonight as well?”
The hostess reaches us wearing a long, sheer gold dress. “I’ll lead you to your booth now.”
“Considering who our fathers are, I don’t think any of us should be on the prowl,” I remind them. I’m not the only one living under regulation and expectation. No one will be good enough for any of us, not according to our fathers. I know my father’s concern isn’t out of care for me, but instead for his public image.
Sienna looks over her shoulder with a mischievous smile. “That’s why what happens in Telltale stays in Telltale.”
The moment we’re escorted around the marble foyer by the hostess, the glass doors are opened by security and music bombards us. The entire club is set in dim pink lighting. A DJ is playing in the back of the room with a large screen behind him with live footage on the dancefloor. Some people I recognize, others I don’t.
“This is your booth here,” the hostess offers with a polite smile. A topless waiter is standing there already waiting with a tray of various shots. “This is Adrian. He’ll be here for your every need and at your disposal tonight. Don’t hesitate to ask him for whatever you wish. Most importantly, enjoy your night and remember… Whatever happens at Telltale stays at Telltale.”
Is that actually a sign-off slogan here?
“Good evening, ladies, I wasn’t sure what your preference of shots were so I brought a variety, and I can take your drink orders here as well.”
“Oooh, goodie.” Sienna perks up as she takes a bright green shot glass.
“That’s what I’m talking about,” Romi says as she grabs two.
Lily seems unsure as to which one to choose and opts for a milky one. I can’t even remember the last time I took a shot myself. I opt for the one’s rimmed with salt. Surely, tequila.
Sienna looks over the booth and at the table next to us. “We’ll have the same as those. So, four fishbowls please.”
Adrian seems pleased as he places the tray of shots in front of us and walks away to place the order.
“Damn Sienna, going all out tonight?” Romi asks. “I approve. I haven’t had a night out like this in ages.” She throws back a shot.
“Wait!” Sienna grabs her arm that’s suspending the next shot. “You can’t drink until we cheers.” She promptly holds hers up in the air. “Well ladies, here’s to a memorable night. Or hopefully not so memorable. We look hot, and it’s about time we shake these hot little asses while we still have them!”
“Cheers to that!” Romi applauds as we clank our shot glasses together.
We throw them back and I try to refrain from scrunching my nose. Definitely tequila. Lily looks like she wants to vomit, as she mulls over her choice, but eventually swallows. Romi’s already eye fucking the guy in the booth across from us and I can’t help but reach for another shot. The other girls follow. A night to remember. Or not. I can get behind that.
“Throw it back!”Romi screams at one of Michael Balfore’s friends. He found us about two hours ago, and now Sienna sits on his lap. We’re halfway through our second fish bowl for the night and copious amounts of shots. Romi has since challenged one of his friends to a drinking match.
Lily leans into me with a slight hiccup. “I never knew she was this aggressive when drinking. So much for the meditative hippie life, huh?”
I throw my head back and laugh, swaying back and forth to the music. Tension ripples from me and for the first time I understand what it means to “let loose” even if only slightly. Lily grabs my hand. “Let’s dance!”
My eyes burst open when I hadn’t even realized I was letting the music take over. When was the last time I danced? Maybe once or twice in college?
“Sure!” I shout over the music. She pulls me onto the dance floor, and it isn’t long until Sienna and Romi join us. Both are dancing with their men. Although Romi’s looks like he can hardly focus on her. Most likely because he’s probably on something else.
My hands roam up my body as I give into the beat, letting my hips sway and for the first time in what seems like forever… I fell a sense of being free.
Until I sense I’m being watched. My eyes burst open at the same time Lily taps me on the shoulder. I don’t even need to look at the spot she’s pointing to because my gaze has already found his.
You have to be kidding me.
Luca stands there in the flesh. Looking all parts devil and sin. Lorenzo stands out like a sore thumb beside him with arms crossed in front of him. But Luca… No, he leans against the bar as if he owns the place. The fucker probably does. He holds a glass of whisky and salutes me. A woman tries to grab his attention, but he ignores her. I look away pissed and continue dancing.
Lily yells over the music. “I know you said there’s nothing between you guys, but he hasn’t stopped watching you.”
Sienna then leans in. “From what I’ve heard he’s never come here. Like ever. Apparently, he only ever attends his own clubs and bars even when he gets loads of offers.”
I’m half tempted to pull in the closest man and kiss him but I think it might start an outright shoot out. I want, in the biggest way, to go tell this man he can kindly fuck himself. My hips continue swaying to the music, trying to grasp onto the momentary freedom I felt a moment ago. I can’t shake the intensity of his gaze that prickles all over my skin.
A hand wraps around my waist and Lily steps away. His hot breath flushes over my neck as he speaks to me from behind.
“I am not a patient man.” His voice is all venom. “You never replied to my text messages.”
I try to ignore him, but his hand traces the lines of my hips through the leather dress. He pushes into my ass, and I can feel how unapologetically hard he is. “I thought I warned you not to go out.”
I go to turn but his hand keeps me in place. I shift my face to the side so he can hear me. “You don’t own me. You might know my dirty little secret but that’s all you have over me.”
He grabs my hand and pulls me through the crowd. I try to pull my hand out of his, but his grip is a vice. Yet no one seems to read between the lines. The women only stare at him bewildered, and the men part away like the sea, as if feeling the underlining danger of being in his path of rampage.
He pulls us into one of the white marble and gold encrusted women’s bathrooms. Entering, a hostess stands outside the door with a tray of shots and glasses of bubbles. I swipe a shot glass. Two girls are touching up their make-up. The moment we step in their eyes go wide at the sight of him. Fuck this man and his looks.
“Ladies if you could give us a moment.”
They throw their small items into their clutches. “Oh-of course!” They giggle as they pass us. The woman waiting at the door offers them another drink but says nothing of our intrusion nor does she reprimand Luca as he closes the door behind us and locks it.
You can’t be serious. This man can surely not own every part of this city. He does whatever he wants and people let him. Meaning they’re incredibly weak or I’m incredibly na?ve for locking horns with this man. What else am I meant to do? He literally has my life in his hands, and I’m too stubborn to step away after how far I’ve come.
Both of his hands fall to my side as he leans in, locking me between the basin and him. The three toilet stalls are empty, and the attached powder room plays classical music.
“You stopped running past my mansion in the mornings and shouldn’t you have been looming outside my club last night?”
A cynical laugh bubbles to the surface. “And you call me the stalker.”
His eyebrows furrow and I can tell he didn’t take too kindly to it.
“Why are you here, Luca?” I ask with venom in my tone, trying my hardest to stand up against this man who’s six-foot-four height is far too imposing. Everything about him is dangerous and intoxicating. The exact person I should not mingle with.
“It’s come to my attention you clearly don’t understand the definition of being my whore.”
“Aww you’re so sweet. You do care,” I say dryly as I pick up the shot glass and throw it back. He watches me intently.
“Do you think you need another one?”
“Maybe I want to let loose tonight. Find myself a hunk instead of a psycho.”
This time a dark chuckle erupts from him as his hand grabs my chin, so I have no choice but to stare into his all-consuming gaze.
“I’ll kill any man, woman, or dog who tries to touch what’s mine,” he says matter of fact.
I scoff. “Is that what I am now. Yours? Hard pass.”
His hand is crushing my wrist as he blocks me against the basin. His bright blue eyes stare down at me. “Then tell me, my little stalker. Why are you so obsessed with me? What are you after?”
I’m suffering under his proximity and spicy cologne. The last few shots slowly mix into a dangerous concoction. One that makes me consider how attractive he is despite his cruelty.
We couldn’t be more perfectly matched in our secrets and hideousness beneath the mask.
What I do know is even this monster is too much for me.
I need to shake him. Yet every part of me is urging to pull him closer. Flashes of our previous night start a heated thrum in my core.
He’s expecting an answer. One I can’t give him unless I reveal my cards. I didn’t come this far to only come this far.
“What do you want me to say? I saw you in a parking lot and immediately fell into an obsessive love?”
His hand wraps around my throat. That sickly sweet promise of being wrecked taking hold.
“I don’t do love,” he hisses.
“And you don’t do friends either. But how about manners?” I say, placing my hand on his.
“Perhaps you need to be taught another lesson.”