Chapter 5
CHANTEL
Eden After Dark is high-end luxury serving up curated sin. The multi-level club has a dance floor, a rooftop pool and bar, and an exclusive space for business-only meetings. I saw it briefly once before with Mariella, but tonight, the dark, intimate atmosphere is definitely amplified.
Abella told me on the way here that this party is exclusive to VIP clients, which means members of The Society will be rubbing elbows with the Cosa Nostra.
Unsurprisingly, when we walk through the door with Cristian and Angelo, there’s an immediate shift in the air. The Vitales are well-known in The Society, but they don’t attend social events unless they have a reason, even if they own the place. Tonight serves a purpose, whatever it is.
Cristian leads us through the club, and I take everything in while some of the guests shoot us curious glances.
The space is drenched in gold and emerald with an abundance of greenery and vines hanging from the ceiling.
This level is intimate, with velvet bar stools, lounges, hidden alcoves, and burbling fountains. Apple motifs and snake décor bring a seductive, forbidden energy to the room while dancers in gold body paint draw attention to the elevated platforms throughout.
Beautiful women in candy-apple red corset dresses pass by with trays of fig, pomegranate, and citrus cocktails. Each of them greets Cristian with a smile before their eyes narrow in my direction.
“God, if looks could kill,” Abella murmurs in my ear.
“Seriously,” I whisper under my breath.
“Don’t worry about them,” she says.
Cristian pauses to glance over at the two of us whispering, his jaw hardening slightly as his gaze drifts over my outfit for the second time tonight.
Abella found me a backless gold diamante mini dress she swore would be perfect.
I thought so too, but now I’m questioning everything—like the fact that it’s held up by a single halter strap and the plunging neckline doesn’t allow for a bra.
“Mr. Vitale.” A beautiful blonde in one of those red dresses approaches us, her gaze sweeping over Cristian’s body. “It’s my pleasure to serve you tonight.”
Val shoots us a look as we all clock the double-entendre. This woman definitely wants to serve Cristian in more ways than one.
“Thank you, Sienna. But you’ll be attending to my guests this evening.”
“Oh. Of course, sir.” She nods, but her expression falls flat.
Cristian leads us toward the owner’s alcove, an elevated space that offers some privacy and a view of the crowd. It’s surrounded by gauzy green drapes and more foliage, blending seamlessly into the background.
As we reach the short set of stairs, a man removes the velvet rope to allow us through. Cristian guides me in front of him, his hand brushing the bare skin of my lower back.
It sends a shiver down my spine, and I’m almost certain he felt it, but I pretend it never happened.
At the top of the landing, the girls and I find our seats on the curved velvet lounge while the guards take up their posts beyond the curtains.
“Get them anything they’d like,” Cristian directs Sienna.
“Of course, Mr. Vitale. Is there anything I can get you?” She stands there, so hopeful he’ll say yes, but he doesn’t.
He shakes his head and glances at Angelo, who’s leaning down to murmur something in Abella’s ear. Judging by the way she’s blushing, it’s safe to assume it’s something about him railing her in that red dress later on. I swear if she weren’t already pregnant, the look he gives her would fix that.
“We’ll be back when we’re done with our meeting.” Angelo presses a kiss to the top of her head.
“Take your time.” Abella leans back with a sigh. “I’m going to enjoy this.”
Before they go, Cristian meets my gaze one last time, and it almost looks like he wants to say something, but he doesn’t.
It leaves me with a lingering sense of uncertainty as I watch him walk away. But Sienna solves that problem when she steps forward, intentionally blocking my view.
When I look up at her, every trace of warmth has disappeared from her face.
“Drinks?” She forces a smile as her gaze moves to Abella.
“I’ll have a Sprite,” Abella tells her.
She takes orders from Val and Lucia before she offers me a cold stare. “And you?”
“I’ll have champagne, and you can just bring the bottle. We’ll open it.”
Abella snorts as Sienna walks off. “Don’t trust her with a cocktail?”
“Hell, no. What is with all these women giving me the evil eye tonight?”
“You walked in beside Cristian,” she muses. “I doubt he’s ever come here with any other women at his side, so you’ve probably just shattered all their dreams. It’s the curse of keeping company with hot men.”
“Does it ever bother you?” Lucia asks. “Having women ogle your husband like that?”
“It used to,” Abella admits. “When we first married, and our relationship was tense to say the least. But I don’t worry about it anymore. I trust Angelo, and he always makes it very clear where he stands if anyone steps out of bounds.”
“You got one of the good ones,” I murmur.
“There are more out there,” she assures me.
I nod, but truthfully, I can’t even let myself imagine it.
Sienna returns with our drinks, and the conversation drifts easily from one topic to the next.
We never have difficulty finding things to talk about, and over the next hour, we cover a variety of subjects.
Val fills us in on the last wedding she planned for a couple who never actually made it down the aisle, because the bride found the groom kissing one of her friends.
The girls get caught up in the horror of it, but it leaves a sour taste in my mouth, because nothing surprises me anymore. The bar is so low it’s in hell.
I’m three glasses deep in my bottle of champagne when Abella leans back, fanning her face.
“Everything okay?”
“Is it hot in here?” she asks.
“A little. Do you need to get some air?”
“Yeah, I think so. I keep overheating and getting lightheaded. The joys of pregnancy.”
I grab the flyer for this evening’s party from the table, taking a quick peek at the festivities.
It looks like there are different experiences throughout the club, each of them divided into one of seven sins.
I skip over the gambling den, banquet room, and dance floor until I find what I’m looking for.
The rooftop promises fire and ice displays, an infinity pool, and a view of the city.
“You want to head up to the roof?”
Abella nods, and I help her up, looping my arm through hers.
The girls join us as we make our way through the club with the guards in tow.
It takes us a minute to get an elevator, and it feels a little like we’re in a fishbowl being entirely enclosed in glass.
But as we pass by the second level, I catch sight of something I rather wish I hadn’t.
It’s just a brief glimpse of him in profile, but I’m almost certain that was Marco on the second level. I shudder at the thought of running into him, and when we exit the elevator, Val nudges me to get my attention.
“Chantel?”
“Hmm?”
“You good?”
“Yeah. I just need another drink. I’ll catch up with you.”
She nods, and they venture across the rooftop to an open table as I head for the bar.
“What can I get you, sweetheart?” The bartender glances up at me.
I look over the menu and order the strongest thing I can find. “I’ll have a Fishbowl and a water, please.”
She arches a brow at me. “I hope you have someone to share that with.”
“Oh, I do.”
I know better than to mix liquor, but right now, I don’t really care. The bartender returns with the Fishbowl and a bottle of water, and I make my way over to the girls.
“Um, what’s up with that?” Lucia eyes the drink in my hand.
“I was thirsty.” I smirk, taking a large sip from one of the straws.
“Apparently.”
“Try it.” I offer it to her.
She takes a sip, and I hand the bottle of water to Abella. “Feeling any better?”
“Not really.” She frowns. “Would you be terribly upset if I bail early and go lie down?”
“Of course not. Do you want me to get Angelo?”
“No.” She shakes her head. “I’ll have the guards take me to the penthouse, and he can just meet me there when he’s done.”
I glance at Val, and she shrugs. “I offered to go with her. She won’t let me.”
“I want you all to stay and have fun. I’m just going to pass out the minute my head hits the pillow.”
“You want us to walk you out?” I ask.
“No, you should enjoy the party. It’s a nice view from up here.”
“It is.” Lucia wiggles her brows at one of the bare-chested men in the pool.
We all give Abella a round of hugs and a quick goodbye before her entourage of guards follows her into the elevator.
When I turn around and look out over the twinkling lights of the city, I realize she’s right. It really is a nice view.
“I’m going to the bar to get a drink,” Lucia says.
“You don’t want to share this one?” I wiggle the Fishbowl at her.
“Nope. That’s a disaster waiting to happen. Besides, I’m in the mood for what he’s having.” She eyes the guy in the pool again.
“Already mentally compiling your wedding registry?” I tease.
“How’d you know?” She smirks.
“Go shoot your shot.”
“Will one of you come with me?” she pleads. “He’s there with a friend, so I need a wing woman.”
“Not it.” I glance at Val. “I’m taking you off the bench, Moretti.”
“Ugg, fine,” she groans. “I’ll go, but I’m not flirting with anyone.”
“Famous last words,” Lucia sings as they walk off arm in arm.
As it turns out, she’s right. Because an hour later, I’ve drunk way too much of the Fishbowl by myself, and I’m definitely feeling it. Val and Lucia keep texting me and trying to get me to join them, but I’m actually quite content just sitting back and taking it all in, except for one problem.
I tap out a quick text to Val to let her know I’m heading to the bathroom and I’ll be back in a bit. She offers to go with me, but I tell her I’m good. There’s a changing room on this level, but when I take a peek inside, it’s chaotic, so I take the elevator down to the next floor.