Chapter 7
Myssa
The anxiety rolls through me as I get closer to the club. Knowing Vix and Knox will be there gives me some comfort. Worst-case scenario, I only have one drink and take off. I mean, at least I tried, right?
The front of the club comes into view as I round the corner.
The three-story building stands out with its dark brick and tinted windows.
The copper design with the Frequency logo stretches across the front, the lights from oncoming traffic highlighting its intricate detail.
As I walk closer to the front, I notice the line of people stretching blocks from the front door.
I’m about to cross to the entrance when familiar steel sapphire eyes catch my own. The sarcastic smirk, although quick, is unmistakable, and I can’t help but chuckle a little to myself. I wait for the cars to pass by and head toward him.
Knox, my best friend, now stands with his arms crossed, trying to look serious.
I just shake my head knowing the sarcastic playful side that hides underneath.
Ever playing the part to intimidate the line and have the ladies swooning.
He’s is good looking, don’t get me wrong.
His menacing tall frame is clad in black, from head to toe.
His blond hair pulled back in a ponytail.
Tattoos peek out from his neckline, trailing down to his hands, adding to his menacing presence.
As he turns, I notice his earpiece, and he puts a finger to it as if he’s listening to someone relaying something to him.
The two men next to him check IDs with flashlights as patrons attempt to gain entrance.
“Can I help you, miss?” he asks sternly. I roll my eyes, but he doesn’t break character.
“I’m on the list,” I say, trying to match his energy.
“Name.” He leans over one of the bouncer’s iPad, pretending to look.
“Myssa Conner.”
As his counterpart starts to check, and I almost forget I know him and start worrying I’m not on the list. I raise an eyebrow at him and give him a what-the-fuck look. He breaks character with a wide grin.
“I’m sorry. I can’t pretend anymore. Hello, beautiful,” Knox says playfully, opening his arms to hug me.
I slap his bicep. “Jerk.”
“How are you? I’ve missed you. It's been a minute.” I say retuning his hug and sinking into his familiarity.
He slings an arm around my neck and starts to walk me towards the door. “Yeah, well, you know me. Work, work, work, keeps Knoxy boy out of trouble.”
I laugh. “Ain’t that the fucking truth.”
“Have you been hitting the gym lately? You look a little more in shape than the last time I saw you,” I tease.
Of course, he gives me a little side flex to show off.
“Oh, you likey, huh?” He lets out a sassy sigh, waggling his eyebrows at me.
I pretend to silent vomit and just shake my head.
“I said a little more in shape. Take it easy there, sparky, let’s not get carried away.”
“Hey now, the chicks dig em,” He pouts.
And as if on cue, a few girls agree loud enough for us to hear from the line. I roll my eyes and laugh caustically. “Well, I see that ego of yours hasn’t changed.”
“Me? Ego? Not at all…” He lets the sarcasm trail off, puffing out his pecks at me and sucking in a breath.
I smack him in the stomach, and he deflates quickly, rubbing his abs. “Hey! That wasn’t very nice. Don’t embarrass me in front of the ladies, Myssa.” He points at the women in line as they giggle.
“Knox, you are such a man whore,” I scoff at him.
“I’m glad you came, Myssa. Come in; let me give you the grand tour.” He holds out his arm for me to take.
I rest my fingertips on his forearm, ignoring how the women behind me pout, assuming he’s picked me over them. “Don’t mind if I do, kind sir. Lead the way.”
Stepping through the threshold of the entryway, the pull in my chest that I’ve felt over the last few days is amplified.
It’s as if a switch has been flipped within me.
Adrenaline rushes through me, causing my heart rate to spike, and dizziness stops me in my tracks.
I try to get my bearings and calm myself.
After a beat, it starts to subside back to the small tug it once was.
“You ok?” Knox frowns down at me in confusion.
“Yeah, just felt,” I pause for a second, not sure how to describe it, “weird.”
“You want to sit down”? he asks, concerned.
I try to give him a reassuring look. “No, no. I’m good. Let’s go. Show me your new stomping grounds, Mr. Head of Security.”
“I know, right? Who the fuck would’ve ever thought the trailer park boy who used to steal cigarettes would turn out to be head of security?” He laughs at his own fortune.
I can’t help but needle him. “Clearly, your boss is one fry short of a Happy Meal, giving you that kind of responsibility.”
“Hey now.” He nudges me and shoots me a side eye.
“I’m kidding. I’m proud of you, Knox. I really am.” I beam at him, happy he’s finally found his place.
“Thanks. It means a lot.” He pats his chest before motioning to a set of double doors ahead. “Alright, are you ready?”
“Yes, sir.”
As we make our way past the lobby, I pause to take it all in.
The walls match the dark brick of the building’s exterior, while large flickering sconces mimic candle light dancing on the walls.
Crimson velvet drapes hang from ceiling to floor, hiding any light that might try to peek through the windows on the other side.
Red LED lights twinkle through dark Victorian trim below the ceiling and black lights above make everything in the space glow.
The atmosphere it creates feels like a scene right out of a vampire novel.
A large bar to my left, manned by three bartenders, features every type of liquor you can think of on illuminated shelves.
Dark leather booths stretch across the opposite side of the bar, and black tables with Victorian-inspired silver molding and matching chairs “are scattered throughout the space.
Even the wall art features gothic elements.
I look at Knox, and he’s smiling down at me. “Pretty sweet, isn’t it?”
It really is. This place feels different—the vibe, the energy, the pull. It gives me a sense of peace, like home.
Realizing I haven’t answered, I look at him, knowing my eyes are still full of wonder. “Yeah, you can say that alright.”
“Oh, wait until you see upstairs. That’s where Vix is. You’re gonna love this.” He takes my hand and pulls me to the elevator on the opposite end of where we entered.
Before the elevator even opens up, the bass of the music bleeds through the doors.
Stepping out, this floor seems twice as large as the floor below, and the haunting remix rendition of “Bela Lugosi’s Dead” by Bauhaus consumes the space.
The large dance floor is prominent as it takes up most of the room.
Dark chains cascade from the ceiling, some low enough to grab on to.
Panels of black metal fencing stretch what seems to be ten feet high, with gaps for people to get on and off the glowing, red-hued dance floor.
A stage in front of the dance floor is occupied by the DJ controlling tonight's mood.
As patrons dance, their clothing pops in fluorescent coloring as the black lights from above illuminate the scene.
The same dark aesthetic surrounds us on the walls, and the bar is on the right side with stools surrounding both sides.
A few booths are tucked away on the left.
I take in the view and get closer to the stage. A roped-off winding staircase leads to a large balcony with rails of steel piping overlooking the dance floor.
“What’s that?” I shout towards Knox, pointing upstairs.
Knox looks up and waves a hand dismissively. “Oh, that’s the boss’ office. No one is permitted up there.”
Nodding in agreement, I say, “Ahh, makes sense. This place is crazy.”
Knox beams at me with approval. He guides me towards the bar where Vix is working. Holding my elbow, he leans down by my ear so I can hear him over the music. “Hey, I gotta get back, but Vix will hook you up with anything you need. My treat tonight.”
His grip tightens on my elbow, and I look up to see him glaring towards where Vix is leaning against the bar, her cleavage in full view as she puts on her best flirty grin at the few guys seated.
“Knooox.” I draw out in warning, “You know it’s not real, it’s a persona, so she gets good tips.”
He blinks, looking down at me. He takes one more look in their direction as his jaw ticks and his throat bobs.
“It doesn’t matter. She’s not mine, anyway.” He looks back down at me, and for a beat I can see the hurt in his eyes. He quickly changes his tone, and before I can protest, he continues.
“So glad you came tonight, Myssa,” he says, giving me a half hug and kissing my head. “Hopefully, we’ll see you more.”
“Thanks. Me too,” I return, but it almost falls on deaf ears as he swiftly walks back to the elevator. I watch him give Vix one more glance and steps in.
God, these two just really need to fuck already.
It’s ridiculous watching them stumble over each other while I get caught in the middle.
Both of them try to deny their feelings towards the other, but the writing is on the wall.
Hell, there might as well be a giant billboard somewhere with neon flashing lights.
Walking towards the bar, I watch Vix, and it’s exactly how I thought it was.
She flirts and talks to the guys who are clearly eating up what she says as both fixate on her cleavage.
They don’t even try to hide it. She finally takes a step back to turn around to make their drinks, only to roll her eyes at the other bartender.
The other bartender looks down to stifle a laugh.
I chuckle at the interaction, drawing her attention.
She mouths hey to me, holding her index finger up to me before finishing the orders the guys asked for. After she delivers the drinks, she makes her way toward me.
“Hey, bitch!” she yells, popping her hip on top of the bar to lean over, giving me a quick hug.