“You act like I haven’t done this before. I’m a professional at dodging my guards.” She drew out her phone, typing out a text. It was only a few seconds before it beeped, her smile growing. “Freedom awaits. Follow me.”
“How?” I turned around to see Lennox only a few yards back, his lids narrowing as if he sensed I was about to go against him.
“Don’t lose me and whatever you do… don’t turn back when he yells your name.” She wiggled her eyebrows, flicking her head to where her bodyguard, Peter, was blending in with the wall. “Don’t worry, you’re with a proficient guard ditcher. You ready?”
“Absolutely.”
She clutched my arm and, in a blink, scurried us deeper into the cluster of figures, weaving, twisting, and sprinting for an exit, slipping out into the cold, damp night like a freaking ninja.
“Princess!”
“Spencer!”
Our names echoed in the air, only pushing us faster, across the pavement, the back area quiet, empty, and dark, glowing with a dim yellow-green light. Our heels smacked against the wet concrete, the thumps of their boots clipping up my spine.
“Where are we—?” Tires squealed in the night, and a pristine black Aston Martin skidded to a stop in front of us, the tinted windows lowering, a familiar blonde behind the driver’s seat.
“You ladies looking for a lift?” Hazel winked as Eloise tore the door open. What the hell? I just left her with Theo’s group inside.
“Spencer! Stop!” Lennox boomed, curling with anger and warning, his tone wrapping around the chilly air, flushing my skin.
“There is no ditching me and running out the back of a store like it’s some goddamn movie.” I could hear Lennox’s statement twist guilt into my chest, but I shoved it away. He didn’t control my life or me.
I dove into the backseat. The car was obviously made for speed and looks, not necessarily comfort for guests in the rear.
Eloise hadn’t even shut the door before Hazel slammed on the gas, the car squealing as it tore off, speeding down a back alley.
Twisting my head around, I saw Lennox slow his chase, coming to a stop, his expression vibrating with fury. I couldn’t hear him but saw him bellow, “Fuck!” His foot stomped as Peter caught up, both of their figures disappearing into the darkness.
I turned around, settling back into the seat, the wind blowing back on me, my heart thumping, adrenaline spiking my veins, the first real smile all night arching my lips.
“Can I say, best idea ever. I was about to shoot myself if I had to watch one more horse jump or hear about their statistics.” Hazel shifted the stick, propelling the car faster through the city like it was on rails. “Glad Lord John’s car was in front. I’ve wanted to take this car for a spin for a while now.”
“Wait. This isn’t your car?” I asked over the pop music pumping through the car, my question making them both look at me like I had lost my mind.
“Oh, sweetie, you have a lot to learn. You never take your own car.” Hazel glided around a corner.
“Why?”
“They have trackers on all royal cars. And security knows all our friends’ cars. Easy to find our location,” Eloise replied, her hair flicking wildly in the breeze. “Plus, this is so much more fun.”
“So, where to?” Hazel asked.
Eloise pulled a joint out of her purse, lighting it up. She leaned back her head, inhaling and exhaling deeply. “The Church.”
Hazel’s mouth curved up. “Yes.”
“Church?” My forehead wrinkled.
Hazel winked at me through the rearview mirror. “Oh, Spence. Stick with us… You’re about to have a fall to your knees otherworldly experience.”
The Church was the antithesis of its name.
Set in an old refurbished church, the ceiling soared far above our heads, the “confession booth” was the name of the huge bar along the side wall. Saints and Sinners were over the nongender toilets.
The music swayed my whole body, my mind twirling around each melody, feeling it rush through my skin and pound in my chest like a drum. The band, The Priests, were on the stage, their haunting, sexy sound tipping my head back and making me feel utterly free. Sexy. Powerful.
“I need water.” Hazel fanned herself, her eyes glazed as she continued to dance to the music as if she couldn’t stop.
I had smoked weed enough in school, but never anything past that. When Eloise placed a white pill on my tongue, I knew what I was getting into.
I was tired of feeling sheltered. Good. Controlled.
For one night, I wanted to act my age, lash out because everything I worked for in school had been flushed down the drain. Be free to feel angry. Though, I couldn’t seem to muster one ounce of irritation anywhere. I just felt happy. Warm. The lazy smile on my face aching my cheeks, my figure moving without my say, my arms twining above my head.
I understood I could get really involved in charities, and maybe that would be fine for me down the road.
But tonight it wasn’t.
The three of us danced in the middle of the packed dance floor, the thick, sticky air dripping sweat down my back, soaking through the white dress that probably cost more than most people’s rent here. My nylons were in the bathroom bin, and my heels had been discarded. I had no idea when or where I lost them.
I didn’t care.
My bare feet stuck to the wood floor, and the smells of marijuana, alcohol, sweat, and body odor filled the air, but everything felt so right. So good.
“Everyone is so high here; no one cares who we are and wouldn’t recall they saw me five seconds later.” Eloise had told me this when we had come in, the bouncer outside letting us through a side door. “I can always be myself here and have fun.”
“No one’s recognized you?”
“Yeah, but no one actually thinks it’s really me. Most believe I’m a really good lookalike performer.”
“Remember that time that drag queen was dressed like you?” Hazel laughed. “She totally called you a wannabe. It was hilarious.”
“Seriously?” I chuckled.
“Compared to her, I was!” Eloise exclaimed with amusement. “She did me better than me.”
It must be surreal to have people dressing up as you, performing in clubs and events.
The band switched to a slower sultry sound, making my nerves tingle as barely dressed sweaty bodies bumped into me, rubbing sensually against me. Deep in the back of my brain, I knew I would normally find this extremely uncomfortable and gross. I hated overcrowded places and being groped by strangers, but right now…?
It was a-maz-ing.
Swaying my hips, I lifted my hair off my neck, my tongue sticking to the roof of my mouth. “I’m gonna get some water,” I yelled to the girls.
“Tell them to put it on my tab,” Eloise spoke as the guy behind her rubbed his hands down her arms, making her head fall back in bliss.
“Get me one too,” Hazel said between the two guys on either side of her.
Nodding, I pushed through the crowd, heading for the confession booth. My mobile, stuffed in my bra strap, was buzzing frantically again, thumping down into my bones. I had ignored it, but for some reason, I tugged it out, peering down at the name lighting across the screen.