“We’ve been over this, Bella. It’s not safe.”
I can feel the tension building between us, and I’m trying really hard to avoid another argument. But she can’t make contact with anyone. Not yet.
“Dammit, Cal!” She pushes me back and gets up. “I want to know that Mark is safe.” She’s full-on yelling, hands shaking and tears welling in her eyes. “I want to see how Lucy is doing after the news of Trent’s death. I want to talk to my fucking family!”
I take a deep breath, contemplating the best approach here.
“Give me my phone,” I finally say, holding my hand out.
She slaps it in my palm, curses, and storms out of the room.
A quick call to Anders, and hopefully, we can come to an agreement that works for both of us.
“Hey,” I say when he picks up on the first ring, “I need you to do something for me.”
“Anything, Boss. What is it?”
"Go to the brother’s hospital room and call me when you get there.”
Anders laughs, though there is nothing comical about this situation. “He’s at NYC General. I’m back at Cori Cove.”
My teeth grind. “Did I ask where the fuck you were? Do it. Now.”
I end the call and slam my phone down on the desk. There is nothing I hate more than an employee who questions a job I give. I pay Anders damn good money, and I do it because he’s the best.
The sound of a door slamming has me hauling ass out of the bedroom. “Bella,” I holler, searching the suite frantically. “This isn’t funny, Bella. Where the hell are you?” I open and close closets, the bathroom door. “Fuck!”
She’s gone.
And she took my damn key card with her.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
“Can’t even make a damn phone call. What is this? Prison?” I’m halfway down the hall in the basement when I realize I’m talking to myself and getting strange looks from passersby.
Cal could be hot on my tail, for all I care, and that’s the thing—I don’t care. I’m twenty-three years old and if I want to leave that suite and go watch people prance around naked while getting groped, fucked, or both, then I have every right to do that. If I want to make a phone call to my mom to make sure she’s okay, I can do that, too.
I quickly hold up the card to the guard, and he gives me access to The Grotto.
I’m so sick and tired of everyone trying to tell me how to live my life. Foster parents, foster siblings, case workers—I’ve dealt with authoritative people my entire life. I’m an adult and I’m free to make my own choices. I’ll be damned if someone is going to tell me otherwise. Let alone impregnate me because it fits his plan.
No. Not anymore.
“Brooke.” Cherry beams with too much excitement. Her bright red lips match the nickname she’s presumed. “You came back. And you’re not in pajamas this time.”
I snatch a drink from her tray and tip it back, gulping down the entire contents before setting it back on the tray, empty. “Sure did.”
“Well, someone was asking about you after you left the other night. Maybe you could…give him a show.” She angles her head toward the guy who winked at me mid blow job the last time I was here.
“Oh, no. It’s not like that, Cherry. Actually, I’m in a relationship. I just…like the thrill, I guess.”
“No worries. I totally get it. Trust me, babe. You’re not the only one.” She nods toward a lady wearing a leopard suit, only it’s missing the crotch and the breast coverage. “Lady Leopard over there. Married to a state senator. Doesn’t even know she frequents this place.”
My eyes widen. “Really? That’s crazy.” I take a more serious note. “Cherry, can I ask you a question?”
She adjusts the tray on her hand, moving glasses around to balance it out. “Of course. Ask away.”
“Is this…” I’m not sure how to word what I want to ask. “Is this considered cheating? Ya know, coming here without the knowledge of your significant other.”
Cherry draws in a deep breath. “Well, that depends on how your significant other would feel if he found out. If he’d get mad, then yeah. Probably. But if he wanted to join in on the entertainment, then I’d say no.”
"He has definitely done his fair share of joining in.”
Her hand sets on my shoulder and she grins widely. “Then don’t sweat it, babe. He’d be a hypocrite to judge you.”
I nod. She’s right. Cal has been part of this club for years. Hell, he owns the damn place.
“Listen,” she continues, “if you’re worried about upsetting your boyfriend or getting caught, just disguise yourself. There is nothing wrong with watching. It’s porn, only live.”
“Thanks, Cherry. You’ve been extremely helpful.” I point to a full glass of mojito, lime this time. “Mind if I have another?”
“Have all you want. You pay your dues and we supply the drinks.” She picks one off the tray and hands it to me. “Holler if you need anything else.”
“I will. Thanks, again.”
With my drink in hand, I mingle through the crowd. I end up at the far side of the basement at a round table with two stools. There’s a small stage with three poles, running from the ceiling to the hardwood platform. Two girls dance around in sexy lingerie while men gawk, and a few even jerk their cocks. One is in the midst of fucking a girl from behind. Though, his eyes are not on his counterpart, they're on the dark-haired stripper holding eye contact with him.
I wonder if he’s fucking his wife and the dancer is his mistress. Maybe he’s not married at all and doesn’t even know the girl whose pussy his cock is stuffed in.
Then there’s the beefy biker dude who’s stroking his three-inch penis. I’d never guess a man of that stature was that small.
One of the things I like about this place is trying to guess the story behind each person. It’s sort of fun and exciting. I wonder if anyone is watching me and trying to guess my story.
Girl is hiding out because some deranged man wants to kill her and her boyfriend, so he can take all his money. She gets pissy and wanders here out of vengeance while searching for a thrill.
If only I could predict my outcome in this messed-up situation. Will Byron win and kill me eventually? Will someone kill him first? Will Cal and I end up married? Most importantly, now that I’ve found this place, will I ever want to give it up?
“Ready for another?” Cherry asks, coming out of nowhere. Before I even respond, she sets a full drink on the table and takes my empty one. I didn’t even realize I’d finished it off.
“Don’t mind if I do.” I smack my lips before wrapping them around the straw.
Cherry leans in, her lips practically brushing my ear. “See that dark-haired girl on the stage? That’s his wife.” She tips her head toward the guy who’s pounding his cock in another girl.
“Really?” I drag. “I knew there was some sort of connection there.”
Interesting. This is fun.
“Bella!” someone yells. Only, it’s not just someone, it’s Cal. I turn around and see him walking steadfast toward me. I look at Cherry, who’s glancing back and forth from me to Cal.