Chapter 6: The Club

ELENA

"...I'm really looking forward to dinner on Sunday. It's been a while," Marcel went on.

I didn't know what to say to that. I most definitely was not looking forward to the it. So I settled for the easiest response I could manage.

"Thank you, Marcel," I replied. "I'll see you then."

The call ended after a few more conversations and I slid the phone into my pocket. I locked the door properly and kicked off my shoes.

I carried them down the hallway to the bedroom and placed them back in their spot in the closet, tossed my work bag onto the armchair by the foot of the bed, and set my phone down on the nightstand.

It had been a really long day at the office, hours spent typing, revising proposals and surviving on a cup of coffee and sandwich for lunch. Still loved my job though.

My phone buzzed on the nightstand just as I turned toward the closet again. I glanced back briefly and made a mental note to check it later. Right now, I just needed to wash the day off.

I worked on autopilot after that, pulled my hair up into a messy bun, stripped out of work clothes, wrapped myself in a bathrobe and got into the bathroom.

A while later, I was all freshened up and in comfortable clothes. I grabbed my phone off the nightstand on my way out of the bedroom, heading toward the kitchen to put together something quick for dinner.

I swiped open the lock screen, expecting a chat update from Cassie or a follow-up email from my supervisor.

Instead, a notification from an unsaved number was sitting right at the top. I tapped it open.

Unknown: Turns out Vermont wasn't the last time I thought I'd see you.

I halted in my tracks halfway across the living room. My heart gave a sudden, hard thud against my ribs as the realization dawned on me.

Ronan.

I walked slowly over to the couch and sat down, my eyes fixed on the screen. He found out I lived in New York? Did he stalk me? Well, it just might turn out that the connection I thought we had was not all in my head afterall.

I typed back.

Me: How did you know I was in New York?

I stared at it, it kind of sounded defensive and so I settled for something else.

Me: You found out I stayed in New York.

And I pressed send.

I held the phone with both of my hands, waiting for a reply. Almost instantly, the three little typing dots appeared. They bounced for a few seconds... then stopped and then the screen lit up.

Unknown: Cassie mentioned it.

Another text came in almost immediately.

Unknown: Meet up?

I sat up straighter, a sudden wave of anticipation rushing through me.

My rational brain, the part of me that always followed the rules, was telling me to back off. He was Cassie's brother. My parents were currently planning a future for me with Marcel plus Ronan was someone I just met barely two weeks ago.

I was supposed to ask why he wanted to see me but instead, a sudden, reckless boldness took over.

Me: Location?

The typing indicator appeared again immediately. Then it paused. A full minute dragged by leaving me to wonder if he was rethinking it. Then, the message came.

Unknown: Nocturne.

It was followed up with an address. I stared at it. It was one of the exclusive nightlife spots in the city. Before I could process that, another text popped up right behind it.

Unknown: You okay with this?

Me: I am. Tomorrow night?

I felt what I was doing was stupid and playing with fire. But the thing was, I wasn't particularly interested in avoiding the flames. For the first time in my life, the risk was actually thrilling.

The reply came back almost immediately.

Unknown: 10 pm.

Me: See you there.

Unknown: Looking forward to it, Elena.

--

Throughout the entire day that Friday, my heart was basically racing with anticipation.

I refused to let myself analyze whether going to this club was a good idea. I knew that if I went through with this tonight, if I walked into his space, it was going to change things between us.

By 8:30 pm, I was standing in front of my open closet, staring at my options. I finally settled for a fitted black dress that fell just above my knees. I paired it with black block heels, styled my hair down in loose waves, and applied a light lipstick.

At 9:30 pm, I was already on my way. I eventually got to the address. I got to the parking lot and turned off the engine. This was probably where I was supposed to question my decisions.

I didn't, instead I grabbed my little clutch and stepped out of the car. The building was massive. I could feel the low, muffled thrum of heavy bass vibrating through the pavement.

I approached the velvet rope at the front entrance, where two bouncers in dark suits stood guard.

"Name?" the larger of the two asked.

"Elena Marlowe." I kept my tone steady.

He checked his tablet, then paused. His eyes flicked up to my face, taking me in for a quick second before he touched a hand to the earpiece hooked around his ear.

He murmured a few quiet words into his mic that I couldn't hear over the bass. A second later, the side door opened, and a guy stepped out.

"Elena?" he asked.

"Yes."

"Right this way, please."

He unhooked the rope, allowing me to step through, and led me through the soundproof doors into the main venue.

Lights flashed in deep hues of red and blue across the place, drinks were flowing, and dancers were performing their choreographed routines on the elevated platforms.

I looked around as I followed the escort through the crowd. And the music... nearly deafening. Of course. It made total sense now. The loud music back at the Henderson house coming from his room, wasn't just him being annoying... it was literally his normal environment.

Whether this was the right decision or a massive mistake, I honestly couldn't find it in myself to care anymore. The adrenaline running through my veins just felt too good.

We moved through the space, heading away from the general floor and toward a black marble stairs guarded by another security.

The escort led me up the stairs. We reached the top, stepping into a wider dimly lit space and I could already tell it was the VIP section.