CHAPTER 1

ARIA POV

“Smile, Aria.” My dad said quietly. The warning in his made my spine stiffen. I've heard that tone my entire life.

Around us were ballroom decorations, the hall and lounge were filled with wealthy guests, expensive champagne, and fake laughter.

Everyone looked happy.

It was the perfect ball party. 

But standing beside my father, forced to greet people I barely knew, made me feel like a decoration placed beside him.

My smile stayed on my lips, but my fingers kept tightening around the champagne glass.

I found myself staring at the ballroom doors again… wondering how long before I could leave. 

I kept the smile on my face anyway. Years of practice made it easy.

“Mr Bennett, your daughter is stunning tonight,” one of his business partners said his eyes lingering a beat too long.

“Pervert,” I muttured under my breath. 

“Thank you,” my father replied grinning, resting his firm hand on my shoulder. “Aria understands how important these events are, and she makes sure to dress her best.”

Important.

That was his favourite word to use.

Everything in my life was important to him, my school, my friends, even the way I dressed, even who I dated. 

Everything except what I actually wanted.

I scowl at the thought of how he stopped me from joining the dance crew in my school. Insisting it is 'noble like' and I would end up worthless like my elder sister who absconds with her boyfriend after much pressure from him. 

She grew tired of being told what to do and being Daddy's pet. 

Sometimes I wondered what my life would look like if I made even one decision for myself. If I decide to follow my elder sister's footsteps. 

But I know it wouldn't be as easy as it looks.

Just as another guest approached us, I heard a familiar whisper beside me.

“God, you look like you're held hostage.”

I turned slightly and saw Ashley, my best friend, holding a glass of champagne with a mischievous smile.

I felt relieved instantly at the sight of her. Ashley was also dragged here by her father. However, the difference between mine and hers was that he made sure she was genuinely happy and had a good time. 

I stared at her wild curls and that tattoo peeking from her sleeve, something her dad actually encouraged. While mine must even see a single dot on me

“You have no idea,” I muttered cenching my fist behind my back to hide any hint of frustration.

Ashley leaned closer, lowering her voice. “I sure do. You look like you want to run away from here,” she added, grinning. 

“Of course. Any chance I get I would.” 

“Then escape with me for a day.” She muttered in a low voice. 

I frowned. “Escape where?”

Her smile widened.

“The kind of place your father would lose his mind if he knew you were there.”

I stared at her like a lost puppy. 

Ashley lifted her glass and took a slow sip. “I’m serious,” she said. “Let’s get out of here, the event is getting boring anyway.”

I glanced at my father. He was already having a deep conversation with another group of businessmen, laughing loudly like he owned the room.

Which, technically, he did.

“You know, he’ll notice if I disappear,” I said.

Ashley rolled her eyes. “Please. Your father is too busy impressing his partners to realise his daughter vanished. Besides, it's dark, he wouldn't even notice. He would think you've gone back home.”

She leaned closer. “Besides… I know somewhere far more interesting than this boring ballroom.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Interesting how?”

Her smile turned darker. “Dangerously interesting.”

That should have been enough to make me say no. Because I know Ashley's definition of dangerous isnʼt something good. 

My father had spent my entire life warning me about dangerous places and dangerous people.

But standing there in this suffocating dress, smiling at strangers while my father paraded me around like part of his business empire…

Danger suddenly sounded appealing.

“What kind of place are we talking about?” I asked with more interest.

Ashley glanced around making sure no one was listening.

Then she lowered her voice even further. “A private club.”

I frowned. “That doesn’t sound very shocking, exciting or dangerous.”

“Oh," she gasped still smiling. “It’s not the normal kind of club”. 

The way she said it made something tighten in my chest.

“What do you mean?” I asked suspiciously. 

Ashley leaned closer until her lips were almost touching my ear.

“The kind of place you would lose your cool when you see.”

I stared at her. “That sounds like a terrible idea.”

Her grin widened.

“Exactly.”

Before I could respond, she grabbed my hand and tugged me gently.

“Come on. One night of freedom won’t kill you. You've never truly experienced what is called.”

I hesitated, staring at my father. 

Across the room, he threw his head back in laughter as someone praised his latest business deal.

He didn’t even glance in my direction. It's like he even forgot I was here with him. 

For a moment, something rebellious sparked inside me.

Maybe Ashley was right, maybe I deserved one night that wasn’t controlled by my father.

I exhaled slowly. “Fine,” I muttered.

Ashley’s eyes lit up. “Perfect.”

She slipped her arm through mine and guided me toward the exit.

Ashley and I move through the side door of the ballroom, slipping past guards and curious guests.

The city air hits me, and I inhale loudly taking in the air. For the first time tonight, I can breathe. 

Ashley grins. “See? Much better out here. Come on, the fun really begins.”

I hesitate, looking back at the glittering ballroom. My father is still laughing, shaking hands, unaware I’ve escaped.

“Are you sure this place is… safe?” I whisper.

Ashley smirks. “Safe? Probably not. But it’s the kind of place your father would lose his mind over. And trust me, you’ll love it.”

My heart thunders with a mixture of fear and excitement. Maybe I need this… one night to be mine.

The door shut behind us with a heavy thud, cutting off the fake laughter and clinking glasses from the ballroom. Suddenly, the air felt different, it was cooler. My heart hammered so hard I could feel it in my throat.

The ride to the place was short. Immediately we got out of the car, and Ashley squeezed my arm. “Breathe, Aria. You’re okay.”

We walked down a short, dark passage. Red and gold lights glowed softly from the wall making it scream danger. My heels clicked on the concrete floor. Each step made me rethink my action. 

Then the passage opened into a huge room.

It was dark, warm and dangerous. Chains hung from the ceiling, catching the light and glittering like stars. Low music filled the air. Soft moans and loud gasps floated around us, and every sound hit me. 

My skin prickled. My nipples tightened against the inside of my dress before I could stop them.

To the left, a naked woman was tied to a big wooden X on the wall. Her arms and legs were spread wide, her wrists and ankles locked in thick black cuffs. Her pink dripping pussy was on display for everyone to see. 

A man stood behind her, dragging a soft leather whip slowly across her bare back. The tails brushed her skin softly she shivered. 

Then the whip landed on her back. Not too hard, but enough to make her gasp loudly and arch her back. Her mouth opened in a silent cry that turned into a low, shaky moan.

Red lines spread across her skin. She looked… lost in it. Like the sting was melting into something sweet deep inside her.

I pressed my thighs together without thinking. A warm feeling spread across my lower belly.

Ashley whispered, “You feel that?”

I couldn’t answer. My mouth was dry.

Next to them was a bench. A man lay across it, naked from the waist down, his wrists and ankles tied down. A woman in shiny black boots stood beside him. She rubbed slow circles on his ass with her palm, she was gentle, almost kind, then lifted a wide leather paddle.

Smack.

His whole body jerked. A red handprint appeared instantly. He groaned deep in his throat, his hips moved against the bench like he couldn’t help it.

She leaned down, her lips close to his ear, whispering something I couldn’t hear. His cock hardened instantly and began to leak with precum. She smiled, then smacked him again. 

“Harder.” He cried out this, a raw, needy sound that made heat flood between my legs.

I felt myself get wet, just from watching. My breath came short, my hands shook a little.

Everywhere I looked, people were touching, tasting, hurting, soothing themselves. 

Ahead of me a man knelt between a woman's thighs spread wide on a couch, she was blindfolded, her hands tied behind him. She rode his face slowly, grinding down while he flicked her desperately.

Her fingers twisted in his hair, pulling it hard. His muffled moans vibrated against her. She threw her head back and came with a sharp cry that echoed through the red room. 

My whole body felt too hot, and my clit throbbed with every second. I wanted to squeeze my legs together harder, but I was afraid I’d moan if I did.

Ashley leaned in, her lips brushing my ear. Her breath was warm and still smelled faintly of champagne.

“Still think this is a bad idea?” she asked, her voice husky.

I swallowed. My voice came out small and shaky. “I… I can’t think straight.”

She laughed softly. “Good. That means it’s working.”

I dragged my eyes away from the scene in front of me, trying to calm my racing heart. The room felt too hot, too loud, and too intense.

And yet I couldn’t stop looking. Then suddenly, the music lowered, but not completely. Just enough that people started shifting slightly.

The change was subtle, but noticeable.

A few heads turned toward the entrance of the room.

Some moved aside, like they were making space. I frowned, following their gaze.

A tall man stepped into the room, he wasn’t dressed like the others.

He has no mask or leather.

Just black pants, a dark shirt with the sleeves rolled to his forearms, and the quiet confidence of someone who didn’t need to prove anything.

He walked slowly through the crowd.

People greeted him with nods, and some stepped aside immediately. Others watched him with something close to respect, or fear.

My stomach tightened.

“Who is that?” I whispered.

Ashley didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she gave a low chuckle.

“Oh wow,” she murmured. “You really picked a night.”

I looked at her, confused. “What does that mean?”

She leaned closer to my ear againn. “That,” she said softly, “is the most feared and respected dominant in this club. Good with making his submissive feel both pain and pleasure.”

My eyes snapped back to him. As if he felt it, the man suddenly stopped walking.

He lifted his head slowly.

Our eyes met across the crowded room. And for a second, everything around us disappeared.

His gaze moved slowly over my face… his eyes held an unreadable expression. 

My heart slammed harder inside me.

I had the strange feeling that he could see everything.

The nerves, the curiosity, the heat still burning under my skin, the drip between my tigh. 

Then, slowly he lifted the corner of his mouth into a smirk.

And he started walking toward me.