115

I thought about what she was saying, sliding my small clutch under the seat. The weirdness surrounding the Elite was becoming more disturbing. My thoughts drifted to my mother’s phone call and the fact that someone had been in our suite. There was no way the events could be a coincidence.

As Kennedy led us toward the front door, I noticed at least four security guards manning the front of the estate, two more burly guys at the door. For some reason, the sight of them bothered me more than it should. Were they hiding something I shouldn’t be allowed to see? The stories about the Damned were the thing legends were made of. Debauchery and violence. I knew better than to believe fifty percent of what I’d heard. Still, my mother’s words weighed on my mind. Yes, there were some very bad people in this world.

“Oh, you’re going to be frisked,” she said in passing.

“What for? Are they worried about weapons?”

“Hardly. They’re all skilled marksmen. That’s part of their training.”

“Their training?” I stopped her on the sidewalk, more uncertain than ever if I wanted to go inside.

She cocked her head, the light from the lampposts allowing me to see her frustration. She’d gone from warning me to chastising me in the blink of an eye. “I shouldn’t have mentioned anything, so don’t ask about things you don’t want to learn about. They’re looking for anyone who’s wired.”

“What?”

“Privacy. Every ritual is secret. Even I don’t know all that goes on behind closed doors.”

I doubted I wanted to. “Fine. You owe me for this.”

Kennedy was allowed inside by face recognition only. I was forced to endure being patted down by a monster of a man with a surly attitude and rough hands. When he slipped his fingers under my dress, touching my panties, I shoved him as hard as possible, resisting driving my knee into his crotch. “Watch it, asshole.”

“Tell your friend to keep her mouth shut,” he snarled.

“She’s a visitor.” Kennedy’s voice was more timid than I was used to.

“I don’t give a fuck if she’s the freaking Queen of England, consort. She gets frisked.”

Wow. The guy was a real asshole. “Just get it over with.” I didn’t add the nasty words to the end I really wanted to. His grin was lecherous as he moved to my chest, enjoying the hell out of fondling my breasts. I was nauseated, gritting my teeth to keep from saying something I’d regret.

“The rules for while you’re inside,” he snarled. “Stay in the party room, or you’ll be expelled and you won’t like how that happens. The rest of the house is off limits unless you’re invited.”

By the way he issued the statement, I had a feeling that wasn’t going to happen.

However, I’d evidently passed the barbaric test, and our entrance was allowed.

“Jerk,” I muttered.

“Shush,” she whispered. “Just stay in the room and you’ll be fine.”

“What if I have to use the bathroom?”

“Jesus, girl. There’s a suite of them adjoining the main ballroom. You’re allowed to go there but nowhere else. And I mean it.”

I was beginning to hate agreeing to come with her. What had originally sounded like fun seemed entirely different. Maybe I was wrong, but it seemed like she’d been summoned to the house, required to attend the party.

As soon as I walked inside the mansion, I was shocked by the opulence, especially for a house designed for college boys. From the Italian marble floor in the entrance foyer and the opulent chandelier hanging from the vaulted ceiling to the dozens of gorgeous red Marias in a huge crystal vase on the glass table, the facility screamed extreme wealth. The curved staircase leading to all four additional floors was ornate, the iron work in the railings incredible.

I was used to seeing expensive things, but the entire setting reeked of power.

There were no escorts leading the way, but we followed several people, ending up in a great room that had to be at least fifteen hundred square feet. We’d passed through hallways adorned with exquisite works of art in vibrant colors, every piece a vivid vision of sexual acts. I found myself unable to take my eyes off them, my head spinning at the intricacy of how they’d been painted. There was no doubt in my mind that the artist had had live models as inspiration.

Whips.

Chains.

A cage with two naked women inside. The depictions were beautiful instead of being vulgar, but the egotism of the artist was evident by the bold strokes and thickness of paint. They were also a reflection of the misogynistic attitudes of the men who lived in the house. They obviously believed women were playthings and nothing more.

Swallowing, I allowed my gaze to linger for a little longer, memorizing the poses. What if someone had seen my journal and that was the reason I’d been invited? The thought was titillating, even though I knew I should turn around and walk out.

You can do this. Just enjoy it.

As if that was possible.

“The house is beautiful,” I half whispered, fearful I’d draw attention to our arrival.

“You should see the bedroom suites. They are to die for.” Kennedy’s off-the-cuff announcement didn’t shock me more than any of her other behavior. She was a free spirit, which made what she’d said earlier more disturbing.

Every aspect of the ballroom was gothic in nature, the thick velvet drapes adorning dark woods and regal furniture. At least the music wasn’t from the last century, the dark dance vibes pulsating in every muscle. I noticed a flash of lightning outside and shivered.

“Let’s get a drink,” Kennedy suggested, leading me by the arm toward one of two massive bars in the room. I couldn’t help but notice the bartender was gorgeous, his arm muscles pushing against the tight confines of his black shirt.

“I’ll have a Coke,” I told him, which forced Kennedy to wrinkle her nose. She ordered a screwdriver and I sighed. It would seem I’d be the designated driver. I sensed her nervousness increasing, which kept me on edge. Still, a part of me was intrigued with why the Elite were given so much credit.

“Kennedy, baby. There you are. And who is this luscious friend you brought with you tonight?”

The deep voice was intoxicating, the rumble his husky tone created shifting straight to my core. I glanced in her direction, noticing a split second of hesitation—or maybe it was raw fear—before she smiled.

“Christian. This is my bestie, Ava .”

Christian. The name alone was something out of romance novels.

He took my hand into his, pulling my knuckles to his mouth. As soon as he pressed his voluptuous lips against my skin, a quiver drifted down my spine. To say he was stunning with his dark hair and sculpted muscles was an understatement, but it was his eyes that drew me in. They were luminous, a luscious emerald green tinged with gold flecks. I swallowed, trying to control my nerves.

“Quite possibly the most gorgeous woman in the room.”

If Kennedy was perturbed by his words, she didn’t show it, turning toward a group of girls who’d approached. I could tell Christian thought I’d be bowled over by the compliment. I knew how guys worked. I wasn’t immune to social media or the giggly girls in my various classes. They thought they’d find true love behind the walls of the City of Hope.

I knew better.

If anything, they’d find an unhappy marriage.

While stories involving the Elite were highly exaggerated, if what Kennedy had said was true and that a few chosen women became trophy wives, then even the administrators were in on what was happening behind the steel gates. However, I wasn’t lured into the fantasy that arranged marriages could work. They were barbaric to my mind. I still believed I’d find the perfect man, but only in the distant future after I became a star.

I pulled my hand away, giving him a polite nod. There was no sense in encouraging him. Nothing was going to happen tonight, especially nothing of a carnal nature. “Thank you, but it won’t work.”

“What won’t?” he asked, genuinely curious, his eyes full of amusement.

“Seducing me. I’m not that kind of girl.”

The flash of annoyance in his eyes couldn’t be hidden, although he tried to mask it well.

Kennedy suddenly interrupted, moving slightly in front of me. “Forgive my friend. She doesn’t get out much.”

“Well, little pet. You should explain the rules to your bestie.”

Kennedy’s lips were tight, anger sparking in her eyes. Then it was gone.

He exuded power as well as darkness, enough that a little voice inside told me to run. While the hair stood up on the back of my neck, the fact that I remained attracted to him shoved away any hint of fear. There was nothing I hated more than men who lorded their prowess over women.

“She doesn’t need to. I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself. Don’t worry. I’ll be a good girl tonight. I’m just a visitor and nothing more.” I pushed Kennedy aside, realizing that whatever punishment she’d mentioned could be on the agenda for her if I didn’t step in. I crowded his space, forced to tilt my head to look into his eyes. The flash in them occurred again, only this time I was able to look deeper into a black pit. As if the man had no soul.

We stood for a few seconds, neither one saying anything. His nostrils flared as he took a deep breath, purposely growling as if primal behavior would attract me.

Sadly, I was more aroused than I had been before, furious with my body for betraying me. I hated that his musky scent was intoxicating, prickles dancing on my naked arms.

“Be careful, delicate flower,” he said softly as he rolled his knuckles down the side of my face. “Monsters come in all shapes and sizes.”

I pulled my head away with an exaggerated move, irritated he thought his possessive bullshit would attract me. “Monsters I can handle, as well as little boys trying to prove themselves as men.”

Chuckling, he gave me another salacious look before walking away. Only seconds later, I realized he was continuing to stare at me.

“What’s his problem?” I knew the answer. He thought he was entitled. I was already uncomfortable.

She turned to face me, her expression more pensive than before. “What are you doing? You all but tossed gasoline onto a flame. He’s already attracted to you.”

“Oh, please. I bet his dick is the size of a peanut.”

“You don’t understand. This was a mistake. He’s one of the three Elite members to stay away from at all costs.”

“Why?”

The way she swallowed was a clear indication of how nervous she was. “Because he’s bad news.”

“Who are the others?” Why had she brought me here? She’d obviously been considered one of them for some time. I was beginning to feel completely uncomfortable, especially since Christian’s eyes remained on me.

As she scanned the room, I sensed she was ensuring no one was paying attention. “Weston and Clinton.”

“Like Clinton and Abel?” Evidently, the president of the little club thought he had more power than he did.

Did my parents know about the school’s reputation? They’d never said anything to me about the Elite. But my mother’s strange reaction had been a red flag. Had they been pressured to send me here? Had I been the one to find the school?

No. I hadn’t been. I’d nagged them for two years to allow me to take anything other than community classes. This had been my father’s suggestion. My father had likely been a drill sergeant in a previous life. He’d barked orders after researching everything. There were far too many questions in my mind that I was worried I wouldn’t like the answers to.

“Exactly like that. They rule the entire school. The other guys you see are fine, some of them very nice, but they won’t interfere with whatever the three men want. Stay away from them.”

“Why else did you bring me here, Kennedy? Be honest with me. Did someone put you up to it?”

It was as if a light had sparked inside her head. Or as if she knew she was being watched.

“Don’t be silly. I asked you because I wanted you to have some fun for a change. You can’t allow three wicked boys to ruin the party. This is the place to be.” Whatever the reason she was nervous before had faded away. “Let me introduce you to some other people. Okay?”

I allowed my gaze to lock onto Christian, noticing the smirk on his face.

A cold shiver drifted all the way down to my toes.

The moment she dragged me further into the crowd, I had a sense of being watched.

As if I’d been lured to the party for a specific reason.

Just like before.

As if I’d suddenly become prey to three big bad wolves.