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“And you’re assuming I care what you think of me. Think what you will. I’m outta here.” I turn to leave, hoping beyond hope I run into Christine on the way out so I can snag her and get the hell out of there, but the sound of Sylvia’s icy voice stops me.
“Prove it, or I’ll make sure Christine’s name gets blacklisted from all pledge lists.”
I almost trip over my own two feet. I stop and turn to lock eyes with the witch herself. “She has nothing to do with this.”
“She most certainly does. Seems your bestie wants nothing more than to pledge Beta Phi Alpha. How hurt would she be if she found out you ruined that for her?”
“Sounds like I’d be doing her a favor.”
“Doing who a favor?” We all turn to see Christine, smiling wide next to Brittany. “Whatcha guys talking about?”
I want to tell her how evil this place is and that she doesn’t need these people in her life. I want to protect her and, even if she hates me in the end, know I did the right thing. But the smile she wears stops me.
Sylvia steps forward. “Oh, we were just talking about pledging. Jensen was just telling us how much you want to become a sister at Beta Phi.”
It takes all of me not to pull out the football moves my dad taught me and bum-rush her.
“Oh my God, yes! I would love it here. This is like my dream house. You girls are all so awesome!” Again, my stomach drops with guilt.
Sylvia continues to dig the winner’s knife in my back. “So, what do we say, Jensen? Up for a little field trip?”
I STARE DOWN THROUGH THE two-way mirror of my office at the packed dance floor. The strobe lights bounce off the crowd as bodies grind into one another, allowing the music and libations to take control. Half of these people don’t even need a private room. Sex blares within the beats, drawing out their inhibitions and enticing them to lose control.
The club is at capacity. It always is. Members, for as long as I’ve run the place, and even before, when my father held the reins, filter in and out, their true identity safe and locked up in my office.
My eyes locate a group of college girls who make it into the main corridor, just on the outskirts of the bar. My fists clench, whiteness appearing on the once peach knuckled flesh. This is the third time this month Fredrick has failed to monitor the entrance. I would make it a point to fire him, showing all staff my rules are exactly that, but he’s been employed at Exquisite since my father ran the place. He would turn over in his grave if I let him go.
I hear a soft click as the door to my office opens. “Damien, I wanted to let—”
“I see them. How’d they get in here?” I don’t turn to address him. I’m sure he can see the displeasure on my face from the glare on the glass.
“I was on break. James was covering for me. He must’ve let them in.”
I’m not one for excuses. I don’t care to hear them, nor do I accept them. I’m a man who believes you should embrace your faults. It’s the only way to learn from your mistakes, misjudgments. How do you learn if you don’t acknowledge them?
“I want James gone within the hour. I want these little brats out of my club even faster.”
“Sure thing, Damien.”
I allow him to exit just as he entered, not taking my eyes off the dance floor. I take interest in the group of girls, anticipating the moment when Fredrick reaches them, traps each one by the neck, and tosses them out of my club. It’s less painful than what I would do if I got my hands on them. The anger is back at the intrusion of people who think they can just enter my establishment with the curiosity of a dirty alley cat, wanting to know if the rumors are true. Well, if they found the place, they should have the answer they’re looking for.
Exquisite is a private club for private members. If you’re here and do not own a membership, it’s because you were invited by someone who does. No one just walks in. You are specially chosen to access my club, drink my booze, and dance on my floor. If you aren’t invited, you aren’t let in. Do I see people within the crowd I don’t recognize? People who have successfully found themselves inside my club? Of course. And those are the ones I like to watch the most. They’re so eager to find a place inside my playground, they’ll do anything. And when I find someone eager to be molded, I make it my mission to ruin them—and not in a bad way. If you’re here in the first place, that’s your number one goal.
