I dial Scarlett’s number, and she picks it up on the second ring, her groggy voice grumbling into my ear, “The Wright siblings and their hate for sleep will be the death of me.”
“Do you know about some B. L. K. V. W. Club?” I assume the letters stand for something, but the invitation fails to mention that.
A beat passes, and she clears her throat. “I’ve heard about it, yes.”
“I just got an invitation to their auction night.” And what’s an auction night anyway? Do they sell antiques in there? MaybeI put my information somewhere when I bought a chessboard for Aileen’s upcoming birthday?
“I see.”
Judging by her tone and total lack of emotion, she knows way more than she lets on. Too bad for her, I’m in the mood to push. “What can you tell me about it?”
I hear rustling on the other end of the line and a big yawn before she says, “Not much. It’s an elite club that drives on luxury, exclusivity, and prestige. You have to be chosen by the founding members, hence the auction night. Depending on how well the guests invest in the club, what they like to indulge in, and what kind of connections they offer…they take their pick.”
“And all these rich and successful people want to join it? Why?” There must be plenty of secret clubs around. Why pick this one?
“Because it’s new and there are a lot of secrets and rumors surrounding it, which makes it even more desirable. The more forbidden the fruit, the more it’s sought-after. Especially when you’re rich, bored and in search of an adrenaline rush.”
“So they can do whatever they want there?”
If that’s the case…what if it’s just a place for clueless people where some criminals have their fill, and the owners turn a blind eye to it all?
It would explain the invitation. My brothers have acquired many enemies over the years.
“As long as it’s consensual and everyone is of age, that is. Whoever breaks their golden rules gets kicked out, and their secret past is blasted all over socials.” She chuckles. “I think one of their owners must be a lawyer for how well they protected themselves from the law and potential lawsuits.”
“Who are the owners?”
More rustling in the background, and then I hear her gulping something. “Nobody knows. It’s top secret, and they don’t have to disclose it unless there is a lawsuit.”
I squeeze the invitation and sit on the bed, pondering this information and wondering why anyone would send it to me. It might be a joke, or someone meant to invite my brothers, but the name on the envelope is mine.
I should throw it away and not think about it. Going to such a place would be stupid and dangerous, except…
Before my uncle lost his mind and tried to burn me alive, we were about to have a prom at my high school, and the theme was a masquerade ball.
During my sessions, I created this list of things I wanted to try to make up a little for losing eleven years of my life. Dr. King said I should do some of them to feed the little starving teenager living inside me, demanding justice for everything that’s been stolen from her.
I never got to attend my prom, and now I can go to this sought-after club and experience something forbidden… Maybe that would cure one of my wounds.
The idea is crazy, stupid, illogical…but who gets a chance like that?
No matter what happens there, it will be a huge mistake, and the time has come for me to make one.
“Scarlett.”
“Yes?”
“Do you have any plans for Saturday night?”
Levi
Rock music blasts from the speakers as I put my black leather gloves on, and a smile shapes my mouth when a loud groan coated in pain and fear echoes through the space.
“Please,” he shouts, and I look at the man who has a tight chain with sharp thorns attached to the ceiling and wrapped around his neck. The thorns draw blood that slowly slides down his collarbones as tears fill his eyes. “Please,” he repeats, pulling at the collar and whimpering while taking several steps to the right and crying out when his bare feet connect with the broken glass splayed all over it.
Ah, is there a better sound in the world than the one of my victims begging for mercy?
“Why are you doing this?” he asks, jumping to the left, and another pain-filled cry rocks off the walls when he stumbles on the nails, their tips puncturing his heel.
