Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 67140 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 336(@200wpm)___ 269(@250wpm)___ 224(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67140 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 336(@200wpm)___ 269(@250wpm)___ 224(@300wpm)
Daria enters slowly, craning her head to look all around. She greets me with a nod, keeping her hands stuffed into her black leather jacket.
The next to enter is Angel, one of the dancers at Inferno. “Hey, girl,” she grins at me. “Okay if I crash this party?”
“Of course,” I say. I don’t know Angel very well, but she seems sweet. On stage, she mostly wears wigs, but her hair is long, straight, and dyed black.
Honey bounces in, all smiles in a taupe bodycon dress, with her hair in ringlet curls. “Elodie! You look amazing! Who did your hair?”
“Hey, Honey. You look great, too.” I don’t tell her Jaeger did my hair. He doesn’t look like he’s capable of it, but he’s better at doing my hair than I ever was. He seems to enjoy taking the time to pamper me. The shelf in the shower is filled with hair masks and special conditioners for my curls, and the results have been fabulous. My skin glows, and my shining curls are behaving better than I’ve been able to achieve.
Honey’s already moved on. “Omigosh,” she cries when she sees the brunch spread Jaeger ordered. Angel joins her, grabbing a strawberry from a bowl of cut fruit.
“So this is his place, huh?” Daria lingers in the entryway, leaning to look through the open door to our bedroom.
“This is it,” I wave her in. “Feel free to snoop.”
Honey laughs, and Daria’s shoulders drift down an inch.
“C’mon,” Angel beckons. Her plate is already filled with bacon and pancakes. The food tempts Daria enough to join the other two.
“You look good,” Honey says.
“Thanks.” I accept her offer for more coffee and caramel creamer.
“Girl, this place…” Angel says.
“I know,” I say.
Daria’s still in the kitchen area, opening cabinets and checking them out. I wouldn’t be surprised if she figured out the location of Jaeger’s safe.
“I like it,” Honey announces. Angel gives her a fond look, and Daria rolls her eyes. It’s obvious any member of Fraternitas has Honey’s stamp of approval. I worry about her lack of self-preservation.
“Has he said anything more about… you know?” Honey waves a piece of bacon at me.
“Look at her ring,” Daria points out. Honey drops everything to ooh and ahh over it. Even Angel looks impressed. I fight the urge to tuck my hand away.
“He’s made it clear that I’m his woman,” I admit.
Honey claps her hands. “What about the claiming ceremony? Has he said anything about that?”
I shake my head.
“It’s supposed to be secret.” Honey has a faraway look.
“Which means you know all about it,” Daria snarks.
Honey sticks out her tongue at her. “There are conflicting reports. Some say it’s in a BDSM club downtown.”
“Not at Inferno?” Daria asks.
“No, another place. Club Empire.”
Daria nods.
Angel’s gone quiet. She’s in long sleeves, but she’s rubbing her upper arm, where I know she has a snake tattoo. She usually hides the ink with makeup, but I’ve seen it in the dressing room.
There’s a rap on the door.
“I’ll get it.” Honey hops to her feet. Daria launches out of her chair and dashes to catch up with her.
“Not so fast.” She pushes past Honey and calls, “Who is it?”
The familiar voice of the delivery man announces, “I have a delivery for Bunny.”
“Bunny?” Honey asks.
“It’s okay,” I call. “Let him in.”
They both open the door and accept the package.
It’s a rectangular gift box. Angel helps clear away the candles and knickknacks to make space for it on the coffee table in front of me.
“Open it,” Honey squeals.
Inside the box, a thick cream tissue paper holds the scent of lavender and sandalwood. I draw out a short, white dress—a lacy sheath lined with silk.
“Oh gods,” Angel murmurs.
Honey half shrieks and covers her mouth. She’s thinking this is a wedding dress.
For a second, my heart stops beating.
A cream-colored piece of paper flutters to the floor. Angel catches it and hands it to me.
“For tonight,” it reads. It has to be from Jaeger.
I show them the note.
“Tonight? What’s tonight?” Daria asks.
“Oh,” Honey shrieks again. “I know what it is.”
“What?” we all demand.
“He’s going to take you to Pandemonium.”
Pandemonium. I mouth the word. I’ve heard it before, at Inferno.
“Where’s that?” Daria asks.
“It’s an event, not a place,” Honey explains. She glances at Angel as if for confirmation, but the dancer is conspicuously silent. “This year, it’s at Club Empire. It’s a big private party. Typically a masquerade for the kinkiest elite of New Rome. Rumor has it Senator Nero attends. And Rex Roy.”
“Who’s Rex Roy?” I ask. The name sounds familiar, but I can’t remember where I’ve heard it.
“You don’t know who Rex Roy is?” Honey turns wide eyes to me. “The billionaire?
“Oh, right.” Now I remember. He’s one of the richest men in the nation. I’ve seen him in the newspapers and on TV. “Of course, I know him. He and I had tea with the queen just last Thursday.”