Total pages in book: 177
Estimated words: 178117 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 891(@200wpm)___ 712(@250wpm)___ 594(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 178117 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 891(@200wpm)___ 712(@250wpm)___ 594(@300wpm)
“Wow, thanks, Pen!” Crystal says as she takes one. “That’s so nice of you.”
“I just wanted to do something to make it up to y’all. You know, for disappearing on you so much.” I look over my shoulder at Felix who just sits there, staring at me. “And for him being an asshole to you, Kayla.”
She smiles at me. “It’s not your fault. I totally blame him.” She throws him some shade. “We should meet up at a club later. Maybe we can get rid of him there.”
“Oh yes!” Calvin exclaims. “I know just the place downtown. Delectable. It’s like a drag bar.”
“Perfect,” Kayla responds.
“That’s an exclusive one,” Jeremy responds. “No way we’ll get inside without tickets. And I don’t know anyone on the inside.”
“Well, we can try,” Crystal says.
“I know a better place,” Felix suddenly interjects, and everyone looks at him like they can’t believe he’s about to suggest something. “Club RIVERA.”
Kayla’s jaw drops. “What? But that’s—”
“My father’s,” he fills in, tilting his head. “And very much exclusive … unless you know someone on the inside.”
I frown.
Why would he suggest that?
Though, being there would probably be one of the safest locations, far away from Phantom hands, and it would make it easier to stay on the lookout for Kai.
“Wait … are you seriously suggesting we go to your dad’s club?” Calvin asks, his jaw almost on the ground. “Holy shit.”
“Calvin, you cannot be serious right now,” Jeremy says, rolling his eyes. “Really? You’re simping over a RIVERA club?”
“What? They’ve got the best snacks, and I don’t just mean the food.” He licks his lips. “I need to see that shit for myself.”
“Sellout,” Jeremy mutters under his breath.
“Like you don’t want to see some hung horse dancing on stage,” Calvin rebukes.
“Wait, is this real? Are you trying to invite us?” Kayla asks, pointing at all of us while gawking at Felix. “Your sworn enemies?”
“You’re not my enemies,” he retorts. “Or you would’ve known, trust me.”
Kayla rolls her eyes. “Thanks. That totally makes me feel better.”
“Why not give it a chance?” Crystal asks. “It can’t be that bad if it’s like the most exclusive club in town. Besides, we need to celebrate after you aced that last test.” She bumps into Kayla and wraps her arms around her neck. “C’mon, Kay. Can we go? Please?”
Kayla sighs out loud. “Okay, okay.”
Crystal cheers and plants a kiss on Kayla’s cheek. “We deserve a night out.”
I eye Felix. I don’t know why he’s doing this. It almost feels like he’s got an ulterior motive.
But I don’t want to disappoint my friends.
So with a smirk on my face, I say, “All right … if Mr. Rivera personally invited us, I guess it’s time we paid that club a visit.”
PENELOPE
That night
I sit down at a circular table with my friends, enjoying the very racy show in front of us. A girl twirls around the pole in a scantily-clad bikini as the music blasts through the roof of this posh place. The front end of the club was filled with people dancing, but we’re in a secluded backroom meant only for VIP customers.
Lucky for us, Felix’s father owns the place, so he got us all into the special section with private dancers and lots of expensive liquor.
And even though I’m enjoying the show, I can’t help but glance at all three of them as they walk into the room. Felix’s tight, pitch-black long-sleeve shirt barely covers his muscles, and the gray jeans he’s sporting underneath are probably worth more than the watch on his wrist. Dylan casually drapes his jacket over his shoulder, looking fine as fuck with that tousled, platinum-blond hair and a black necklace dangling from his neck over that expensive white shirt of his. Alistair’s donning that same fishnet outfit on top of a black shirt I saw on the bonfire night, and I have to admit it looks very good on his lean muscles.
They all look damn good, and it makes me swallow away the lump in my throat.
Dylan sees me looking, and I swiftly look away, but he still makes his way to our table.
“Pen,” Kayla says, nudging me. “Your boy’s coming over.”
“He’s not my boy,” I hiss back.
“Who’s not your boy?” Dylan asks, raising a brow.
My cheeks flush. “Doesn’t matter.”
Dylan leans over the couch we’re all sitting on, and Calvin chuckles so loudly that Jeremy actually has to jab him with his elbow.
“I can be your boy if you want me to.”
Kayla’s jaw drops, and Crystal actually mutters, “Oh my God.”
“Dylan,” I hiss, “stop embarrassing me.”
“You think I’m embarrassing you?” he muses as he leans forward and curls my necklace around his finger, slowly pulling at it until I’m forced to lean in too. “I can make it far more shameful right here, right now …” He pulls me in until he’s so close to my ear I can feel his breath on my skin. “I could lick you on this couch and make you come so hard you’d be begging to God and screaming my name in front of all your friends.”