Absolute Silence

3

A one-way mirror was intriguing. The ability to watch others while I remained safely tucked away had an appeal, but I wasn’t shelling out any more money than a basic membership. It had been hard enough to discreetly pull out the money from my trust fund without drawing questions from my father. “Are these rooms sanitized regularly by the club?” “Absolutely. The key card registers usage, and the next morning, all rooms occupied the night before are given a thorough cleaning as well as the main gathering spaces. If sanitization is of concern to you, I assure you, our hygiene standards are exemplary.” “That’s good to know.” Dante smiled warmly. “If you don’t have any questions or concerns, I’ll show you upstairs to our specialty rooms.” He escorted me back to the elevator. “May I ask how you heard about us? Perhaps you’re friends with one of our members?” “Actually, I don’t know anyone here. I’d been thinking about this for a while, did some research, and decided The Lion’s Den might suit my needs.” “The waitlist for single men is a mile long, but we don’t get many single women joining on their own. We often see couples in open relationships or a woman drawn to join from a close friend. I appreciate that you have the confidence to seek out your own pleasure.” I huffed out a laugh. “I’m not so sure about confidence. Honestly, I’ve never been so terrified in my life.” Dante placed a comforting hand on my arm. “You’ll be just fine, I promise. You never have to do anything you don’t want to, understand? This place is for your pleasure and pleasure alone. Sometimes that involves a little pain, but only if you desire it. If anything makes you uncomfortable, you tell me immediately. Deal?” A genuine smile lit my face. I could do this. I could actually do this. Dante finished my tour with a quick stop on the third floor. One room for intricate b*****e activities and another for orgies, each with a specific theme. I doubted I’d spend much time up there, but then again, I never would have thought I’d join a s*x club. Who knew where life would take me in a year? “I appreciate your reassurance. You’ve done your job admirably,” I told him as we walked back to the elevator. “I think I’m ready to sign.” “That’s excellent news. We can head down to my office for the final paperwork, then you’re free to explore and play or head home, whichever you prefer.” “Lead the way.” My grin was a maniacal mix of excitement and hysteria. I couldn’t believe I was going through with it. My palms began to sweat and itch, and my heart attempted to pound its way out of my chest. The resulting shift in blood pressure made my head fuzzy. “Will you be participating tonight, or do you keep things strictly professional?” Sweet Mother of God, did I really just ask him that? I sounded like I was throwing myself at the guy, and I hadn’t even signed yet. If I could have, I would have banged my head against the mirrored elevator wall. I was so anxious about signing, I’d blurted the question out of curiosity without fully considering how it would sound. Dante smirked. “I’ve been known to participate on occasion.” Thankfully, he left it at that, and I kept my mouth shut for fear that something else idiotic might slip out. He showed me to his office, where I signed my name in blue ink on a crisp membership contract with The Lion’s Den. Liquid elation coursed through my veins. “So, what will it be, Camilla? Are you heading back upstairs?” Dante peered at me with a sultry curiosity and unabashed amusement. I lifted my chin defiantly. “I think I will if you’ll show me back to the elevator.” Dante grinned, illuminating the hint of two faint dimples in his cheeks. Lord have mercy. “I’ll happily escort you back upstairs. If you’re interested, I can introduce you to some of the members I think you might enjoy meeting.” “Thank you, I’d appreciate that.” Please God, don’t let him notice how breathy I just sounded. “Before we go, I want you to take my card. If for any reason you need me, it’s got my cell number on the back.” He extended the small rectangle between his two fingers. Questions raced through my mind. Was he coming on to me after my awkward question? Was he interested in s*x, or was he just being polite? How could I tell the difference in a s*x club? I had no clue, so I slipped the card inside my clutch and smiled. When we stepped back on the elevator, anticipation flushed my cheeks and made my head spin. The maelstrom of emotions swirled together in one giant tornado of excitement. The vortex built higher and higher as the elevator rose until the doors opened and the presence of a familiar face scattered that energy to the four corners of the earth, leaving a vacuous desperation in its wake. Filip De Luca, the vision of pure temptation in a tux, stood in the hallway opposite us. Our gazes locked the instant the doors opened. His blistering stare assaulted me with a dozen curses without saying a word. I’d had no expectations for how the night would go but had I walked myself through hundreds, if not thousands of possibilities… Filip hadn’t existed in a single one of them. His brother, Matteo, was my cousin’s husband. He was mafia. An associate of my father’s and the very worst-case scenario for me. I knew there was a chance I’d see someone I recognized, but someone so closely associated with my family was disastrous. He’d find a way to ensure I was never allowed out of my apartment again. My leaden gut sank to the floor. No. He can’t take this from me. I won’t let him.