Absolute Silence

6

Filip couldn’t possibly be at the club every night, could he? He wanted to wage war? He didn’t know just how inspired I could be. My back was against the wall, and I wasn’t afraid to fight dirty. I fixed my dark brown wig and stepped inside with the borrowed confidence of the stranger I was impersonating for the night. I greeted Beth, pleased when it took a second for recognition to register. As long as I didn’t come face-to-face with Filip, my night should be a grand success. My bright red lips spread in a wide grin. The Saturday night activities were well underway. Expensive suits in place of tuxedos made the atmosphere slightly more casual, but it was just as lively as the night before. No matter what they wore, the members were all remarkably attractive—far more than I would have guessed. Beautiful and seductive and totally inclusive. There was no shame within these walls, only acceptance. I made my way to the bar and ordered a drink without a sign of Filip. “Utterly stunning,” a masculine voice rumbled beside me. “You must be new. There’s no way I ever would have missed such an elegant beauty. Mind if I join you?” A man with eyes the color of a cloudless winter sky smiled down at me. He was beautiful—black hair and a square jaw. Everything about him was stark and imposing and enigmatic. “Please, do. My name’s Camilla.” I gestured to the seat next to mine. He motioned the bartender for a drink and eased into the bar chair. “I’m Cal. Cal Thompson.” “It’s lovely to meet you, Cal.” “Trust me, the pleasure is all mine.” His voice had the most deliciously wicked tone with just the tiniest hint of an accent I couldn’t place. I blushed. “How’s your weekend going?” “Better every minute.” I couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re smooth, aren’t you? As you pointed out, I’m new here, so I’m not sure how all this works. You’ll have to forgive me.” “Are you here alone?” He slipped his fingers beneath mine on the bar, his thumb caressing the back of my hand. “I am.” My voice grew husky while the skin on the back of my neck began to tingle with awareness. “Well, we can have a drink and get to know one another, or if you’d prefer more privacy, I have a room.” Nervous energy suddenly flapped within my chest. I liked my prospects with Cal; he wasn’t the source of my cardiac arrhythmia. Something else was bothering me. Something dangerous. I felt as though someone was watching me. “I think…” I peered over my shoulder at the room distractedly, forgetting what I was saying. “Um…” It only took a second for my eyes to lock with Filip’s. He stood just inside the doors, one hand in a pocket as though he were casually assessing the room, but his glare was anything but casual. He’d pegged me instantly. It didn’t matter that I’d been across the room, my back to him, and a wig in place. He knew exactly who I was and was demanding my withdrawal with his predatory stare. “Your room sounds perfect.” I turned back to Cal, refusing to surrender. His smile widened. He stood and helped me from my chair, keeping my hand secure in his. “This way.” I followed him as he charted our course through the room. There was no chance of Filip letting us pass, but I clung to hope with the desperation of a death row inmate saying his last prayer. Cal pulled up short of the exit, and I knew my night was over. “Thompson, I’m afraid there’s been a misunderstanding.” Filip’s voice was layered with violence and restraint, the two equally potent. The man at my side pulled me in closer, giving my hand a gentle squeeze. “And what’s that, De Luca?” Cal’s spoke with absolute authority. Not a hint of wariness at Filip’s disgruntled confrontation. “She’s off-limits.” “Judging by the way she’s clinging to me for dear life, I’d say the young woman disagrees.” Filip’s jaw clenched so tight he was going to need a dentist. “It’s a family matter, Thompson. You need to back away before we have a big problem.” Cal’s chin lifted just a fraction as he inhaled deeply, then lowered his lips to my ear. “I’m sorry about this, but there are some lines I cannot cross.” He pulled back with a frown, shot daggers at Filip, then left me alone with my tormentor. I didn’t meet Filip’s angry gaze. I didn’t have to. I could feel it boring into me with the intensity of a thousand suns. I was so furious, but I had no idea what to do about my situation. Filip would never leave me in peace— so what were my options? Ask Dante if I could back out of my contract already? Just the thought made me spitting angry. I wasn’t the only one. Filip snagged my hand and yanked me into the hall and around the corner to one of the private rooms. He used a key card from his pocket and ushered me inside. The door crashed shut, sealing us within. 4 FILIP Camilla crossed her arms defiantly over her chest. “You have no right to do this. I’m a member just like everyone else in that room.” The foolish girl should not be stoking my anger. Did she have any idea how close I already was to losing my s**t completely? I hadn’t intended to confront her like this, but seeing her in disguise made me realize Camilla might be more of a challenge than I’d anticipated. I had to shut it down. I had to convince her to let go of this ridiculous charade. “No. You are not just like everyone else, and there’s no way you’re keeping your membership here. I’ll have Dante refund your money and—” “Don’t you dare.” Camilla’s eyes sparked as she jabbed a finger in my direction. My lips pulled back in an acidic smile. “What will you do to stop me? Tell your father?” Even as an adult, Camilla would feel the wrath of Edoardo Genovese if he discovered what his daughter was up to. He was no help to her in this situation, and she had no other leverage over me. Her hands settled on her hips, and she cast me a smile just as biting as my own. “I’ll go somewhere else. To another club where you don’t have any say over who joins.” My fingers flexed and strained with the need to pound my fist against the wall. She might have looked like an angel, but Camilla had a devilish stubborn streak. “You don’t have any idea what you’re saying. I can’t just let you into this lifestyle. Your family would kill me.” “It’s none of their business.”