Tremble

Prologue

Prologue

HIP-HOP MUSIC PULSATED throughout the dark club as Ashley followed Jenny through its crowd of undulating bodies. Both girls were heading toward the bar where Jenny was set on buying her first “s*x on the Beach” using her new fake driver’s license. Both seventeen-year-olds had received them from “Creepy” Curt Hammer before seventh period gym class the day before. Curt could get anything and everything you needed.

For a price.

His price wasn’t yet known to the girls, but his presence at the club tonight would be certain. He’d practically begged them to show.

“Don’t forget to meet me outside of the V.I.P. lounge at Club Nightshade, ten o’clock,” he’d reminded them as they were leaving Jenny’s locker earlier in the day.

Jenny had gushed with excitement. “Are you serious, Curt? How in the hell did you pull that off?”

“Let’s just say that I have friends in high places,” he’d replied with a tight smile.

Nightshade was a brand new club that had opened in Shore Lake. Everyone at school was hyped about it. Tuesdays were officially “Teen Night”, but weekends were supposed to be lit. If you could find a way to get in, you’d have the chance to experience some really intense partying. Now, it was almost ten o’clock as Ashley held onto Jenny’s belt loop, trying not to lose her friend through the tangle of bodies. Before they cleared the packed crowd, however, someone grabbed her by the elbow, forcing her to stop, breaking her connection with Jenny.

“Jenny!” she called to her friend, who was already disappearing through the rowdy crowd.

“Hey, sweet-thing, how about a dance?” a deep voice rasped into her ear.

She turned toward the guy and swallowed.

Scary.

His bald head was covered with skull tattoos and he had a single silver ball pierced just below his bottom lip. His breath reeked of liquor and the smell of pot surrounded him.

She stepped back and swallowed. “Um...no, but thanks, anyway.”

His smile turned cold. “Why not? You think you’re too special or something?”

“No... please... I’m just trying to follow my friend,” she replied anxiously.”

He grunted. “Your loss.”

Very doubtful, she thought, noticing the long, ragged scar under his chin. He was definitely trouble.

Ashley turned around and pushed through the crowd until she reached Jenny, who was already at the bar.

“Oh, there you are. I ordered for you,” she said, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Relieved to find her, Ashley flipped her dark hair over her shoulder, and smiled. “Okay, thanks.”

“What happened to you? I thought I’d lost you there for a minute.”

“Some guy tried asking me to dance.”

Jenny’s eyes lit up. “Was he hot?”

Before Ashley could answer, the guy in question parked himself onto the stool right next to them.

He smirked. “This seat taken?”

Jenny shrugged. “Actually, we aren’t staying, so you can do whatever you want with it.”

He took a swig of his beer. “Bummer. I bet you could use some company.”

“We’re not looking for it,” Jenny replied.

His eyes hardened. “You know, it isn’t safe in a club like this for two little girls such as yourselves. It can be pretty dangerous if you’re not careful.”

The bartender interrupted before either girl could respond. He slid their drinks across the bar and said, “Drinks are on the house. Also, the V.I.P. is upstairs. They’re waiting for you.”

Jenny and Ashley looked at each other and smiled in delight. Not only had they scored big in getting into the nightclub, but they were also guests in the V.I.P. lounge.

It was, a dream come true.

“That guy was such a creeper,” Jenny whispered as he finally took the hint and moved toward another conquest, a bleached blond cougar, sitting alone at the other end of the bar.

Ashley nodded, relieved that he’d moved on. Something had been really off about that guy, making her skin crawl.

Jenny took a sip of her drink and motioned for Ashley to follow her up the stairs. When they reached the top, Curt was standing outside of a private room, looking a little tense.

“Good, you made it,” he said, noticing them.

“Hell yeah we made it.” Jenny took another drink of her cocktail. “We wouldn’t miss this for the world.”

“Glad to hear.” Curt waved her in. “Lead the way, Jenny.”

“Don’t mind if I do.” She stepped through the entrance and disappeared inside.

“Mm...you’re looking hot tonight, Ashley,” Curt said, leering at her.

She shivered as his beady eyes raked over her tight shimmery black dress. “Well, ah...thanks, Curt.”

His eyes stopped at her cleavage. “After you.”

She stepped past him and entered the dimly lit room. Her eyes stopped on Jenny, who was already making herself comfortable on a plush, black leather sectional. They were the only people in the room, which she thought was a little odd. She’d been expecting at least a few others inside.

“It feels like we’re in another world, doesn’t it?” Curt said, behind her. “Like L.A. or New York.”

“Yeah.”

Ashley stared around in amazement. Having never been in any club before, let alone a V.I.P. lounge, she was totally enamored by the place. There were several tall glass tables set up near a large plate window overlooking the dance floor, a video game area, and a long bar in which a totally hot bartender was busy cleaning cocktail glasses. As if sensing her interest, he looked up and flashed a ten-thousand-watt smile, making her blush.

“This place is Gucci,” Jenny declared when they reached her. Her eyes already shining from the alcohol and she was looking comfortable.

“Hell yeah it is. Just like I told you.” Curt frowned as he stared down at a message on his phone. “s**t. That sucks. Something just came up. I have to roll.”

“Okay, well, thanks for everything, Curt,” Ashley replied, relieved he wasn’t staying. He made her anxious and she hated the way he openly stared at her body.

He put his phone away. “You bet.”

“So, is there going to be a party here or something?” Jenny asked. “I mean, we’re not going to be the only ones in the V.I.P. lounge, right?”

He smirked. “Oh, you could say there’s going to be a party. In fact, you two girls are the honored guests.”

Jenny raised her eyebrows. “Seriously? That’s kind of weird, though, isn’t it? I mean, we’ve never even been here before tonight.”

Curt began walking toward the exit. “That’s okay. You’re young, hot, and tasty. It’s all good.”

“He’s so weird,” Ashley said in a low voice.

“That’s why he’s Creepy Curt. Let’s not tell anyone we saw him tonight.”

“Oh, for sure I’m not saying anything.”

A song Ashley loved started playing in the club. “I think we should go back downstairs where everyone else is. I mean, wasn’t the point of coming here? To dance and meet guys?”

Before Jenny could respond, the door opened and a dark-haired guy wearing a long, black leather coat entered the lounge.

Both girls stood up.

He smiled at them. “Ladies, welcome to Club Nightshade.”

Ashley could hardly breathe. The guy was tall with broad shoulders, crystal blue eyes, and a sexy smile. He reminded her of a male model she’d seen on i********:. As he stared into her eyes, she suddenly felt hot and bothered.

“Thanks,” she answered, breathlessly.

Jenny was also mesmerized by the stranger’s hypnotic stare and felt flustered. “Yeah, thanks. Uh, who are you?”

His took off his jacket and set it down on a nearby chair. “The name is Ethan. I’ll be your host tonight. So, what do you say? Should we get this party started?”

“Yes!” both girls replied in unison.