Off we went on this grand adventure. The club in question was named Lunar—simple enough, if misleading. You’d think with that name it would be a boat or a restaurant, not a low-end borderline brothel. Victor apparently was bored with the VIP service in high-end hotels if he was visiting a place like this. Or he was afraid someone would recognize the girl? Could be any number of things.
It took us nearly a solid hour to get there, as Lunar was on the far end of the city. The atmosphere was taut, all of us silently worried about how the altercation would go down tonight. After Tremon’s report, I’d sent him back immediately to stay on top of Gillespie. He had my authority to interfere and rescue the girl if things got too far before we arrived. I didn’t want her impregnated again, willing or no.
Without any fanfare, we arrived. Light poured out of every window, as well as raucous laughter and music. Three people stood at the door—a “hostess” in a skimpy black dress to take our door fee and two beefy security guards. The smell of the place hit first as I exited the carriage: the distinct mixture of sweat, sex, alcohol, and vomit. Lovely. I’d need a thorough bath later tonight to get the foul stench off my hair and skin.
Ooh, perhaps Edwin would join me in the bath. Better plan.
Helena took my hand to balance herself as she stepped down, nose already wrinkling. She took one look at the place and muttered, “My opinion of my brother was already low to begin with, but I do believe it’s hit rock bottom. Perhaps seeping through the cracks.”
“I must say, I can’t blame you.” I offered a hand to Edwin next, and this time he didn’t give me a droll look. Instead, he smiled before taking my hand and stepping down.
Edwin had already figured out my love language was acts of service. He now indulged me, and I appreciated it beyond words. He was a sweetheart, my Edwin.
With our guards included, it came to a hefty fee at the door, but I paid it without much care. I just had to get in.
Inside, we encountered a wide hallway that splintered off in different directions. I had no idea where to go.
“We’ll split up,” Captain Rowan ordered. “Temperance, with me. We’ll go left. Collins, Pedan, you go right.”
“We’ll go straight,” I declared.
We all moved rapidly. Not knowing the status of things made me very nervous. The large hallway opened up into a larger tiered room, with a balcony wrapping around the second story, and the main floor was a, uh…
“I think I’m too young to be seeing this,” Edwin muttered behind me.
He was a whopping thirty, three years older than me, so I snorted. But also winced. Technically, I was a decade older, after all. “Helena, hang on to me and don’t look.”
“I don’t want to look,” she assured me, eyes already covered with a hand. “How do you even have an orgy with that many people?”
“Determination? Or they’re drunk. Or high. Or whatever.”
I refused to wade through the middle. I’d get pulled into the orgy, and the image alone sent a full-body shudder through me. No, thank you. Instead, we skirted the sides, found a staircase off to the left leading up to the balcony level, and immediately ascended.
The second level had its own hallway and rooms, and I rapidly walked down it, wanting out of this place sooner rather than later.
From around a corner, Tremon appeared without warning, spied us, and just about melted in relief. “Sir! You need to come quickly.”
Forget walking, I switched to a jog. “She in there already?”
“As of about fifteen minutes ago. Ten minutes ago, she still had clothes on, but they called for wine and snacks, and I think she’s rapidly getting too drunk to make good decisions. I was about to bust in and get her myself when I saw you pull up.”
“Then we’re in time. Good. Show us to the room.”
Tremon led us the short distance, which was thankfully only one hallway and a few rooms away. No guards waited outside the door. I felt like shaking my head, because Victor was just that stupid and predictable. Of course he refused to have guards with him. Then again, he was supposed to be under voluntary house arrest. Ha.
“Tremon, the knights are searching the rest of the building. Go fetch them.”
“Sir.” Tremon turned and left at a dead run.
I didn’t knock or announce myself, I just barged right in.
Thank Vuheia I did.
The room was decadent, with a huge heart-shaped mattress, thick velvet curtains, and a sofa set off to the side. In the center of the bed lay an entwined Victor and Lady Julia, both down to their undergarments. In fact, they were too entranced with kissing to even realize I’d entered.
Then Helena opened her mouth with the same volume as an enraged opera singer. “Victor, you fucking asshole!”
Which rather announced our presence.
