“We lost him a few years ago,” he says like the words are being dragged up from somewhere buried.
Something inside me clenches. The pain of that kind of loss, the kind that shifts your entire world, I can’t even imagine. Before I can second-guess myself, I move toward him, wrapping my arms around his torso. He stiffens for a half-second, surprised maybe, but then his hands settle on my back, holding me there.
“I’m so sorry, Calvin,” I whisper against his chest. “How did it happen?”
He pulls back just enough to tilt my chin up, his touch so gentle it nearly breaks me. “I’ll tell you another day.”
I nod, and even though I step back, there’s a part of me that wants to stay wrapped in that moment forever.
“Ready?” he asks, extending his arm.
This time, I don’t hesitate. I slide mine through his, letting him lead me.
When we reach the underground garage, a sleek, jet-black sports car is waiting, low, fast, and definitely expensive. Calvin opens the passenger door with an effortless kind ofcool, and I sink into the leather seat, the interior cocooning me in luxury.
He climbs in beside me, adjusts his seat, and starts the engine. A low, delicious rumble fills the space. Then music kicks in, smooth R&B, something dark and sultry pulsing through the car like a second heartbeat.
We ease onto the road, and the city lights blur into a warm glow. The ride is surprisingly easy, comfortable in a way that feels… familiar. Like this is something we’ve always done.
I catch myself bobbing along to the beat, mouthing the lyrics under my breath. It’s stupid, but I feel good. Light.
“Where are we going?” I ask when we’ve been driving for close to twenty minutes.
“You’ll see, nosy,” he says with a laugh, that deep, rich sound that makes my stomach flutter. I want to hear it again. And again.
We drive a few more miles, the city lights growing distant behind us, until we reach a building with no name or sign. Just a tall, black gate and two stone-faced security guards standing under a soft pool of light.
Calvin rolls down the window and pulls a sleek black card from his wallet. It gleams under the lights as he hands it over.
“She’s my guest,” he says simply.
The guard nods once, scanning the card with a small handheld device. Then he leans forward, handing Calvin a second item, a slim velvet box.
“Enjoy your night, sir.”
No questions or hesitation, But that quiet exchange feels like it unlocked something forbidden.
Calvin drives forward, following a winding path that leads to an underground garage. Once he parks, he turns to me, eyes glittering in the dim light.
“Give me your hand.”
Without thinking, I offer it to him. He opens the box, revealing a thin black wristband with a gold clasp. It looks more like a piece of jewelry than anything functional. He fastens it around my wrist with care, brushing his thumb over the inside of my arm when he’s done.
“This gives you entry,” he says.
“Entry where?” I whisper, adrenaline mingling with unease.
He doesn’t answer. Instead, he steps out, walking around to open my door. I take his hand and slide out of the car, heels clicking on polished stone.
“A gentleman’s club,” he says at last, lips curved into a smirk.
“A what now?” I blink, trying to piece together what kind of gentleman’s club requires encrypted cards and velvet wristbands.
“You’ll see soon enough.”
We approach another door, this one framed in black steel, with no handle. Just another scanner. He flashes his card again. Then, before I can even process it, he lifts my wrist, presenting the band for scanning. It beeps softly.
The door opens with a whisper.
