I laughed, unable to stop myself as she held up her champagne.
“To us, bitch, and a year to remember.”
We clinked the remaining glasses and gulped down the fizzy champagne. With each sip, my murky past disappeared farther below the surface. Where it couldn’t hurt me anymore.
“And now, we dance.” Cordelia set her now empty glasses on a random table before grabbing mine and setting them beside hers. Then she tangled her fingers through mine and led me across the sprawling great room and down a short hall. Another room appeared with black and white tile across the floor and a disco ball hanging from the rafters. Unlike the posh sophistication of the foyer, this was the real party. Bodies writhed and danced across the packed dance floor and the quiet tunes were replaced by a banging bass.
We were immediately swept into the wriggling masses. Another server appeared, providing more champagne. I didn’t hesitate to gulp them down as quickly as the first two. The alcohol numbed the pain, numbed the past. I didn’t want to think about that night or any of the countless miserable nights after it. Especially not ofhim... of losing my best friend.
What was it about this place that brought all those dark memories surging to the surface?
“This is great, right?” Cordelia called out, swinging her hips.
“Yes!” I shouted over the music.
A circle of frat guys surrounded us, the scent of expensive cologne filling my nostrils. They all wore identical black suits and masks, just like the guy at the door. Must all be Sigma Delts. One of the males moved in behind me, grinding his already hardening dick against my ass. Warm breath spilled across the shell of my ear as he leaned in closer.
The bubbles had gone straight to my head, and I rubbed up against the stranger, grinding my ass against him. I hadn’t realized how bad I’d needed a release until this very moment. Heat raced below as his hands clamped around my hips.
There was something so freeing about the anonymity.
Across from me, Cordelia wriggled up against another black-masked male. His hands cupped her ass, pressing her body flush against his. Dark eyes peered through the mask and over my head to the dude grinding against me.
“Hey, bro, let’s take these two to the VIP room.”
The guy behind me dipped his mouth to my ear. “Would you like that, baby? It would be more private, and we could get to know each other better.” I barely restrained the urge to laugh at the cheesy line, but I could already see the excitement in Cordelia’s face.
She leaned in close, her eyes bright. “This is it. I’ve never been invited to the VIP room before, but I’ve heard it’s ah-mazing.”
I needed no further convincing. I turned around to face the masked male. “Sure, let’s do it.”
He released me and stopped one of the servers, grabbing four shot glasses from his tray. They were filled with a murky white liquid. Had I not already been buzzing, I would’ve definitely had questions.
But tonight, I just wanted to shut off all the voices. All the logic.
So when he offered me the shot, I tossed it back and swallowed. The liquor burned down the back of my throat, numbing everything in its path.
“Come on, let’s go.” The guy grabbed my hand, and I let him lead me through the tangle of bodies. Behind me, I could just make out the tap-tap of Cordelia’s heels and the heavier footfalls of her masked frat boy.
My head spun as he led us through never-ending corridors. When we finally reached a door, I was breathless and nearly panting. Fuck, was I that out of shape? My escort whipped the door open, and a wave of cold air puckered my flesh. Nothing but inky darkness sprawled before us.
Before the door closed behind us, a deep voice shouted from the hallway. “McKenzie, get your ass over here.”
A frown settled over my masked stranger’s face. “Shit. Hold on a sec. I have to take care of something.”
“Aw, come on, Mac.” The other guy pouted, full lips screwing into a pout.
“Just go without me. I’ll meet you down there in a minute.” He ran his thumb over my bottom lip before darting back into the hallway. “Wait for me, baby.”
“Umhmm,” I murmured as his thumb teased my mouth.
“Watch your step,” said the other guy as he led us down the narrow steps. Cordelia clung onto him like he was a life raft.
We descended the endless staircase, my pulse skyrocketing with each step down. The slow, sultry music returned when we reached the bottom, and thick white smoke poured into the room. Fairy lights and hanging globes lit up the darkness, revealing the decadent furnishings similar to the upper levels. A powdery scent filled my nostrils as another unmistakable sound reached my ears.
Moans.
Cries.
