Page 6 of Vendetta

Chapter 4

Rosalina

The Ruby Room was just as popular as Claudia said it would be. The line at the door wound all the way around the block, but she linked her arm through mine, and we strutted up to the front.

Scarlet lights raced up the sides of a solid obsidian building, bathing us both in a vermilion glow. The only visible windows crowned the top floor like ebony diamonds.

The combination of Claudia’s silky blond hair and slinky red dress beside my olive skin, sleek espresso hair, and exotic blue eyes—gifted to me by my absentee mother—made us a stunning pair. The bouncer took one look and ushered us inside without a wait. That didn’t always work, but it was worth the gamble. When it did, it was usually because they recognized who our families were, but sometimes it was just because there was always room for girls in skimpy clothes at places like this.

She laughed as the bouncer unclipped the velvet rope, and we walked through the doors. I returned her smile. This was going to be a good night.

The music throbbed against our skin as we made our way to the bar to grab a pair of tequila shots. Then we headed to the dance floor. Warmth coursed through my veins as the alcohol started to work, and Claudia and I swayed with the sea of bodies.

The heat from the dancers, the vibration of sound pulsing in the air, and the heady scent of muted pheromones under the suppressant misters were euphoric. I was determined to let go of my anger and have a good time. I didn’t hate it here, but I did hate the memories and being my father’s prisoner.

Two more shots and an hour later, Claudia and I were grinding against each other, giggling and pointing out the hottest guys in the room when a server shimmied through the crush. She handed us both another of what we’d been drinking and motioned upward to the balcony overlooking the crowd.

It was dark and shrouded in shadow, but the silhouette of a broad-shouldered man was easy to pick out. I saluted him with my drink and tipped it back with a smile. I was going to have to find out who that was.

We dropped our glasses off at the bar and continued to dance. Sweat trickled between my breasts as more people gathered, but I didn’t care. I just hoped my scent-blockers held. An omega couldn’t be too careful about that. No one wanted to risk stumbling over a scent-match in some random club. Tonight was about having fun, and it might be my last chance for a long time.

Strong hands slid over my hips, and hard thighs pressed against my ass. A dark growl rumbled in my ear, accompanied by a subtle scent that made my mouth water. Sandalwood and something sweet masking the rest, but then his pheromones were lost in the swirl of scent-dampening mist and the other dancers.

“The owner would like to meet you if you’re free.” The man’s hand left my hip to gently cup my face and turn it in the direction of the balcony where a silhouette stood, still as a statue.

Claudia was dancing with two tall, dark, and sexies a couple feet away, and I tapped her shoulder to get her attention. I pointed up to the mezzanine and said into her ear, “Don’t wait up.”

She gave me a thumbs-up and continued to dance, sandwiched between the pair of guys who looked like twins, or at least brothers. She might be in for a good time tonight, too.

The guy who spoke to me offered his hand, and I took it. In the dark of the club, I couldn’t make out his features, but he was big, even for an alpha. The flashing strobes and the alcohol were a bad combination, and my eyes had trouble focusing in the intermittent darkness. Even if it were brighter, he’d turned his face away before I’d had a chance to get a better look.

I didn’t have time to question the wisdom of my decision because the bouncer was already guiding me through the sea of undulating bodies.

A pair of burly men in suits nodded a greeting to my guide as we passed through a set of velvet ropes, up a flight of stairs through the VIP lounge, and then past two more well-dressed guards. Armed, if I wasn’t mistaken. I was used to guys with guns, but it seemed like overkill even for the VIP section.

Who was this guy?

When we got to the balcony, my escort left me standing next to a blood-red curtain without a word. I assumed I was expected to go through it, but butterflies rioted in my stomach, making me pause.

This was crazy. What was I doing meeting a stranger in the private area of a club?

Fuck it, you only live once.

I pushed the fabric aside and stepped through.

There was no one standing at the railing, which was where I’d seen the shadowy figure earlier. As I went to look for him, his warmth settled behind me, trapping me against the banister.

His voice was a silky purr in my ear.

“Hello, bella.”

Goosebumps raced down my arms, even in the sweltering heat.

I turned my head in his direction, but in the darkness, only the sharp plane of his jaw was clear. His scent was dangerously alpha, and it drew me in despite my better judgment. I knew the dangers of getting involved with alphas; they could turn a casual fling into a more permanent arrangement with only a bite, but something about him kept me wanting. His touch was mesmerizing, and my heart ached for the warmth of his hands. His pheromones scrambled every rational thought. He smelled of expensive cologne, or an alpha on scent-blockers, but even still, it poured down my throat like a newfound addiction. I filled my lungs with his dark, clove essence and was lost.

Oh God…this was the best high I’d ever had.

The lights flashed, and his plush lips curled up in smug satisfaction.