I twitch my fingers, ignoring the agitated yells from the cars stuck behind Talon. “Oh, I will. Lots. Thanks for the ride, birdie. Muah!” I slam the door and blow another kiss, laughing at his glower.
I know how much he hates my nickname for him, but I can’t stop using it. From the moment I knew his name was Talon and he said like the talon of a bird, I have called him birdie.
Twisting my torso, I wave at him once more. He hits the throttle and does a burnout, sending a cloud of white smoke into the air, obscuring the view of the line of pissed-off drivers behind him.
The sidewalk sparkles under the fluorescent lights of the digital billboard across the street, displaying a preview of the next Hollywood blockbuster. I check my makeup with my phone camera and smack my lips together, making a popping sound. The huge line of club goers wraps around the building like always, and I hear someone complain about the fact that I stroll straight toward Tony the bouncer. Turning toward the girl’s group, I wave them over. It never hurts to show off my pull of power.
“Come on. Tony will let you in with me,” I say, smirking at how excited they become. The more women in the club, the better, according to Daddy. It gets the men to pay and play.
“Stacia! Stacia, look over here. Ladies, you too. Show us how happy you are to be Stacia’s charity case. Give us that red carpet smile.” The flash of a camera sparkles in the side of my vision as one of the club’s most notorious paparazzi snaps a picture of me.
I lift both of my hands and flip him off. “Give us something to fucking smile about, asshole.” He’s so obnoxious but Daddy would never send him away.
“If you don’t want me to show off your charity work, then how about you give me a nice tit shot? It’ll land on the cover of starlight magazine.” The paparazzi snaps another picture. “It’s been a while. Work hard to find?”
This fucking asshole.
Tony grasps my shoulder, drawing my attention to him. He’s more than just a bouncer at the Looking Glass. He’s also one of my dad’s long-term security guards and only takes the shift twice a month. Security is always vamped up when His Majesty’s court is in session. But it’s not what it sounds like. This isn’t like the court in the judiciary branch of the government. This is the Looking Glass Court of the Society of Secrets, one of the most prevalent, exclusive, find out-and-die type of associations. The Looking Glass requires all members to meet at Daddy’s club to discuss business and our Hollywood empire—from who to influence, which political parties to back, what celebrities to bring on board, which businesses to build or destroy, and so much more.
And because of who my dad is and how I followed in his footsteps and attended Dodgson Carroll University, I was invited to participate in the yearly initiation and accepted right before graduation. I’ll be a member until I die. Or until one of the society enforcers like Talon kills me for fucking up. I’ve seen it happen—only once—a few years ago, when I attended my very first meeting with Daddy.
It was enough to scare me into compliance, but now that I’ve immersed myself in the Looking Glass chapter, I realize it’s not all that bad. The man murdered even deserved it for using his influence to sex traffic aspiring actors. It might be acceptable for some bastards, but not with our chapter. Such a scandal could jeopardize our empire.
For me, the perks outweigh the dangerous side of the business and make it easy to not think about the scary shit. I’ve been able to get out of every illegal shortcoming I have faced. Underage drinking. Trespassing. Indecent exposure. Drug use. Shoplifting. Assault on a catcaller... Talon wasn’t wrong about me. I was, and still am, a bit wild. That’s what happens when your mom is a failed actress with a drug problem, constantly absent and in rehab, and your dad owns a massive empire that also entails underground business endeavors among Hollywood’s finest. But she doesn’t know. She’s not a member and never will be. I think the secrets strained my parents’ marriage and also pushed her into spiraling.
“Don’t let him get to you, Cia,” Tony says, shielding me with his hulking body. He waves the girls I took from the line inside, letting the other bouncer check IDs. “He thrives on getting a reaction.” Tony’s older than my father and very loyal. He would knock the paparazzi’s teeth out if I asked him to.
But Daddy likes the attention and free exposure that comes with the paps. So do most of the celebrities that come here. For some, it’s their sole reason, considering they can’t get into VIP and need to get attention. It helps keep them in the ever-moving spotlight.
I smirk and pat Tony’s cheek. Straightening my shoulders, I hold my head high. “Don’t worry. He doesn’t. I was just considering his offer. It’s been a while since—”
“Don’t you even think about it, Cia. I don’t want to have to break his camera again. There’s no way I’ll ever let that bastard put my sweet angel on the front of one of those gross tabloids and all over the internet. I know you think it’s fun now, but if it happens, it’ll stay around forever. I don’t care if you’re twenty-five. You’re like my own kid, and I’m gonna treat you like that. Now get inside. You’re not being added to any mother fucker’s spank bank.” Tony nudges me toward the door.
“I’m sure I’m already there. You know Daddy doesn’t give a shit,” I tease, letting him guide me toward the entrance of the Looking Glass.
“Exactly. Which is why I have to. Have fun tonight and be safe. Make good choices. Don’t think I won’t be watching out for you. Try not to drink so much.” Tony waves me away with his attempt to parent me a bit too late in life because he knows no one else wants to, especially now that I’m an adult. He’s one of those guys that considers his children as his babies until the day he dies, even if they’re seventy years old.
“You’re going to have to let me grow up sometime, Tony.” I grin at him, appreciating his words, despite enjoying teasing him about it. “You know Daddy is already prepping me to take over the business in all its twisted glory.”
Tony tightens his jaw, looking ready to argue with me. Someone shouts my name at the top of their lungs. I recognize Bianca’s voice over the loud, thumping music playing a mix of the current trends at the top of the charts. The club is divided into four sections, each with a different genre of music, drawing in tons of people because there’s so much to choose from and enjoy.
I blow Tony a kiss and rush toward Bianca, spotting her in a mini dress barely long enough to cover her pussy. I’m sure she doesn’t wear any panties either, making it easier for her to fuck whichever hot guy she chooses. Unlike me, she has free range. She doesn’t have every bouncer and security guard trying to interrupt. She also doesn’t have my dad’s reputation hanging over her, creating not only a cock-block but a cock fucking fortress. As soon as anyone finds out that I’m Stacia St. Germaine, heir to the St. Germaine empire, they either immediately back off or try to take as much as they can from me.
So sometimes I use an alias.
But not tonight. Tonight, the VIP is filled with members of our society chapter.
“Bitch, you took fucking forever to get here. I’ve been having to hang out with Cinnamon.” Bianca crinkles her nose, mirroring my own expression at the thought.
Cinnamon is the trophy wife of one of Daddy’s closest friends and business advisors, Jefferson Garnica. She’s younger than we are and still going to college. She was initiated into the Society of Secrets just a few months ago at DCU and married Jefferson soon after.
“All she talks about is Jeffy, the non-existent weather, how boring her classes are, and how she doesn’t get why she has to graduate when she’s already initiated,” Bianca continues, looping her arm through mine.
Cinnamon acts like she’s special because she was chosen to join because of Jefferson’s love of college freshmen instead of being entitled by birth. She comes from wealth with her family’s tech company. Something to do with medical software or some shit. I don’t really know or care. I tune her out.
“That’s exactly why I’m late. I only have time to wave at her now.” I stick my tongue out at Bianca. “Maybe you’ll learn for next time.”
What Cinnamon doesn’t realize is if dear hubby decides he doesn’t want her anymore, our chapter doesn’t allow divorces. With Jefferson’s position on the King’s Court, he could make her life hell and send her away or worse...