Mr. Chancellor’s favorite toy!
54
KAT
I stomptoward the table and down the cocktail, then catch the waiter walking by, snatch a flute of champagne from his tray, and down it.
Marlow watches me. “Kat, calm down. What just happened?”
“Nothing.”
“Liar. It was obvious you had an intense conversation with Archer, and it didn’t end well. Especially after you just danced like two lovebirds. And everyone was staring.”
“Marlow, stop.”
His phone rings.
Mine does.
Everyone around starts pulling out their phones and covering their mouths in shock.
“What is it?” I ask, noticing fingers pointing at me, stares, chuckles, and whispers that sweep across the party.
“Kat… Shit…” Marlow’s eyes dart from his phone screen to me.
I snatch his phone and look at the screen.
The floor drops from under my feet.
I remember that night.
But the picture? How? When? Why?
“Listen, if it’s any consolation, you look great,” Marlow says.
No, it’s not a consolation. It’s about me being naked in front of the entire party.
I raise my eyes and look around.
Sneers. Cowardly glances. Open stares. Grins.
We don’t talk about that night in Bangkok…
Except, that’s exactly how I feel—exposed.
These might not be sex-trafficking thugs about to get their hands on me. But the stares and glances are penetrating. Bringing flickers of the memories from that night.
My heart pumps like mad, between my ears, everywhere, a wave of heat drowning me.
I close my eyes.
The dim light from a lone lightbulb hanging from the ceiling of a damp basement is too bright.
The three girls next to me are as scared as I am.
All of us are naked.
But I’m the first in line.