But if this is a test, I know how to pass. “I have a big one, all you need to do is ask for it.”
And she’s back, her laughter is my favourite sound. It settles the darkness of this conversation, putting it away. Once it fades, I see the appreciation in her eyes.
“That is not going to happen.” She smiles at me, and I return it with a wink. “Now, are we going to the club or what?
22
Lilly
I’vedecidedtodayisgoing to be a good day. It may have started off traumatic and heavy, but after the conversation with Ren, I feel a little lighter. It’s hard to explain why, but there is an understanding between us now. He knows more than anyone about my time with Sergei and true to his word he hasn’t treated me any different.
The only nagging thing that keeps floating through my mind is his time with my brother and what was said. But that is for another day because today is all about fun. And seeing Ria again for the first time in forever.
“Oh.” I turn to him in the car. “I forgot to tell you, Ria is meeting me at your club tonight.”
He looks back at me with another to die for smile. “You called her?”
“I did,” I say, proudly.
“How did it go?”
Argh, I hate that he’s so nice. No, I don’t, but it would help if he were a douche.
“Okay. It went better than I thought.” Apart from the sad goodbye which will eventually follow.
“That’s good, right?” His brow creases as he makes a familiar left-hand turn onto a lively street in Surrey Hills. “You don’t sound too excited about it?”
“I am. Of course, I am. It’s just…” Going to make it hard again when I leave, but I’m not going there again today, so instead I smile back at him. “It’s just nothing. I am excited.”
“Me too, I’m looking forward to meeting her.” He turns into a small alley and into a back private carpark.
“We’re here?”
“We are.” He cuts the engine and jumps out of the car, walking around to my side and opening the door for me.
“Thank you.” I smile, practically bouncing with excitement.
Ren motions to the back entrance of the club, where there's a security guard standing at the door. But I decide against it, and turn, walking towards the alley we just came from. He grabs my hand, his strong fingers intertwining with mine.
“This way.” He nods back to the club, but I shake my head.
“I wanna see the front.” It’s all about street appeal and I want the full effect when I walk in.
He doesn’t argue, just locks his car with his key fob and walks me around the alley and onto the street. My breath is taken away by the front of the club. The entire building is black, from the floor to the windows and the brickwork. With a colossal red neon sign that simply says ‘Sin’.
“Sin?” I look back at him, taking him in, head to toe, a smirk tugging at the corner of my mouth. “It fits perfectly.”
“I thought so.” Ren's smile grows predatory and dangerous, the kind that should be considered a sin of its own.
He leads me toward the entrance, and a different big muscled security guard opens the double doors for us.
As we step inside, my jaw drops. It's incredible. The whole place oozes sex and seduction. The club spans over three levels, with the main dance floor in the middle and different sections overlooking it. There are two long bars on either side of the room and several private booths along the walls. It’s so much bigger on the inside than it looks from the street. The setup is impressive, and everything screams glamour and luxury.
“Mr. Vitali, I’m glad you’re here.” A man pops up out of nowhere, he’s dressed in a suit, short light brown hair and dark-rimmed reading glasses.
“Winston.” Ren acknowledges him with a nod. “This is Lilly, my fiancé.”
Ren doesn’t hide his smirk from me, but poor Winston, his mouth drops open. Then he shuts it almost immediately and clears his throat.