Page 87 of Set In Stone

“What did Matteo say?” heasked.

“He said we should look at ClubO.”

Hale’s eyes widened, as if he were comprehending something I didn’t fully understand. He didn’t say a word, but simply took his keys from his pocket and motioned for me to follow him. I didn’t ask where we weregoing.

I alreadyknew.

* * *

The drive to Club O,while it only took twenty-five minutes, seemed to be impossibly long. When we finally arrived and I stepped up to the large double wooden doors, I held my breath. I never thought I’d step foot in this placeagain.

“Is it safe to assume that you’re not a member?” Haleasked.

I blinked, momentarilyconfused.

“What?”

“If you’re not a member, you won’t be able to get in by yourself. I’m on the list here as being security for Mr. Stone. I can get you in if you need meto.”

“Oh, of course,” I said nervously and shook my head. “No, I’m not amember.”

He nodded and opened the door for me. Once inside, we entered the main vestibule and Hale showed the doorman his credentials. After we were cleared, we continued on through, passed by the rock garden, waterfall, and marble statue of Venus. Goosebumps prickled at my nape as a feeling of déjà vu settled overme.

I struggled to relax, my nervous jitters heightening when the vestibule opened up to the cocktail lounge. The setting was just as I remembered it. People were milling about and chatting quietly. Some congregated near the expansive polished mahogany bar. Others relaxed casually on plush chaise lounges. I didn’t see Alexanderanywhere.

“He’s not here,” I said toHale.

Hale’s eyes continued to scan the room before coming to rest on me. He pressed his lips into a tightline.

“You’re right. He’snot.”

“He might be downstairs in the club,” Isuggested.

“Perhaps. I’ll take you down and we can checkthere.”

I followed Hale down the long corridor that led to The Dungeon. The hallway split, revealing a wide staircase to my left. A chill raced down my spine as I looked up the stairs. Alexander had told me that the common room and some of the private suites were up there. My heart began to pound wildly. The first time I came here, I was naïve and inexperienced. Now I knew enough about the lifestyle to knowexactlywhat went on up there. I couldn’t even begin to imagine the possibility of him being in any of those rooms. Watching. Orworse.

Please don’t let him me find himthere.

I began to feel physically ill as I repeated the silent prayer over and over again. To whom I was praying to, I didn’t know, as I was fairly certain that no god ever set foot into this place. My stomach pitched and I shook my head to clear it. Refusing to believe that Alexander would do anything that remotely stupid, I continued to follow Hale until we reached the massive stone gargoyle with the words “The Dungeon” written aboveit.

Hale pushed open the door and motioned for me to go on ahead of him. The loud drum of house music bombarded my ears from all directions. As I began to descend the stairs, I paused. I didn’t know what I would find in the club, I only knew that if Alexander was down there, I would need to talk to himalone.

I turned around to look at Hale and tried to drum up enough courage to display a confidence that I didn’t reallyfeel.

“Actually, I’ve got this. You don’t have to come with me,” I toldhim.

“Are you sure,Miss?”

“Yes. If he’s down there, I need to convince him to leave so that I can speak to him alone, preferably someplace quieter than here. I’m afraid he won’t listen to me if you’rearound.”

He stared at me, seeming torn about whether or not to leave me alone in this place, but then eventuallynodded.

“That’s a fair assumption. I can wait in the car. Just…be careful downthere.”

Apprehension sent a hot flush over my skin. The thought of going downstairs alone caused me to break out in a nervous sweat. Suddenly feeling like I was suffocating in stifling heat, I shrugged out of my jacket and handed it toHale.

“Thanks, Hale. Iwill.”

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