Page 11 of Beautiful Sinner

I sigh and stare up at the ceiling, knowing I won’t be getting much sleep tonight. There’s too much brewing in the air.

I hate to admit it but I want to see Matteo again. Just to talk to him. Just to feel the flutter of excitement I felt when I talked to him the first time. Never had I felt more alive than in that very moment we were in the hallway together.

But I wouldn’t even know where he is. So it’s a moot point, one I need to push from my mind.

But I just… can’t.

Even if I can’t find Matteo, I want to live a little. I want to feel that thrill and that excitement. I’ve never broken the rules before. Never even dreamed of it.

But that one moment with Matteo has me wanting to break all of the rules.

I slip out of bed and tiptoe to Viktor’s office. Surely he must have information on the whereabouts of Dante and Erik – businesses they own. Matteo might frequent places like that.

After digging around in his office, my heart pounding the entire time, hoping he doesn’t catch me, I finally find a list of businesses Dante owns. A lot of them are nightclubs.

I’ve never been to a nightclub before. Viktor would lose his head if I went to a place like that.

But right now, the thought of going to a nightclub sounds exciting. Even if Matteo isn’t there, I can still have fun. I just need to feel that thrill again. I need to live a little now that I’m an adult. I can’t stay in my brother’s house forever.

I write down one of the addresses and change into a simple black dress that’s elegant but still sexy. Now the question is: how do I sneak past the guards out front? If I try to drive away, they’ll only tell Viktor.

Which means I can’t use one of the cars. I’ll have to walk and use the subway to get there.

I know the routine of his guards very well, having spent time watching them without anything else to do. I know when they aren’t in certain places at certain times. I wait by the back door until I know there won’t be a guard around. The second I have a minute, I run from the house and go to the back gate. I only have a few seconds to get the lock open before a guard passes by.

My fingers fumble as I push at the lock until it snaps open and I can push the door, sneaking off the grounds. I walk as quietlyas I can in my short kitten heels. It’s not until I’m down the street that I realize I made it out. No one will even know I’m gone.

I use the subway to get to the nightclub. Riding the subway is not something I’m used to as personal drivers and black sedans are more my lifestyle. Well, they’re my brother’s lifestyle. I just followed along.

Being on the subway is more exciting than I thought it would be. Two men end up in a fistfight. A woman ends up throwing up, who’s clearly drunk. And a young man sings his heart out, looking for tips. I pass him a few dollars on my way out.

The nightclub has a long line out front, even though it’s already midnight. I guess clubs get more popular as the night goes on. I wouldn’t know. I’m already learning so much.

I stand in line with everyone else. When I reach the front after waiting thirty minutes, I’m scared to pull my ID out. What if they don’t let me in because of who I am?

But when I show the bouncer my ID, he waves me inside without a second glance. In a place like this, I don’t have to be Julia Smirnov, sister of Viktor Smirnov. I can just be Julia.

The club is packed with people, making it hard for me to breathe. I’m not used to being around this many people, especially drunk dancing people.

The music is so loud, I can feel it all over my body. Instantly, I regret coming here. What was I even thinking going to one of Dante’s clubs? I could be hurt. I could be used against my brother.

I need to leave.

But when I start to head back to the exit, I’m blocked by so many people. I try to wedge my way through but it’s like walking through cement: next to impossible.

Instead, I head for the bathrooms. The women’s bathroom is covered in graffiti and toilet paper. It’s honestly disgusting in here.

With a gasp, I quickly leave the restroom and head back into the main part of the club. I need to get out of here. I need to get out of here. I need to get –

“Hello,” a man says, sidling up beside me. He has reddish brown hair and a glint to his eyes that instantly puts me on edge. “I’m Connor.”

“Hi.”

“I noticed you were looking a little worried. Did something happen?”

“I just need to leave.”

“I have a private booth upstairs.” He points to the second floor balcony. “It’s quieter up there. Why don’t you join me?” When I hesitate, he flashes me what I’m assuming is supposed to be a charming smile. “There’s multiple people up there. You won’t be alone. Come on. It’s a good way to take a breath from all of this madness.”

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