Page 108 of Masked Sins
I will respect you wholly and completely, and I expect the same respect from you.
You will be on time for any play—always.
You will kneel for me before every scene.
There are three more pages of rules—and my head begins to spin. He’s nothing if not thorough.
I sign and date it after that, folding the papers once so that they fit into my purse.
After taking a quick shower, I pull the dress on and move the top half of my long hair away from my face. I forgo most makeup, instead putting my contacts in and adding cream blush to my cheeks, a quick swipe of mascara, and cherry-red lip gloss.
It’s only eight o’clock, so I decide to leave for Inferno early. Taking advantage of their one-drink rule seems like a good way to calm my nerves. When I exit my bedroom and walk through the apartment, I realize Orion still isn’t back.
It doesn’t matter. You’re not trying to impress him tonight.
I quickly pull my phone out and send him a text.
Going out tonight. I’ll be back later. Don’t wait up.
I glance down at the screen as I take the elevator down to the ground floor, but he hasn’t even read it by the time I get to street level.
I’d debated opening the belated birthday present he’d gotten me, but something told me to wait. I’d brought it with me to his apartment, so I had it with me just in case.
Turning my phone on silent, I walk the three blocks to Inferno. It’s still hot, but since it’s dark out now, it’s cooled down significantly. The warm air tickles my skin, but it doesn’t feel oppressive like it did before. When I arrive at the front door, I take a deep breath and walk inside.
Like last time, a woman sits behind a desk, wearing a business casual outfit and typing on a computer. I pause by the door, my heart pounding in my chest, but she looks up at me and smiles.
“Hello, Ms. Rivers.”
I open and close my mouth. “I’m here to see…” I’m unsure of what to call him.Starboy? The masked man?I don’t know his name, so I rack my brain.
“I know. He’s already here and waiting for you in the hypnosis room. Please feel free to grab a drink beforehand.” She stands and opens the wardrobe doors. “Have fun,” she adds, smiling.
Hypnosis room?
“Thank you.”
I step between the coats, walking through a doorway and into the bar area of Inferno.
He’s here. He’s already waiting for me.
My skin pebbles as I walk up to the bar. A bartender is making drinks, and I give him a small smile.
“Can I get some tequila, please?”
“Of course you can,” he says, eyes friendly and sparkling as he pours someone else a fancy-looking drink. “How’s your night been so far?”
I blow out an anxious breath of air. “Oh, that’s a loaded question.”
He laughs. “I’m Mark.”
“I’m Layla,” I tell him, shaking his warm hand.
His eyes go wide. “Chase Ravage’s stepsister, Layla?”
“You know Chase?” I ask, leaning forward.
He huffs a laugh. “Unfortunately for me. The guy’s a pain in my ass, but he is my brother-in-law. I’m Juliet’s brother’s husband.”
