Chapter 3

The Uber stopped in front of a massive black door.

Adelynn pushed herself out of the car. The stilettos pinched her toes. The freezing Manhattan wind hit her bare shoulders. The skin on her arms broke out in goosebumps. She pulled her arms tightly across her chest.

She looked at the building. There was no sign. Just two massive men in black suits standing by the door.

"This place looks like a high-end money laundering front."

Kindra slapped a hand over Adelynn's mouth. She looked around with wide eyes.

"Shut up."

Adelynn walked toward the back of the long line on the sidewalk. Kindra grabbed her elbow and pulled her toward the VIP entrance.

The bouncer's eyes dragged over Adelynn, assessing her worth and finding it lacking. He held up a thick arm.

"Invitation or membership."

Kindra stuttered. "My boyfriend. Gilbert."

The bouncer didn't even look at his tablet. "Everyone's boyfriend is Gilbert tonight. Back of the line."

Adelynn felt her stomach turn. She hated that look. She turned around to walk away.

Just then, the heavy black doors pushed open. A man in a tailored charcoal suit walked out.

Kindra squealed. She threw herself into his arms.

Gilbert caught her. He smiled. Then he looked over Kindra's shoulder. His eyes locked onto Adelynn.

Gilbert's smile faded slightly. A deep crease formed between his eyebrows. He stared at her face. He tilted his head, a look of pure confusion crossing his features.

Adelynn crossed her arms over her chest. She glared back at him.

Gilbert blinked. He forced a perfect, polite smile onto his face. He held out his hand.

"I'm Gilbert."

Adelynn stared at his hand. She reached out and tapped his fingers with hers before pulling away. Her skin was freezing.

Gilbert didn't react to her rudeness. He turned to the bouncer and nodded.

The bouncer stepped aside. The heavy doors opened all the way.

A wall of heavy bass and hot air hit Adelynn in the face. The smell of expensive cologne and sweat made her throat close up.

She took a step back. Her stomach rolled. She was starving, but the smell made her want to throw up.

Kindra held Gilbert's arm and walked inside. Adelynn followed them.

They walked down a dark hallway. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling. The bright light stabbed at Adelynn's eyes. She calculated how many months of rent one of those crystals could pay for.

Gilbert looked back at her. He slowed his pace.

"Is it too loud for you?"

"The noise is perfect for covering up the sound of capitalists sucking blood."

Kindra let out a loud, fake laugh. She squeezed Gilbert's arm.

Gilbert didn't get angry. A low laugh rumbled in his chest.

"That's a new metaphor."

Adelynn stared at him. She decided he was insane.

They walked into the main room. Hundreds of bodies jumped and pushed against each other. The air was thick.

A waiter rushed past them with a tray of drinks. His shoulder slammed into Adelynn's back.

Adelynn's ankle rolled in the stiletto. She fell sideways.

Gilbert reached out. His large hand grabbed her bare arm. He pulled her upright.

Adelynn gasped. She looked up at him. Her eyes were wide with shock.

Gilbert looked down into her eyes. His breath caught. His fingers tightened on her arm for a fraction of a second. An inexplicable feeling of familiarity, sharp and unsettling, struck him.