Cassie’s POV
I arrived at the club. Club Eden, one of the best clubs in town. Kate had already gone ahead with Alex. People were pouring in with their dates, the music already pulsing from the entrance.
"Welcome to Club Eden." The bouncer nodded me toward a table where I could pick out a mask.
I stood in front of rows of them, genuinely surprised by how beautiful, how sensual but yet simple a mask could be. I scanned the collection, looking for something that matched my outfit: a black sequin mini dress, barely covering anything, slit up both sides. I had one goal tonight, and it wasn’t subtle. I wanted to be fucked until I forgot my own name.
Then I saw it. Silver, sleek, easily the most striking mask on the table. Something dark sat underneath its soft shimmer, mysterious without trying, elegant without being boring.
I picked it up, turning it slowly between my fingers. This one. I slipped it on and checked my reflection. Magnificent.
I was waved toward the entrance. Inside, the crowd was already packed — bodies pressed together, masks glinting under the lights, the music pulling everyone into the same rhythm.
I searched for Kate, weaving through dancers, but she was nowhere. I called her but it went straight to voicemail.
I needed to find her before I let myself enjoy any of this. I checked the bar, the stage, and finally spotted Alex near a door leading backstage, he’d know where she was.
I pushed through the crowd, irritated. This is exactly why I hate clubs. It’s her birthday. Shouldn’t she be the one on stage, not hiding?
By the time I reached him, Alex was mid-argument with someone, I could bet I saw the stranger pointing a gun at him, though I couldn’t hear a word over the music. Whatever it was, it looked tense... almost threatening.
"Alex!" I called, walking closer. He cut the conversation off instantly, muttering something about calling the guy back. Shady, definitely but not my problem right now. I just needed to find Kate.
"Hey. Cassie, you’re already here?" His smile went up a beat too fast, covering whatever mood he’d just been in.
"Have you seen Kate? I’ve checked everywhere."
"Backstage, getting ready to greet everyone." He pointed toward a side room.
"Thanks."
I found her inside, touching up her makeup.
"Kate. I’ve been looking everywhere."
"Oh, Cass. You made it."
"Yeah. I think something is going on with Alex."
She spun to face me fully. "What do you mean?"
"I saw him arguing with someone out there. I don’t know what it was about, but it looked really serious."
She laughed it off, turning back to the mirror. "I’m sure it’s nothing. People argue all the time."
"Kate, I think the other guy had a gun. Alex looked genuinely scared."
"Cass. Is this your way of telling me you don’t want to have fun tonight?" She rolled her eyes. "Go dance, get drunk, do something other than spy on my boyfriend."
"Seriously, Kate?" I couldn’t believe her. Before I could push further, Alex walked in smooth, charming, playing the perfect boyfriend but I could see pass his perfect charade.
"Everything good, babe?"
"Yeah. Cass, go have fun. I’ll catch up in a bit."
I caught Alex’s eye on my way out. He looked like he’d just won a trophy for capturing Kate’s heart.
I went back into the crowd, more irritated than I wanted to admit, considering going back home. Just then, I bumped straight into a large man in the middle of the floor.
"Sorry," I muttered, trying to slip past him.
"Why are you leaving, sweetheart?" His hand closed around my arm, pulling me back.
"Let go." I tried to twist free.
"Don’t be like that." His grip only tightened.
"Well, who’s this?" A second voice, right behind me, a hand grabbing my ass.
"Caught her trying to run," the first one laughed.
I tried to shout, tried to get anyone’s attention, but the music swallowed everything and they were both so much bigger than me.
"Bet she tastes good." He licked his fingers, still holding me, yanking at the strap of my dress.
"Let go!" I fought, tears already burning down my face.
"Don’t cry. We’ll go easy on you." His hand moved lower, forcing its way toward my underwear.
I fought against him with everything I had. His hand clamped around my throat instead. "Think you’re strong enough?" The other one kept trying to force his fingers inside my panties.
Just as I felt myself giving up, an angel came out of nowhere, connecting hard with the second man’s face.
The first one lunged to intervene, but he was met with the same fury- punch after punch, until blood ran freely from his nose. Nobody around us seemed to notice, the crowd too loud, too lost in its own rhythm.
The other man grabbed my stranger by the collar, shoving him back, but he fought right back, landing blow after blow until the man could barely stand.
"Please, stop." I begged, terrified this would end somewhere much worse. "Please, leave him."
He froze, fist still raised, then slowly let go, letting the man crumple to the floor.
I ran for the bathroom, one hand pressed to my torn strap, tears blurring everything. I stared at my own reflection, shaking.
He followed. "Are you okay?" His mask still hid his face completely, but I could see his broad shoulders from the silk shirt he had on, more that 6ft tall, huge arms. I could feel my cunt dripping.
Who are you?
Before I could think it through, I crossed the room and kissed him. His lips were soft and warm. I wanted more, when I finally pulled back, close enough to catch his cologne: rich, expensive, dizzying, the words left me before I could stop them.
"Can you fuck me. Sir."