Devastated

“I can’t reveal the names of the members unless they wish to be known,” replied the redhead.

“Why do they want to invite us?” Kimani asked, wanting to add, And what are they expecting?

“I haven’t been told.”

Marissa held the card to her chest. “I’ve always wanted to see what the Upper Balcony was like.”

“Then what are you waiting for?” Miguel encouraged.

Marissa asked the redhead, “Do you think we could extend the invitation to include Miguel?”

“I’ll have to check,” replied the redhead.

“I so want to know who the invitation is from!” Marissa said while they waited for the redhead to return with an answer.

“Hopefully not a creep,” Kimani replied, but then she remembered the woman at the entrance. Women can be creeps, too, she reminded herself.

“I think VIP members are heavily vetted and screened,” Miguel said. “At least, that’s what I’ve been told.”

Kimani looked over at Marissa, “You can never be too sure these days.”

“I don’t expect to do anything in the Upper Balcony,” Marissa said. “I just want to see what it’s like.”

“I don’t know. We have no idea who this person is.”

“I’m not so worried. There are bouncers everywhere in case anyone gets out of hand.”

Marissa gestured to the far corner, and that’s when Kimani noticed a muscled man in the shadows.

“Still, I’ve had enough surprises to last me a lifetime.”

Marissa sighed. “Yeah, you’re right. Maybe we should play it safe.”

Miguel looked stunned. “Are you saying you’re going to pass up an invitation to the Upper Balcony? It’s only the most exclusive BDSM spot in the city—maybe the whole state!”

Marissa bit her bottom lip. She looked at Kimani. “What should I do?”

The redhead returned with an answer. “The gentleman is invited as well on one condition.”

Surprise, Kimani thought wryly to herself. She didn’t want to be a wet blanket, but after what she and Marissa had been through, it was better to be safe than sorry.

The redhead looked at Kimani. “The member would like you to wait in the Silk Room. Alone.”

Double surprise. Kimani had guessed the woman at the entrance was more interested in Marissa, but maybe she had thought wrong. Still, she balked, “No way I’m going to be locked alone in a room with a stranger.”

“There are no doors and locks at The Lair,” the redhead said. “Only curtains. And our security is always on hand. Our visitors forego some privacy, but we prioritize safety.”

“Don’t worry about me,” Miguel said. “You should enjoy your invitation the way you want it.”

Marissa frowned. “I don’t know...maybe it’s not such a big deal to go to the Upper Balcony.”

“Not a big deal?” Miguel exclaimed. “Marissa, I’m excited you get to go. It’ll be the highlight of my night to hear you tell me all about it.”

“But I don’t want Kimani to—”

“I’ll go,” Kimani blurted, not wanting to ruin what could be Marissa’s only chance to see the Upper Balcony. “But I want a bouncer stationed right outside this Silk Room.”

But what if the bouncer couldn’t be trusted? What if this mysterious Upper Balcony member slipped the bouncer some money not to see or hear anything? If it was the woman from the entrance, Kimani felt like she could take the woman on if needed, but not if the woman had help.