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Two weeks later, it was opening night for the Dungeon. I dreaded the event but at least it’d be over soon.
Lance had been annoying, but he’d stayed away from the mansion after I had him hauled off to jail two days in a row. Eventually he learned.
Paul and I had been working on the rehab center while Greg tried to make inroads with the troubling church. Without evidence, it was a waste to push matters. I’d been researching their history but the details were few and far between.
I was on my computer in the living room when Paul arrived.
He looked hot in a gray suit but no tie. The collar of his shirt was casually unbuttoned.
“You look nice,” I teased.
“You’re not dressed,” he pointed out.
True, I stood there in jeans and a sweater. “I have a dress picked out. I just hate dressing up for that jerk.”
“You can do it for me. Might as well try to have fun,” he replied.
I held up a finger. “Fun with our guard up.”
“Agreed.” He squeezed my arm. “Come on. Traffic will be awful.”
“It always is. There is no reason to be early.” I headed for the big staircase at the center of the mansion.
At the top of the stairs, Mary Lou was fussing over her shoe choices with Ivy.
“Get dressed!” Mary Lou scolded me.
“Mary Lou, it’s a club that is creepy. This isn’t an honor or something fun. I don’t know why you’re so excited,” I replied.
She rolled her eyes at me. “Your life is full of adventure and the unexpected. My life has been nothing but dull and boring with moments of panic and crazy. I want a little fun. A few drinks, dancing, and to just enjoy life a little.”
“There are plenty of clubs and bars in New Orleans to do that in. Be careful with Lucifer. I don’t trust him,” I said.
“You’re paranoid.” Mary Lou settled on a pair of shoes and moved on to the handbag round.
Ivy shrugged. “Just try to have fun.”
Brody emerged dressed in a sharp suit.
“Nice,” I teased.
I was used to Ivy generally dressing in drag but Brody flipped to Brandy only for the club, it seemed. This was a different sort of club.
In my room, I locked the door behind me and took a break.
Tish had, of course, decided to nap on the dress I’d laid out for tonight.
“Really. You can’t go.” I scooped her up and gently placed her on my pillow. The black cat stretched, rolled over, and went back to sleep.
A quick once over with a lint brush and the dress was ready to go. I shed my normal clothes and slid the green dress over my head. A dress like this required heels. I’d chosen the outfit for Paul. Might as well get some mileage out of a night of torture.
After adding a layer to my makeup and a few curls to my hair, I sprayed some perfume in all the right spots. I found my black heels and my black leather jacket before I headed downstairs.
Gunnar whistled as I hit the main floor.
“Thanks. You look nice.” I surveyed his casual approach. Jeans and a dress shirt with boots.
“No jacket?” Matt asked Gunnar.
“It’s a club opening, not a wedding,” Gunnar grabbed his coat as well.
Matt was following Paul’s lead. No tie or anything fancy. Matt’s sportscoat was a bit big on him. The stress of his family had taken his weight loss to another level. I’d have to keep an eye on him.
Greg came down in a suit and tie. Mary Lou’s influence, no doubt. She was decked out in a red swirling dress. Only Ivy looked more sparkly and flirty than Mary Lou. Ivy couldn’t really help it. Her bright purple number had feathers.
“It’s not a drag club,” I reminded her.
“It’s a club. They get the full me,” Ivy sassed back.
Paul stared at me. “That is a great dress.”
I laughed. “Like it? Too much?”
“More than Lucifer deserves but I’m selfish enough to think it’s for me,” he replied.
“Of course, it’s for you. I can’t stand that Luci.” I glanced over my shoulder to be sure Amy was with me. She always was. Guardian angels were funny that way, but I felt the need to check.
“Are we ready?” Greg asked.
“Sure. Couples driving separately?” Matt asked.
“Seems like a hassle,” Mary Lou replied.
I shrugged. “It’s best in case anyone gets a headache or isn’t feeling great. Paul could get an emergency call. Better to have more cars so everyone doesn’t have to leave.”
“Right, plus no one has a car that’ll hold all of us. Let’s go.” Brody grabbed the door.
The valet opened my door and I felt the coldness of Dungeon. Everything was black, gray, or silver. Paul joined me and we walked toward the building as the valet parked his car.
The others joined us until we had our full party. Then I held out the invitation to the doorman and we were escorted to a reserved table. We’d barely sat down when a bottle of expensive champagne was brought over.
Lucifer walked over beaming with pride. “So glad you made it. Enjoy the champagne and check out the club. The table is yours all night,” he said.
“That’s so sweet.” Mary Lou downed her glass in one gulp.
Greg and I shared a look. Drunk Mary Lou was crazier than anything else.
“Please enjoy the dancing and we have appetizers on the menu, plus desserts. Nothing fancy.”
“Thanks, it’s very nice,” I said.
Lucifer mingled on, attending to all his VIP tables.
I took in the view. There was a dance floor and music to one side, a huge bar along the back wall. The overall layout felt the same but the color scheme changed. There was more light as well. It was dark in places but not super dark like I expected a dungeon to be.
The club was full and the people were a mix. Some goth young adults and some normally dressed people. I saw a lot of leather and started rethinking my jacket.
“Anything good or bad?” Paul asked softly.
I frowned. “There are some people here that are looking for bad things. Dark things. But so far, the staff seems neutral. Except Lucifer.”
“I want to check it all out.” Mary Lou stood up.
Greg followed her.
Matt and Gunnar were talking.
“Dancing seems harmless,” Ivy said.
“Go for it, I’m good here.” I nodded.
Ivy and Brody headed for the dance floor. Matt and Gunnar followed.
Paul sat back and watched people. I did the same.
“Don’t stay here because of me,” I said.
“Where else would I go?” Paul asked.
“I don’t know. I don’t feel like dancing right now.” I saw some tables in the shadows and got a tingle of darkness.
“I never really feel like dancing. Slow dancing maybe, but this doesn’t seem like that sort of club.” Paul looked in the direction I stared. “What do you sense?”
“Hard to tell. Drugs? Prostitution? But I’m sure Lucifer isn’t behind that. He’ll have that behind those membership only doors. He’s not stupid,” I admitted.
“I’m not trying to get him arrested right now. As long as you don’t think anything illegal or dangerous is going on. I’m just not sure why he made such a point to invite us. He’s interested in you.” Paul sipped his drink.
I shook my head. “Maybe in my powers.”
“Maybe you and your powers,” Paul countered.
“Let’s talk a walk around.” I stood up and left the VIP area.
Paul followed me and watched the room carefully.
I felt a mental tug. Someone was pulling my energy. We passed by some of the private rooms and nothing there was drawing me closer. I got near the darker areas and didn’t like the sensation. We headed toward the bar and I felt the dip worsen.
Lucifer, Mary Lou, and Lester were at the bar. I knew it wasn’t Mary Lou. Lately she might be draining me, but it wasn’t the intentional energy suck that I felt now.
“De, you’ll never guess,” Mary Lou said.
“Really? Me?” I teased.
“You won’t believe it,” she insisted.
“Tell me,” I encouraged.
“Lucifer hired me to be the assistant manager here.” She jumped up and down.
Greg walked up to join us at the bar. “The restrooms are very nice. Marble counters and everything is the finest.”
Lucifer nodded. “Thank you.”
“Mary Lou, you’ve never managed anything.” I wasn’t going to be distracted by shining fixtures.
“This is how you learn. I’ve been waiting tables and working with people. I’ve been doing charity events forever. This is a new level for me.” She hugged Lucifer.
Greg’s jaw dropped momentarily but he recovered. “Is it a full-time gig?”
“Of course. I can’t wait. I’ll be here tomorrow bright and early.” She beamed with pride.
“No, not until ten at least. We stay up late.” Lucifer grinned.
“Mary Lou, are you sure you want to work here?” I asked.
“Deanna, you can’t support anything I do.” Mary Lou leaned over the bar to the bartender. “Shot of tequila, please.”
“That’s not true. I support your divorce. I’m letting you stay at my house. I support you. But this job is out of the blue,” I pointed out.
She downed the shot and sighed. “No, it’s not. You just think no one else will hire me. You want me to owe you for everything. I can get a job elsewhere and succeed. If you want me to move out, just say the word and we will.”
“We?” I pushed back.
“Don’t test me. I can take care of myself. I appreciate your help but I’m not helpless without you or your friends.” She glared at Paul. “This is my first step toward real independence. Be happy for me.”
I shrugged. “Congratulations.”
I didn’t mean a word of it. This was a bad idea. But I was starting to believe that Paul might be right. Lucifer was interested in someone—it just wasn’t me or my powers. Mary Lou was an emotional powder keg and maybe that’s what Lucifer wanted or needed for his dark side.
“Shots for everyone!” Mary Lou announced.
“Not for me, thanks,” I said.
“Right. It’s nearly midnight. You’re never out this late unless you’re working. Might as well take her home now, Paul.” Mary Lou slid onto a leather barstool.
She was right, in a twisted way. I wasn’t helping things, so I was better off going home.
“Thanks for the drinks and the table. It’s lovely but I’m not a bar person. Even if I do own one. I’m going to hit the ladies’ room first,” I said to Lucifer.
Paul and Luci exchanged polite chitchat.
Greg hadn’t oversold the restrooms. Everything was high end and luxurious. A lot of women milled around touching up makeup or talking about men. I washed my hands and let my instincts take over. I glanced beyond the row of stalls to a sitting area where a few women had gathered to chat quietly.
One younger girl with big blue eyes and blonde hair locked eyes with me and then looked down.
She was probably not quite twenty-one yet and worried I was undercover security or something. I didn’t want to scare off Lucifer’s business by being overly nosy or critical. I’d certainly had a drink or two before I turned twenty-one.
I checked my makeup and turned to leave but something was pulling on me. Not in an energy way, but in a need way.
“Excuse me, ladies, sorry. I have a friend who might’ve had too much. Are you in here, Amber?” I said loudly and looked around. I met the blonde girl’s gaze one last time. She could pretend to be Amber if she wanted to talk to me.
When no one answered, I shrugged. “I’ll find her.”
I left the washroom and found Greg waiting for me.
“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure she gets home safely. Hopefully this job thing will fizzle out.” He sighed.
“Good. Have fun,” I said.
Mary Lou wasn’t my sister or my kid. She could do what she wanted. I just wasn’t sure if she wanted this or she was rebelling after so many years in a controlling marriage.
“Ready?” Paul asked.
“Very,” I said.
I headed over and tapped Gunnar on the shoulder. He and Matt as well as Ivy and Brody followed me to the front door where we could hear each other.
“Everything okay?” Ivy asked.
I told them about Mary Lou’s job.
“She’s nuts,” Matt said.
“She’ll get less alimony but that’s her problem. I don’t care where she wants to work. I just am worried Lucifer is going to use her in other ways. I know Greg will stick around and make sure she gets home tonight. If you guys want to stay, that’s fine. I’ve had enough. I’m only upsetting Mary Lou which is making it hard on the group.” I wasn’t trying to gossip or cause trouble, but everyone deserved to know the deal.
“No worries. We’ll be fine,” Brody said.
“Consider it recon on the competition,” Ivy said.
“They aren’t a drag bar,” I pointed out.
“They are a successful bar,” Paul countered.
“Fine. Stay or don’t. I just wanted you to know what the deal was. I want to give Mary Lou the space to heal so if she starts overreacting or snipping at you guys—just give her room for now. Hopefully Lucifer won’t drag her into anything dangerous,” I said.
“I’m going to go get the car,” Paul said.
“Thanks,” I replied.
“You think she’s acting out more?” Matt asked.
I shrugged. “You’ve known her longer than me. I think this is a place where she thinks she got the job all on her own. They have security so if Lance tries to see her—there are bouncers and others to deal with him. It’s not the worst possible choice in the world but it’s not my first choice, either.”
“The music is good. Drinks and apps have a range of prices so it appeals to a variety of incomes. It’s not a bad setup,” Gunnar said.
“Yeah, I think the club will succeed. I just prefer my own place where I make the rules.” It was the truth. Even though I didn’t fit in at a drag bar, it was mine. I knew everyone and they knew me. I felt like a guest here and maybe that was making me overreact?
“Night,” I said.
I walked out and nodded to the valet as he opened the car door for me. Paul was already behind the wheel.
“I feel like Thai food and some old movies on TV. You interested?” he asked.
“Sounds perfect. I need to get out of these heels,” I said.
“You’ve already kicked them off and are going to walk barefoot into the house, aren’t you?” he asked.
I shrugged. “It’s winter. I might put the shoes back on until I’m in the house. Now you have to guess what I want from the Thai place.” He was getting to know me better and better. Maybe that was freaking me out?
“No, I’m driving. You order. You get to guess what I want,” he teased.
“I’ve got the advantage there.” I pulled out my phone.