ROSE

I paced back and forth in front of the window at Las Vegas Henderson Airport, counting down the minutes until the scheduled time I knew Lissa, Dimitri, and the others were supposed to arrive. Since this was a private charter airport, there wasn't much to distract me besides old business magazines and the occasional people-watching when a random person would drop off borrowed keys at one of the car rental desks.

Any moment, now, I thought to myself. I flexed my hands by my side to keep from fidgeting and wringing them in front of me. I'm sure the attendant at one of the two terminal gates was already eyeing me warily. I knew I probably looked half-crazed, but anxiety burned through me like electricity. The fact that I wasn't climbing the walls was a minor miracle.

It had been just over a year since I had been in the United States. A year since I had seen Lissa and the others, and though I already knew it would be a happy reunion, I was still wracked with nerves. Part of my worry was because I was finally going to see my friends again, but another, bigger part of my worry was that we could all get in trouble if anyone found out. As Moroi royalty, Lissa, Christian, and Adrian would probably get away with just a slap on the wrist. Dimitri and Eddie, however? Well, they would be lucky to get off with just a demarking and exile.

I didn't even want to know what the guardians would do to me if they found out. Was execution still allowed these days? If so, I was pretty sure I'd be up on the chopping block.

Still, when Lissa called me a few weeks ago, bawling because Tatiana had somehow roped her into yet another stupid political act under the guise of her wedding, I knew Lissa had finally had enough.

'I just want to be done with all this,' she had confided. 'I'd always dreamed of a big, white wedding, but now it's a nightmare. I just want all this done with. I want to be married to Christian; that's it. No eight-tier wedding cake, no guest list larger than the entire population of St. Vlad's, and for the love of all things holy, no big poofy dress that makes me look like a cupcake.'

I had joked that she should just get eloped, but once I had planted the idea in her head, she held onto it like a dog with a bone. And that's how, two weeks later, I was here in Vegas waiting for the bride-to-be and the rest of her clandestine wedding party.

I looked up from the wall of windows, but rather than the large expanse of blue sky I had seen every other time, I caught sight of a small white jet with a familiar blue and gold seal on the back. That was it! That was one of the Court planes!

I watched as it slowly circled back toward the ground in a gentle arc, touching down right in front of me before taxiing just out of sight where I knew they would be deplaning.

I'm sure it took less than ten minutes to get off the plane and gather their luggage, but I was just about ready to bulldoze my way past the gate attendant and run down to the tarmac myself when I saw the terminal doors crack open.

Dimitri was the first to slip through, and he dutifully checked the area for any possible threats before his gaze settled on me.

"Clear?" he called over, knowing that if there was anything or anyone that could cause issues, I would have already taken care of it hours ago.

I chuckled, nodding my head at him before confirming. "Clear."

He pushed the door further and stepped aside so Lissa could slip past.

"Rose!" Lissa cried, spooking the attendant next to her. She began to run towards me, meeting me halfway and nearly knocking me off my feet as we collided in a mess of hugs and tears. "I can't believe you're here. It's been so long."

It really had been. Maybe a year might not feel like a long time to some, but a year apart was like a lifetime for two people who had spent almost their entire lives side-by-side. Even our souls seemed to revel in the reunion. Between the charmed rings and the medication Lissa had begun to take to settle the worst effects of Spirit, the bond hadn't suffered too much from the distance. Still, it was like that part of us also seemed to recognize that we were together again. I felt lighter and more at ease than I had in a long time.

"What am I? Chopped liver?" I glanced over Lissa's shoulder to see Adrian leaning casually on the wall beside Dimitri. He smacked Dimitri's shoulder, earning him a raised brow and a somewhat exasperated expression from my boyfriend. If I had to wager (and this was Vegas, after all), I'd say that Adrian had been amusing himself by taunting Dimitri the entire flight over. "Will you look at that? It seems we've both been tossed aside. That stings, Littler Dhampire."

I gave Lissa one last tight squeeze before making my way to the pair, smirking at Adrian before brushing past him and giving Dimitri a kiss. While I'm sure he had only expected a quick, sweet little thing, I decided to force a little more 'oomph' into it. I pressed myself against him in a nearly obscene way, letting out a quiet little moan that I knew Adrian would pick up beside us. It took a second, but Dimitri caught on pretty quickly, and a moment later, I felt his hand slip dangerously close to my ass. When I finally pulled back, I saw him throw Adrian a self-satisfied wink.

Completely unphased, Adrian stared at Dimitri with a playful, overly dramatic, and scandalized gasp before he placed his hand over his heart. "Why don't you kiss me like that, Dimitri?"

"Oh, shut it." I gave Adrian a light tap on the shoulder, which he used to pull me into a hug. "I missed you."

"I missed you, too, Rose. Life isn't nearly as fun without you to cause trouble."

I scoffed. "Like you aren't causing enough trouble for the both of us."

"He is," Christian said, pulling my attention away momentarily. He had somehow managed to sneak by me and now had his arm securely wrapped around Lissa's waist.

"Good to see you again, Sparky," I said, offering him my fist.

He tapped it with his own. "Ditto."

Eddie was the next person up the gangway, and the moment he saw me, he quickly closed the distance between us, dropped the duffle that had been slung over his shoulder, and gave me a big bear hug. My head spun as he picked me up and twirled me around, chuckling as I squealed in surprise.

"Put me down!" I cried through my laughter. "Put me down!"

When he finally did, he held his hand out, and we started a well-practiced handshake that he, Mason, and I had created when we were children and had stayed with us through thick and thin. The fact that I had nearly missed one of the movements stung more than I would have liked, but thankfully he didn't seem to notice. Or if he did, he didn't say anything.

It was only then that I saw someone else over Eddie's shoulder.

Nadia.

I had seen her in a few candid pictures, but seeing her now, I realized that none of the photographs had done her justice. She was a few years older than me, a few inches taller, and when she turned to say something to the gate attendant, I noticed a few more molnija. Her long, light brown hair was tied into two French braids that merged into a thick, loose ponytail at the nape of her neck. Though she had an air of power and strength, one that could only be won by years of consistent training, she also had a feminine swing in her walk that could make a man break his neck trying to get a second look.

"Rose!" she said, a strange familiarity behind her cheery smile as if we had known each other for years. I extended my hand, intending to be polite and introduce myself, but she shocked me by blowing past it to hug me like the others. I stiffened, unsure what to do, but she let me go just as quickly. "Oh my gosh, I feel like I already know you. The others talk about you all the time. Good things, I promise."

From behind me, I heard Christian pipe up, "Liar."

"Oh, hush you," Nadia chastised him over my shoulder before turning her attention and pretty hazel-green eyes back on me. "Ignore him. He's such a punk sometimes, but you already know that. Anyway, I think we're going to be fast friends. Don't you?"

I glanced over towards Lissa, who seemed thrilled that Nadia and I were finally meeting face-to-face. Lissa had enthused over her new female guardian and how nice it was to have another girl in the house, but something about her made me bristle a little.

Apparently, jealousy was a hell of a drug.

"Sure," I said, trying to appease Nadia, Lissa, and the others. Hopefully, she couldn't see past my forced smile.

A second later, I felt a large, warm hand on the small of my back as Dimitri broke up our stilted conversation. "The rental car is ready and loaded up with the luggage. We should get going."

In one single moment, I realized three things. First, Nadia and I were never going to be 'fast friends.' Second, I hadn't been the only one with a forced smile. And third, Nadia had a crush on my boyfriend.

Perhaps the others didn't see it, but I could. It was clear as day in the way that her smile softened as Dimitri spoke.

I looked up at Dimitri, happy to see that he seemed fully focused on me. "Yeah, let me just grab–"

"Totally!" Nadia said, cutting me off. "Do you want me to drive, or do you want to?"

"I'll drive," Dimitri offered with a smile, his eyes never leaving mind. "What were you saying, Rose?"

I glanced at Nadia again, waiting to see if she was just going to cut me off again, but I was instead met with that forced smile again. This time, there was a hint of annoyance in it, too. Ignoring her pseudo-glare, I turned back to Dimitri and pointed towards the spot I had been waiting near the window. "My bag is just over there. I'll grab it and meet you at the car."

"Sounds good." He leaned down to kiss the top of my head, and I watched as Nadia booked it towards the door with the others.

Once I had grabbed my stuff and tossed it into the back of the large, navy-blue SUV, along with several other pieces of luggage, everyone seemed to have found their seats. I opened the front passenger door and sprung back when I realized the seat was already filled.

"Oh! I'm sorry, Rose. I assumed that you wanted to sit back with Lissa!" Nadia looked appropriately surprised and apologetic. "Do you want me to move?"

"No. No, that's okay." I wasn't quite sure if it was some sort of calculated power move, but I didn't want to accuse her of anything if it was just my distrust getting the best of me. Besides, perhaps she really was being considerate. I mean, why wouldn't I want to sit with Lissa after not seeing her for so long?

I quietly slipped into the very back of the SUV, moving past the middle row captain chairs where Adrian and Eddie were sitting and to the back corner next to Lissa. Christian sat on the other side of her, holding her hand on his lap. I settled in and fastened my seatbelt as Dimitri pulled out of the airport parking lot towards the Las Vegas strip.

We had barely started moving when I felt Lissa lean her head against mine as she whispered in my mind. "I'm so glad to see you again. We're going to have so much fun."

"Yeah," I answered vocally. "So much fun…"

DIMITRI

True to form, Lissa had booked a massive four-bedroom suite in one of the premier hotels on the strip for the long weekend. Some might have been put off by the idea of staying in the same hotel room as a pair of newlyweds, but I knew that wouldn't be a concern the moment I received the layout to make a security plan. The place was larger than most houses I'd seen. It had to be at least twice the size of the Lehigh residence, and it even rivaled Lissa's family home at Court. It boasted not one, not two, but five bathrooms. Plus a living room, dining room, a private balcony pool, and what could only be considered a small movie theater.

"Dude," Eddie said, gesturing into the theater he had just cleared. "They already have the new Fast and the Furious movie. That doesn't come out in theaters for another month."

"Nice," I replied, even though I had absolutely no interest in the movie. Eddie was obsessed with the franchise. When I casually mentioned it to Rose once, she suggested that it was something that Eddie and Mason had enjoyed before Mason's passing. I'd never complained about it since and even offered to take a double shift every year on the anniversary of Mason's death so he could run an all-day marathon. The rest of us would cycle through to keep him company. "Is that the last room?"

"Yep, we're all clear."

The moment the others entered, Rose and Lissa rushed towards the large expanse of windows that looked out over the Las Vegas Strip and the desert beyond it. "Oh my God, this is freaking amazing."

"Right?" Lissa laughed, looking over at Rose with a bit of pride in her expression. "It's the whole reason I chose this place."

"Oh?" Something about Rose's question suggests that she was skeptical of that.

Lissa just laughed, apparently amused that Rose caught her small fib. "Okay, maybe the huge bath had a little to do with it, too."

Rose huffed. "Lucky duck."

Lissa looked over at me and winked while Rose was distracted by the view. I was eager to show Rose our identical ensuite, including our own luxury bath. Plus, as part of the concierge service, Lissa had ordered a handful of bath bombs to complete what she called 'the spa experience.'

The primary bedroom where Lissa and Christian would be sleeping was on one side of the suite, the room I had claimed for Rose and me was on the other side, and the others were scattered in between. Adrian would take the smaller room with the queen bed, while Nadia and Eddie would share the double room. Adrian had offered to bunk with Eddie so that Nadia could have her own private bathroom, but Nadia had quickly put her foot down and declined. It was both a considerate and strategic decision since the double room was the closest to the entrance of the suit. Still, I wasn't too worried. The only way to get to the room was through the private elevator that wouldn't even move unless you scanned the correct key card.

Plus, even if someone did manage to get past the strong security measures built into the suit, they would have to face down three guardians. Four, if you counted Rose (which we all did.)

After settling into the suite and moving into our respective rooms, we gathered in the living area and reviewed the game plan. Christian and Lissa had already filled out the marriage license application online, and Christian would pick it up with Eddie and Nadia before meeting the rest of us at the wedding venue. Rose had joked (or at least, I think it was a joke) about Christian and Lissa getting married by an Elvis impersonator at a drive-through wedding place. Her rationale was that Tatiana was already planning a big, elaborate wedding worthy of the Princess that Lissa was, so why not 'stick it to the man' and do the total opposite for the elopement? Lissa must have agreed, at least a little bit, because while she declined to get married in a pink Cadillac, she did agree to get married on the giant Ferris wheel overlooking the lights.

As much as I detested heights, even I had to admit that it was a beautiful ceremony. Most importantly, it was theirs. No outside pressure or performance to please others. Just two people in love surrounded by the friends that loved them too.

Lissa looked much happier in the short, casual white dress than she had in any of the satin and lace getups that Tatiana had forced her into. However, as pretty as Lissa looked, it was Rose who truly took my breath away. Her little black dress wasn't anything special in and of itself—in fact, it fit in perfectly with how the rest of the party was dressed—but I couldn't take my eyes off her. The hem that stopped just above her knee teased me relentlessly, and the naked expanse of her collarbone and neck called to me; a small reminder of just how long it had been since I'd tasted her skin.

From the fleeting, flirty glances she kept sending me and the way she squirmed a little under the heat of my gaze, I knew I wasn't the only one affected by all the romance in the air.

After being officially pronounced husband and wife and a few quick pictures, the ceremony was over. The pair were officially married, even if nobody beyond our little group knew. The elaborate wedding that Tatiana had designed would still happen next month, but this wedding—the one that really counted—would remain a secret that we would all happily take to our graves.

"You and Dimitri should go out after dinner," Adrian said, handing Rose the pen he had just used to sign as a witness to the marriage. Even though I had shared my concerns, Rose insisted on signing as the second witness at Lissa's request. It wasn't that I didn't want Rose to sign the marriage document, but I was still hesitant to leave any trace of Rose's presence here today. We were already taking a considerable risk bringing Lissa here without proper authorization. If someone discovered that we had also disregarded Rose's exile order, everyone present could be in significant trouble.

"Are you sure that's such a good idea?" Nadia asked. "I mean, we're in an unfamiliar area with a higher than average risk of Strigoi attacks. Perhaps we all should stick together. Right, Dimitri?"

I paused. Nadia wasn't wrong. Strigoi attacks were more common on the Las Vegas Strip compared to many other areas. Between the heavy crowds and the extensive nightlife, it made it easy for Strigoi to hunt. Plus, since a majority of the people wandering the Vegas Strip were tourists, it was fairly easy for them to disappear without immediate notice. By the time family and friends realized that their loved one was missing, it was far too late for them to save them.

Even so, the temptation to steal Rose away was intense, especially since we would only have one night. We hadn't wanted to chance anyone noticing Lissa's absence, and while making this an overnight trip had initially seemed like a good idea, now I was regretting the decision. Before I could make up my mind, I heard Eddie scoff.

"It's not like we are all getting wasted and going to a club. It'll be fine as long as Lissa, Christian, and Adrian stay in the suite. You and I can handle things, Nadia." Perhaps seeing the last threads of my hesitation breaking, Eddie continued. "Go. Have fun. We'll put on a movie, order some popcorn, and hold down the fort."

I glanced at Rose, who was now tucked under my arm. I'd leave it up to her. After all, this was also her chance to spend some time with Lissa. I wouldn't blame her if she wanted to forgo the nightlife to catch up with her best friend. She nibbled her lip, obviously torn.

"Eddie's right. We'll be fine, Rose." Lissa stepped forward and gently pulled Rose away from me to give her a hug. "It's already late, and I'm a bit tired from traveling, so Christian and I probably won't be up much longer anyway. You should go have fun. We have brunch scheduled in the morning, as well as everything else. We'll have plenty of time to hang out before we have to head back to Court."

Rose still seemed uncertain, and a moment of silence passed between them as Lissa gave her final assurance in the privacy of Rose's mind. Lissa's smirked and raised her brows. A second later, Rose looked towards Christian, scrunched her nose, and shook her head before the pair laughed in tandem.

I couldn't be certain, but I was pretty sure she was encouraging Rose to find some sort of distraction to keep her from being pulled into Lissa's mind at an…inopportune moment.

"Fine," Rose said, grin brightening. "You win. But Dimitri and I will walk you guys back to the hotel. And you have to promise to stay in the room. And text me if you need us for anything. Deal?"

"Deal."

ROSE

I knelt at my suitcase, looking through my clothes while Dimitri sat on the edge of his bed, scrolling through his phone and looking at our spontaneous date night options. Neither of us had expected much alone time while I was here, so we hadn't considered any nightlife. I'll admit, it was disappointing that I wouldn't have much time with him, Lissa, and the others. Initially, we had an entire weekend planned until Tatiana threw a wrench in things by announcing that she was throwing another impromptu bridal shower for Lissa. Or, she said it was for Lissa. It was obviously just another excuse for Tatiana to show off her power.

Still, how was Lissa supposed to refuse? It didn't matter if this was now the third of five bridal showers where she wouldn't know anyone. Lissa was still supposed to smile and act with "the noble grace her lineage had blessed her with." Tatiana's words, not mine. I knew she'd be miserable, but it was par for the course at this point.

Apparently, Tatiana had graciously allowed Lissa to have some say in the next bridal shower, but even that had been limited. She had rejected Mia's non-royal presence immediately and had only relented to inviting Tasha when Lissa pointed out that it could cause some raised eyebrows if Christian's closest family member was excluded. Lissa hadn't even bothered asking if I could attend. Tatiana had finally dropped the act of 'considering' to lift my exile order a few weeks ago. I knew it was too good to be true from the beginning, but apparently, Lissa had held out hope.

However, since our weekend had been cut short, so had my packing list. I basically had the leggings and sweatshirt I had been wearing on the plane, the dress I was wearing now, and a pair of jeans with a t-shirt for tomorrow. I guess the jeans would have to do.

I had initially suggested checking out some of the thrill rides, like the roller coaster at the New York-New York hotel or the rides on top of the Stratosphere. Those ones even made me a little nervous. I knew Dimitri would immediately shoot the idea down because, as much as he tried to downplay his fear of heights, he clearly tried to avoid anything taller than him. However, I did offer a compromise: I told Dimitri that he had ten minutes to figure something else out before I dragged him on that coaster. I wasn't really that cruel, of course. I already had the suggestion of checking out Fremont Street in my back pocket. Still, it was fun to mess with him sometimes.

With only three minutes to go, I grabbed the hem of my dress and began pulling it off.

"Keep it on," Dimitri commanded, never taking his eyes off his phone.

I stilled, the skirt of my dress nearly exposing the fact that I hadn't worn any underwear underneath. "What?"

Dimitri's eyes cut to me, and while his face remained passive, I could see the fire of want burning behind his gaze. "The dress. Keep it on."

"You found something, then?" I asked as I smoothed the skirt back down. Maybe there was a show nearby that hadn't started yet and had a few tickets still available.

"No." Setting his phone aside, Dimitri turned to face me, and my knees buckled slightly as he looked me up and down. "However, I plan on personally tearing that dress off you later tonight. We both know why you wore it. We know it was for me, to taunt me. I think it's only fair that you let me destroy it before I make you pay for your little game."

The heat his words sent through me made it hard to breathe, and I stumbled a moment as he stood and stalked towards me. He was right, of course. While I bought a dress for Lissa's clandestine wedding, I had chosen this dress for him. It was nearly identical to the one that I had worn to the Equinox dance so long ago. I wasn't entirely sure he would remember, but it was now obvious that he did. It was even more obvious that he was ready to finish what had been started that fateful night. "I—"

A sudden knock threw a bucket of ice over us, and he stepped away, adjusting himself before calling out, "Come in."

Adrian stepped through the door, pausing momentarily as he looked between us and grinned. I could only imagine what our auras looked like right now. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt. I just wanted to let you guys know that I got you two on the guest list for that nightclub I mentioned earlier."

I gave an exasperated sigh. "I told you earlier, Adrian. The clubs here are 21 and up. They aren't going to let me in."

"They will if you have this." Adrian pulled a card out of his pocket and handed it to me.

I rolled my eyes. "A fake ID? Really?" This wasn't some random nightclub. The guys in Vegas were ultra-professionals and could probably spot a fake from a mile away. And unlike many small-town bouncers, I doubted that a twenty-dollar bill would persuade them to look the other way.

"A charmed fake ID." Adrian pressed it into my hand before continuing. "One look and the bouncer won't bother questioning it. They'll see whatever they need to see to let you pass without a second glance. It'll work on the bartenders, too. Just make sure you don't lose it, okay?"

I tried to look at the ID, but while I could see my picture, everything else was a little fuzzy. I knew there was more information. I knew it gave a fake birthday and state residence, but I couldn't quite make out the details clearly. And even though I logically knew it was all a lie, it was as if I couldn't recognize what was out of place.

I offered the card for Dimitri to look at. His brows scrunched as he tried to read it and then returned it to me without a word of protest. Adrian and I shared a quick, amused glance, recognizing that the card had done exactly what it was supposed to. One glance, and Dimitri had simply accepted the card as truth. He blinked a few times, clearing the minor compulsion away before narrowing his eyes at Adrian. "Impressive," he admitted with only the slightest bit of annoyance that Adrian had managed to pull one over him.

"Well, your ten minutes are up, Dimitri. What's it going to be? Nightclub or roller coaster?" I tried and failed to hold back my grin, especially when I noticed Dimitri's hesitation.

"Those are my only two options?" His jaw tensed as he stared down the ID.

"Yep," I said, popping the 'p' as I did so. "And you should feel lucky I'm giving you the choice. According to the deal, we should already locked in a tiny car, clinging to the safety bar as we go up higher…and higher…and—"

"Okay, Stop. You win." Dimitri blanched slightly at the thought of climbing towards the top of that first massive hill. "We'll go to the club, but you never leave my sight, okay? Nadia was right when she said that the risk of Strigoi is higher here."

"I promise," I said, holding my hand with three fingers up like a boy scout.

"I mean it, Rose." His voice took on that heavy tone as he stared down at me, obviously wanting me to take his warning seriously.

"I know," I replied, replacing my earlier sarcasm with seriousness. "I promise I'll be right by you the whole time."

DIMITRI

There was no name to advertise the nightclub, only a geometric logo glowing against the facade of one of the more high-end hotels. It would have been so easy to miss…except for the long line of men dressed in some variation of my own outfit and women in dresses that made Rose's look conservative by comparison.

"How are they not freezing?" I quietly wondered with an idle fascination under my breath. I guess the more pertinent question in my mind should have been, 'How was Rose not freezing.' Sure, Las Vegas could never truly be considered cold, but there was still a decent chill in the breeze. Before I could ask Rose if she wanted my jacket, she smiled up at me.

"As the great Cardi B once said, 'Hos don't get cold.' I promise they're fine, and I am too."

I had no clue who Cardi B was, but I wasn't sure I liked Rose referring to herself as a 'ho,' even if it didn't seem to be in any sort of derogatory way. I didn't have time to gather any kind of response before she gestured to a small area closed off with a red velvet rope and a guy who must have been as tall as I was.

"I think that's it over there." Rose started walking past the throng of waiting people, ignoring the many leers that varied between jealous sneers and lecherous smirks. I stepped closer to Rose and placed a possessive hand on her lower back when I caught a trio of guys staring at her with lewd gazes so full of lust and arrogance that they should have considered themselves lucky I didn't rip their eyes out to teach them some manners.

Two of the men immediately shrunk back into the line while the third, in a brief moment of bravery, dared to meet my glare. That courage was quickly dashed when he realized that any sort of challenge against me wouldn't just be pointless—it would be painful. I would make sure of it.

Utterly ignorant of the entire exchange, Rose led us to the front of the line and paused in front of the bouncer. Unlike the guys before, this man didn't seem intimidated by me in the slightest. Frankly, he looked so unphased it almost stung my pride a little.

"Names?" He asked, not bothering with any niceties as he pulled out a small tablet.

"Rose Hathaway and Dimitri Belikov," Rose answered quickly. She bounced on her toes slightly, betraying a mixture of nerves and excitement as she tried to look at the man's list. He pulled it closer to his chest and changed the angle so that her nosiness was left unsatisfied. "Or maybe it's under Adrian Ivashkov? He's the one who put us on the list."

That seemed to be the information he needed because he pressed a few buttons and then looked up. "IDs?"

I offered him mine, which only earned a quick glance to ensure the picture matched my face before he returned it. His brows furrowed slightly as Rose handed her the charmed ID, but the wrinkles smoothed as soon as the compulsion kicked in. I caught the barest sigh of relief as Rose slipped it back into the small purse tied to her wrist that honestly didn't look big enough to be of much use. By the time she had it secured away again, the man was holding his hand out again.

"Hand," the man demanded, still in that firm but unaffected tone. Rose went to offer hers, but I cut in first so I could see what his next move was. I knew he wouldn't do anything to cause harm, but I also didn't like surprises. The bouncer didn't seem to care in the slightest as he pulled out a small stamp and pressed it against the back of my hand. While he did the same to Rose, I took a closer look. It was the same logo as the one I had seen earlier outside, but this time, there were three small letters underneath: VIP.

Rose stared at the mark with surprise as the man broke from his one-word pattern to give what was obviously a speech that he had memorized over the years. "This gives you access to the upper floor of the main club and the rooftop courtyard. Both have private bars for your convenience. If you have any questions or would like to check your coat, you can do so at the VIP guest services. Thank you for joining us, and enjoy your night." Without another word, he unhooked the guard rope and waved us past him.

The place didn't immediately open up into a mass of thumping base (though the echoes could certainly be heard through the walls). Instead, there was a small but opulent lobby. On one side was the guest service desk, while the other contained a small sitting area where I assumed patrons waiting for the rest of their party could rest for a while.

"Stay here. I'm going to go check my coat, okay?"

Rose nodded absentmindedly as she gazed in awe at the padded velvet walls and other dramatic trappings. As much as I wasn't looking forward to the crowds, noise, and everything else waiting for us, I loved her smile and eager excitement. She was happy, and that was more than enough for me. I gave her a quick kiss against her temple and left her to her wonderment.

Once my coat was squared away with the attendant and I had pocketed my claim ticket, I made my way back to Rose, who looked mere seconds from running into the main club without me. Her fingers fidgeted at her sides until I slipped my hands in hers, and we entered what could have been considered another word.

I had been to the occasional nightclub with Ivan when we were younger, but this…this was something else.

It was deafening, but it was like I could feel the music more than hear it. The heavy thrum of it pulsated through me, almost as if the beat of the music had somehow overridden my own heartbeat. I couldn't even tell you if there were any lyrics or melody, just the thump, thump, thump reverberating through my body.

Lights flashed from LED screens, roving spotlights, and a giant chandelier hanging precariously over a packed dance floor sunken into the center of the room. Even over the overwhelming base, I could hear the hum of what must have been at least a couple hundred people singing and dancing in time with the music. Another hundred or so people stood away from the main thrall, sipping on overpriced cocktails as they watched everyone else.

If Rose had been awestruck by the lobby, she seemed utterly stunned now. We both were. I felt someone brush by us, and the movement jolted me out of my stupor.

Now that the initial shock had worn away, my mind immediately started charting all the possible dangers that could be hidden around us. It was almost second nature for me by now, but as I scanned the area, the only verdict that came to mind was that this might be one of the most risky situations that I had ever found myself in. It made the busy sidewalks from earlier look like child's play. There could easily be a dozen Strigoi hidden amongst the dancing crowd, and I would never be able to tell. Yes, there were visible fire exits, but if people needed to quickly evacuate, it would be a deadly stampede.

If I had been here with Lissa or the others, I would have insisted we leave immediately. There was no way I could adequately guard them in a jumbled mess like this. But when I went to tell Rose we should leave, she pointed toward a staircase off to the side of the room with a suited bouncer guarding it.

"Look, that must be the way upstairs." She tugged at my arm, pulling me in that direction before I could get a word in.

When we finally made past the dozen or so people in our way, the bouncer didn't bother saying anything. He just pointed to our hands and checked them for the proper stamp before stepping out of the way and letting us by.

The crowds faded quickly as we reached the second floor. Unlike the hundreds of people below, only thirty or so people were scattered about here. Some were waiting at the bar for drinks, while others were seated in the booths that lined the wall. It was the people in the booths that took me by surprise. Sure, some of them were innocently drinking and chatting, but there were a few who were using the relative privacy of the high-walled booths to hide some borderline indecency. One man was outright groping his date while they hungrily kissed one another. It honestly wouldn't surprise me if they were completely naked before the night was over. I tore my eyes away quickly, not wanting to be caught staring, though I wondered if either of them would even notice. Or care. The staff around us certainly didn't seem to care.

Rather than overthinking the situation, I chose to join the small group of people standing by the railing as they watched the crowds below.

"Wow," Rose said from beside me, staring at the entire scene. "This is…incredible."

I hated the excitement in her voice, knowing I was about to dash it. "We can't stay here. The place is too big and chaotic to secure."

"Secure?" Rose glanced up at me, meeting my stare in disbelief. "I'm not your charge, Dimitri. You don't have to 'secure' the place for me."

"Roza," I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose and the tension already building there. I expected her to put up a bit of a fight. In fact, I would have been more surprised if she hadn't pushed back. Still, she had to understand my worry. "I know you aren't a charge. You are so much more than that. If something happened to you…if you were hurt or…" I couldn't even finish the horrible thought. "It would kill me. I wouldn't be able to live with myself."

Her eyes softened with understanding. "I know, Dimitri. I get it. But it's fine. Yeah, it's busy, but this place is probably always busy like this. It stays open, though. Night after night, people come and enjoy themselves. Let's do the same. I don't want us to miss out because you're afraid that something might happen. Plus, if something does happen, which is very unlikely, I have you and you have me. We'd be fine."

I hated it, but she did have a point. Rose and I were stronger together, and just because my mind immediately saw the worst-case scenario everywhere I went, that didn't mean that those possibilities should keep me from enjoying things. Or specifically, my issues shouldn't keep Rose from enjoying things. I closed my eyes in frustration, completely torn between leaving and staying. Neither option seemed great.

I thought I had finally decided until I looked down at Rose and saw the concern and resignation written across her face. She pulled her lower lip between her teeth, nibbling it a moment before asking, "Do you really want to go back?"

Part of me wanted to say yes. It would be the smartest thing to do. We could go back to the hotel room and watch some random movie with a blanket around us until she started to drift to sleep. Then, I'd carry her to our bedroom before coaxing her awake again with gentle touches until her sighs became moans. I would be more than content with a quiet evening, but I knew Rose wouldn't. Sure, she'd say it was fine, but I knew a part of her would mourn the excitement that couldn't be found in a quiet little town like Baia.

"No," I finally said, watching a hint of relief cross her eyes. "You're right. Everything will be just fine. I'm sorry I was being so paranoid."

She chuckled and pressed closer to me as she traced the line of my jaw, gently releasing the tension I'd been holding between clenched teeth. "Not paranoid, just protective."

"We can stay. but you have to promise to stay by my side the entire time, okay?" Just because I was giving in didn't mean that I would not take some precautions to keep her safe. "I don't want you out of my sight."

"Deal! I promise I'll stick right by you," She lifted up on her toes and kissed me, sealing my fate for the night. "Now, let's go get a drink."

"Wait, what?"

Rose never even heard me because she was already skipping towards the bar.

So much for promising to stick by my side, I thought as I reluctantly followed her. Hopefully, I hadn't just made a big mistake.

BREAK

I relented to one drink, firmly holding that I wanted to keep a clear mind despite Rose insisting that I needed to 'loosen up.' When I suggested throwing her over my shoulder and leaving instead, she huffed and gave up. Despite my decision to limit my drinking, or perhaps to spite me because of it, Rose wasn't content with one cocktail. After she finished her first drink, I made her finish a full glass of water and slow down on the second. Still, a part of me was glad Rose was content for the moment. The longer we stayed upstairs in the booth, the longer it would be before she dragged me down to the dance floor.

It was inevitable, however. I was able to keep us upstairs for about an hour, but the more tipsy Rose became, the more she began to dance in her seat until it became clear that the booth would no longer contain her.

"Can we go down now?" Rose asked, eyes slightly glazed as she pleaded.

I hesitated for only a moment, but she caught it, and I saw her excitement dim. She probably thought I would protest again, and while I probably should have, I decided to let her have her fun. "Okay, but remember: you stay by my side, okay? I don't want to lose you down there."

She let out a sharp laugh. "Don't worry, I'll stay close. Plus, if you lose me, then I'll just find you. You're, like, a full head taller than everyone else. Now, let's go dance!"

The crowd on the main floor had looked packed from the balcony, but actually being in the crowd made it seem ten times worse. Bodies were pressed together so tightly that there wasn't room to do much more than sway and grind against one another, even if it was a total stranger. I wasn't sure it could even be considered 'dancing,' at least not in the traditional sense. It was a claustrophobic's worst nightmare.

Still, that didn't seem to bother Rose. If anything, she was feeding off the music and mass of writhing bodies around us. I moved us towards the edge of the sunken pit to give us just the smallest bit of extra breathing room, but that wasn't saying much. Still, it was better than the center of the floor, where Rose would have been swallowed within minutes.

Rose pressed her body tight against me, her back to my chest without an inch between us. Those ridiculous heels she was wearing closed our height difference slightly, making the firm swell of her ass press scandalously against my hips as she moved. I had initially balked at them, but perhaps they weren't so ridiculous after all. Almost automatically, my hands gripped her hips and guided her the same way I would if we were alone in bed rather than surrounded by dozens and dozens of people. The unrestrained way Rose moved against me would probably get us kicked out of most public places, but nobody even took a second look here. They were all caught up in the same music flowing through us to worry about anyone else.

As if to confirm the thought, I caught sight of a couple a few feet away from us. They were pressed just as tightly as Rose and I were, but where both of my hands were clearly visible, one of his was hidden under his date's low, scooping neckline. And again, not a single person seemed to care. Even I didn't, at least not when I felt Rose's arm lift to circle around the back of my neck and pull me down to offer a deep kiss that left the rest of the world behind us.

I squeezed her hips and pulled her even tighter to me, making her gasp against my mouth at the sudden pressure. It quickly melted into a moan, reverberating through me even though the sound was lost to the hot, heavy air.

We stayed like that for what felt like hours as the beat moved seamlessly from one song into another until they all flowed together like waves on a beach. Pushing and pulling, rising and falling, fast and slow, lulling us into a deep trance that washed away shame and decorum until all we were left with primal heat.

At some point, Rose turned in my arms. Her eyes had fallen half closed, not with exhaustion but with the heavy pull of lust. I'm sure my gaze echoed a similar refrain. I knew I should ask if she was ready to leave so we could finally give in to the promises our body had been making all night, but I wasn't ready to let go of her quite yet. I'm not sure when it happened, but I had gone from being hesitant about being here to being desperate to stay and keep her next to me.

Her arms rested on my shoulders, one hand playing with the hair at the nape of my neck and sending electric shivers pulsing up and down my spine. With a growl, I leaned down to kiss her neck. Not a sweet little kissf, but something deeper. Something heavy with desire. Sucking, biting, leaving marks on her that may not be visible under the flashing lights here in the club but would undoubtedly serve as a reminder in the morning.

She whimpered, a familiar sound that betrayed her neediness. She wanted more, and despite being surrounded by hundreds of strangers, I intended to give it to her. I pressed my thigh between her legs as my hands slipped from her hips to grasp her ass and pull her against it. Instinct took over for her immediately, and she began to grind gently against the pressure I had offered her.

"That's it, Roza," I whispered low into her ear. "Take what you need."

She nodded slightly, the only indication that she had heard me.

I watched her face as she used me. Her eyes drifted closed over and over again as her breathing started coming in soft little pants. God, she was so beautiful like this. I'd never get over the sight of Rose finding her pleasure.

Perhaps the fact that anyone could look over at us and see her this way should've turned me off. A possessive voice in the back of my mind growled at the thought, but another part of me was thrilled by the idea. I almost wanted them to see what we were doing. I wanted them to see how I was driving Rose crazy. I wanted them to see how I was making her feel until they either envied me or envied her. Or perhaps they'd envy us both. I had never considered myself an exhibitionist before, but drunk on the electric pulse of the club around us and the feeling of Rose in my arms had apparently shed me of any sense of propriety.

A second later, I felt Rose's body stiffen under my hands as she threw her head back, eyes shut tight. I slammed my mouth against hers, stealing the cry I knew would immediately follow as she came apart.

Holy shit. Rose had just orgasmed in the middle of hundreds of people.

I would have expected a rush of shame or guilt or self-consciousness to smother me, but I only wanted one thing—more. I wanted more. No, I needed more.

"I need you," I whispered against Rose's skin. "Now."

Rose's afterglow dulled her reaction slightly, but when my words broke through, she pulled back and looked at me with a wide-eyed gaze. Her pupils were still dilated, blown wide with the lingering effects of her climax and making it hard to see if they were laced with bewilderment or excitement. Either way, it was clear that she was taken aback.

"What? she asked, glancing around as if only now realizing how many people surrounded us. "Now?"

I nodded, pulling her attention back towards me and forcing a kiss that would hopefully wipe away any hesitation. When she melted into me, I drew back just enough so my lips barely brushed against hers. "Yes. I swear, if I'm not inside you within the next five minutes, I'm going to go crazy."

"The hotel is twenty minutes away," she replied, half-dazed.

"I know." I let my hand trace her curves, starting at the curve of her breast and brushing my thumb across the area where I knew her nipples were hidden but most likely peaked with arousal, then all the way down past her hips until my fingers danced at the hem of her short dress. "I don't care."

The silence between us lingered as I waited, the thrumming base counting each moment that passed while she took in what I was asking of her. Finally, she nodded. "Where?"

I grasped her hand in mine and pulled her from the dance floor. I didn't have an answer for her yet, but I intended to find one as soon as possible. I wasn't lying when I told her that I needed her. I was usually a paradigm of self-control, but Rose was my Achilles heel. One word, one glance, one touch—that's all it took for my resolve to fall apart.

Beyond all logic, the club was even busier than before. In the back of my mind, I had to question if this place had broken some sort of fire or occupancy code with how packed it was. It wasn't just the main dance floor that was filled anymore. The surrounding area was, too. It seemed like there wasn't a single inch that wasn't occupied...at least on the lower level.

I glanced up towards the VIP section overlooking the area. A few people were watching the crowd, especially as the tempo picked up again and a remix of a vaguely familiar song started. It wasn't an ideal space, but it would have to do. Plus, considering how comfortable some of the other VIPs had been with their affections earlier, I doubted anyone would pay us much mind.

As we passed the bouncer at the bottom of the steps with nothing more than a nod of recognition, we scrambled up the stairs hand in hand. Almost as if to confirm my earlier thoughts, we were immediately greeted by couples who seemed nearly as desperate as we were. While partially hidden under the table, I could still see the woman's hand palming the man over his trousers as he took advantage of her exposed neckline. A few booths away was another couple, this time with the woman sitting questionably on the man's lap. It could have been nothing, but the way the woman squirmed while her lover groped at her breasts made me suspicious. None of the staff seemed concerned, however. They turned a blind eye to the whole thing. The bartender doled out drinks as fast as the patrons could order them while the bouncers focused on ensuring that only the 'right' people made it past the stairs. Perhaps the only people who noticed were the roving wait staff refilling champagne glasses, and if they did see anything amiss, they didn't say a thing and feigned ignorance instead.

I scanned the area, debating between a booth and the small, darkened alcove that was barely noticeable if you weren't looking. Still, even I wasn't bold enough to take Rose under the gaze of others. That's when I noticed a break in the padded walls. It was one of the bathrooms I had seen earlier in the night. That would have to do.

"Come on," I said, urging Rose to follow behind me with a tug of her hand. I heard her giggle, apparently amused by my impatience as she skipped behind me to keep up.

Thankfully, I lucked out. Not only was the restroom empty, but it was also single occupancy with a deadbolt lock. It mimicked the club at large with its opulent lighting, high-end finishes, and low light. While I would typically find it odd and unnecessary, it seemed like perfection right now.

As soon as I pulled Rose inside, I pushed the door close and flipped the lock. That barely audible click broke the last threads of our sanity, and we came together in a mess of desperate lips and grasping limbs. No words were spoken, only begging moans demanding more. We stumbled slightly as I guided Rose towards the black marble sink until it dug into her back, forcing her to arch into me. Quickly slipping my hands down to grasp at the skirt of her teasing black dress, I pulled it up past her hips only to find that there was nothing underneath it.

"Naughty girl," I scolded, even though I was anything but upset by the revelation. I grasped her by the waist and lifted her up onto the counter as she let out a little squeal. I didn't bother shushing her. It wasn't as if anyone could hear us. Somehow, the music seemed just as loud here as it had outside. Perhaps it was the echo. Whatever the reason, I knew it would hide the little noises I loved drawing out of my Roza. Or perhaps I would try to make her cries ring out louder. It was almost an enticing challenge.

Spreading Rose's legs and stepping into the space, I slipped a hand down between us and traced my fingers across her slit, only to groan when I realized how wet she really was. Hot slickness covered my fingers as I spread her pussy and found her swollen clit. She winced when I brushed against the tight nub, apparently still sensitive from her earlier climax, but it didn't dissuade me. I lightened my touch slightly but offered no other reprieve as I teased her with quick, little circles between the slow, shallow thrusts of my fingers.

It didn't take me long before the all-encompassing need to taste her took over my better senses. I pulled her to the very edge of the countertop before kneeling on the tiled floor, not caring about whatever grime might be there. Instead, my entire focus was on the nirvana between her thighs as I threw her legs over my shoulders and began to feast.

Her heels bit into my back as she rocked against my tongue, mewling as she chased her next high. I lavished her with flat-tongued licks across her entire sex, smiling as she reached out to grasp my hair and hold me exactly where she wanted me. My Roza was a demanding lover, and I adored her for it. She wasn't shy about what she needed, and I was all too willing to comply. Anything. I would do anything to please her.

That wasn't to say she wouldn't return my efforts, but we both knew at this point that half of my pleasure just came from watching hers. There was a peculiar pride in it. An addicting power in making her come with just my mouth and hands. I reveled in it. I needed it as much as she needed it.

"Yes," she hissed between her teeth, riding my face a little harder. "Right there. Oh god, right there."

I gave her clit one more hard suck before forcing my tongue deeper into her core, coaxing out sweetness until my face was covered in her. Seconds later, her thighs tensed and trembled against my temples as a rush of pleasure overcame her. As soon as I felt her body relax, I stood, quickly unlatching my belt, pulling down my zipper, and pulling my pants down just far enough for them to hang precariously off my hip.

Rose was still in her blissed-out post-orgasmic haze when I pulled her down from the counter and flipped her over. I pressed on her back, bending her over until she could barely touch the floor with her toes. I gave her exposed ass a quick smack, light enough to surprise her without leaving any sting, and she tilted her hips up in an enticing offer.

With one last check to make sure that she was wet enough, I pushed my nearly painful erection into her in one swift movement. It took nothing at all for me to bottom out, and I held myself still for a moment. I wanted to relish this moment after months of being unable to feel that tight heat around me. It hardly mattered that we were hidden in a public bathroom in the middle of a nightclub. She still felt perfect. This moment, as inappropriate as it could be considered, was perfect.

Rose's body was flattened against the countertop, skirt flipped up high as her folded arms to create a soft cradle against her flushed cheeks while she tried to catch her breath. It made for such a pretty picture that I tried to commit the image to memory. I wanted her to see it, too. I wanted her to see what we looked like together, crazed in our need for one another.

Wrapping my hand in her long curls, I pulled gently until she looked up and met my gaze in the mirror. Heat burned in both of our eyes.

I pulled my hips back until only the tip of my cock remained inside her, but before she could protest the loss, I thrusted deep again. The sudden movement made her hips jolt roughly into the counter, but she didn't so much as flinch. Instead, she smiled and let out a long, satisfied moan. We hadn't had the time to explore it much, but a part of me suspected that Rose enjoyed a little bite with her bliss. She certainly seemed to be enjoying it now.

Her eyes fluttered close, and I gave her hair a sharp tug.

"Eyes open, Roza. I want you to see how beautiful you are. You're such a naughty girl, aren't you? Teasing me all night until I couldn't control myself any longer. Letting me take you like this, with dozens of people on the other side of the door." I smirked, making sure that she knew I wasn't upset or blaming her in any way. In fact, I loved it. I loved her. I loved this moment between us. Leaning down, I curled myself over her body until I could whisper into her ear. "Do you think they'll hear you when I make you come again? Let's see, shall we?"

I gave her another hard thrust, one hand on her hips while the other remained tangled in her hair. Then another. And another. Each trust came harder and faster than the one before as I fed off the little whimpers and moans that spilled from her.

It didn't take long before we were both on the precipice and while I might have pulled back any other time so I could tease her and extend the moment, I knew we both couldn't hold back much longer. Already, I could feel her body starting to clench tight around me.

Finally, I felt her orgasm, her body almost shaking with the force of it, and I was right there behind her a moment later. With one last thrust, I came hard. Really hard. So hard that I swore I saw stars. By the time my vision cleared, we were both spent. It felt like I had run a marathon, and it looked like Rose might have felt the same with her heavy pants and flushed face.

I gave her one last kiss against her neck, unable to resist a small nip as well, before whispering, "Good girl, Roza. I love you so much."

She shivered as I pulled out. Reaching over to snatch one of the paper napkins from the nearby dispenser, I quickly cleaned myself. The rough texture made me grimace, and when I saw Rose reach for a napkin, I closed my hand over hers and pulled it back. "Wait. Let me."

I turned on the faucet, letting the water warm slightly before pulling a napkin out and wetting them so they would hopefully be a little more comfortable. After I cleaned Rose up and tugged her dress back down, I helped her off the counter. I had to steady her legs as she tried to stand on her own once more. Eventually, she found her balance again, and I almost laughed as I watched her start to run her fingers through her hair in some useless attempt to make it look like she hadn't just been thoroughly fucked. I knew it wouldn't matter, though. The moment we stepped out the door, I knew it would only take one look for people to guess precisely what we had done. I wondered if I would feel embarrassed about it tomorrow, but I couldn't care less right now. Perhaps I even wanted them to know, as twisted as that was.

"Let's head back to the hotel."

Rose looked at me, a look of amused disbelief there as she chuckled. "Now you want to go back?"

When she playfully smacked my chest, I caught her arm and pulled her into a hug. "I mean, I guess I can strip you down and bend you over the counter again if you want. But I think a bed might be a little more comfortable this time, don't you."

Her eyes went wide, and she stumbled over some sort of reply.

"Did you think I was done with you, Roza?" I cut in before she could say anything. "I told you I planned to tear that dress off you tonight, and it still appears to be in one piece. I'm a man of my word, so the moment I get you back to the room, I plan to rip that thing to shreds."

My promise hung heavy in the air for a moment before Rose grabbed my hand and flicked the lock on the door open. Glancing back towards me, she only offered me two words.

"Let's go."

Author's Note

Thank you all for being so patient with my delayed update. Hopefully, this extra long chapter makes up for it a little bit. Thank you for reading, and I hope life is treating all of you well. By the way, I apologize for any formatting issues. Apparently, this site isn't a big fan of large documents so just let me know in the comments if something looks strange to you.