Chapter 56
MASKED MAYHEM
Afternoon Day 28
The steam from the hot bath rose around me as I scrolled through the Kitty Kat Ranch's social media feed on my phone. I found the post about the fundraiser for Hunie and clicked on it. They needed another forty-eight hundred to receive any of the money. I sighed. I clicked on the donate button and entered my bank card info. Who needed money anyway? Plus, Alejandro had more for me. If I survived tonight. I donated the remaining amount needed and hoped Hunie was resting in peace and her grandmother could eat for a good long while.
A text from Jonny came through but I scrubbed, washed and dried myself before looking at my phone. My pre-ritual bath wasn't necessary but it helped me focus and my Magic always went smoother when I was more focused.
His text read: We are all meeting for dinner in the banquet room. Your friend can help you get dressed.
Help me get dressed? I opened the door and Destiny was standing in my bedroom holding a dress box. I raised my eyebrows at her.
Her dress was stunning. A skin-tight leather that gathered at the hip, leaving one side baring her thigh and smooth long leg. The leather top was a tight corset and her boobs looked amazing.
"You're ready for the ritual." I told her.
She smiled and thrust the box at me. "The Zantana family has good taste."
"I was going to wear this vintage nightgow-" I held up the sparkly silver dress from the box and gasped. "It's so pretty." I walked into the closet and held the dress to my front in the mirror.
"It's fucking gorgeous. Wear the nightgown underneath. I think we're going to eat first."
"I'm supposed to eat in this?"
She laughed and moved away from the doorway. "Get dressed and I'll help you do your makeup. It'll be like old times at the ranch."
An hour, a blunt, a smoky closet and many giggles later, we had finished our makeup on the floor in front of the large mirror. Destiny helped me zip up the back of the dress. It was form-fitting but the stiffness of the fabric tucked everything in and smoothed my curves. My nightgown had fit perfectly underneath and I opted for black converse, in case I had to move quickly. The dress screamed at me to wear a heel but I just couldn't do it, knowing Jess would try to come find me tonight. I needed to be able to run.
Destiny understood and she too had chosen a well loved pair of combat boots instead of her fetish heels. She dug in her bag and fished out an intricate lace mask that covered most of the face. She handed it to me.
I grabbed it gingerly and gave her a questioning look.
"We'll all be wearing one. The Zantana brothers think it will help confuse Jess." She laughed. "But no one is going to miss that hair of yours." She held up her mask. A sleek leather one shaped into the face of a fox. "It'll be fun." She encouraged.
We both put on our masks and left the bedroom.
Ben sat on the couch and stood when we entered the room. His eyes didn't leave Destiny and I briefly wondered how he was supposed to keep an eye on me. Not that I was his problem.
We walked outside and more of Jonny's men escorted us into the Lodge. The sun was setting and I shivered from the chill. The grounds were covered with men and I wondered how Jess was going to find her way to me but we were mere mortals compared to her supernatural...ness.
We are led to a room I didn't know existed, at the far end of the Lodge. Men opened the doors and we entered. Jonny was sitting at the head of a long table, Diego at the other end. Couples sat around it with him. The decor and ambiance reminded me of a very elegant wedding reception. Jonny didn't tell me he was throwing a party.
The men at the table stood as we approached and Jonny held out the chair to his left for me to sit down.
Destiny sat next to me and Ben sat on the other side of her.
Jonny placed his hand on my thigh. "You look amazing." He said quietly as other people entered the room. A couple sat at our long table and others found their names on the little papers by the plates and chatted with their table companions. All of the women wore masks. Maybe it was for their anonymity sake too?
I smiled nervously.
Jonny pulled my chair closer to him and whispered in my ear, sending chills down my neck. "We thought a party would be a good distraction to keep Jess busy while you do the ritual." He glanced around the room and grinned at me.
I nodded nervously and grabbed a champagne flute as a server came by with a tray. I looked around the table at the chatting couples. "Where's Bishop?"
"He'll be here later. We have some club business to take care of first." Jonny replied as he texted on his phone.
I leaned over to Destiny and whispered, "There's a lot more people here than I thought there would be."
"It's a big occasion." She sipped her champagne.
Victor and Brooke came into the room and the men at the table stood. Another couple followed behind them. Everyone who knew each other shook hands and hugged before taking a seat.
Jonny introduced everyone as food was brought in on trays and set on the table.
Destiny looked at me and raised her eyebrows. "Lush." Destiny did love the finer things in life. Her clientele was typically men in very nice suits.
Diego's voice carried across the table. "I'd like to say a few things before we talk about the ritual." He stood, wearing a really nice suit.
The crowded room hushed and everyone took their seats and looked at Diego.
I grabbed two more glasses of champagne and handed one to Destiny while Diego spoke.
"It feels like yesterday we were just kids."
The men around the room nodded and made noises of agreement.
