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She could pick out scent notes of amber and patchouli through the tang of sweat and liquor circulating in the air. Katie wasn’t sure what she was supposed to do next or where she should go now that she was inside. She took a step inside the lobby and a second man in black stopped her.
Shit.
“Welcome to the masquerade, miss.” He led her gently by the elbow. “Member check-in is this way.”
“Oh, thank you.” Keeping her cool, she smiled with relief. “It’s my first time here.”
“I can tell.” He smiled back at her. “Did you bring your invitation with you? You won’t be permitted to enter without it.”
They reached a desk and stopped. She pulled the piece of black vellum from her bag. “I did.”
“Very good, miss. Axel will take care of you from here.” He winked. “Enjoy the ball.”
He was as big as a mountain—a mountain of solid muscle covered in skin. Did everyone dress in black here? Axel, as least she presumed that’s who it was, came behind the desk that was more like an elegant hotel check-in counter. He gave her a quick glance and flipped a monitor on.
Double shit.
“Good evening, Miss…I don’t know your name.”
“Katie.”
“Miss Katie, may I see your invitation, please.”
Katie willed her hand to stop trembling and handed it to him.
“ID.”
She handed him Kelly’s driver’s license and crossed her fingers in her head.
He looked at it and then up at her masked face. “I thought you said your name was Katie. This says Kelly.”
Shit. Shit. Shit.
“Uh…um…I don’t go by Kelly. My middle name is Katherine.” She paused. “Yeah. So, Katie.”
He smirked. “I see.”
The raise of his brow told her he didn’t buy it, but he tapped on the keyboard and glanced at the monitor in front of him.
“Your name isn’t in our member database…” He cleared his throat. “Miss, er, Katie. Who are you here as a guest of?”
And Katie was sure he already knew that. The man was fucking with her and enjoying it.
Asshole!
She couldn’t say Brendan. Katie had a feeling that wouldn’t go over with him very well. She had to give him a name quick. It just tumbled out of her mouth.
“Linnea.”
Axel crossed his huge arms over his chest and grinned. “Linnea Byrne?”
Which cousin was she married to? Kayden? No. Ryan? No. Fuck!
“Yes, Linnea Byrne—she just got back from her honeymoon in Hawaii.” Katie cocked her head and grinned back at him. “I’m her cousin.”
Why did she say that?
He nodded. “Let me check your coat and I’ll have someone escort you to VIP and your, um, cousin.”
