They headed upstairs to the private booth — velvet couches, low table already loaded with sparkling water, mocktails, and a few fancy snacks. The view overlooked the dance floor like they were queens watching their kingdom.
Elvina flopped down first. "Okay, real talk — this place is insane."
Celia sipped her drink, eyes wide. "The lights are giving me life. I feel like I'm in a music video."
Rina giggled. "I'm lowkey scared I'll trip in these heels and face-plant in front of everyone."
Viana leaned over the railing. "Look at that guy in the white shirt trying to dance. Bro needs help."
Zara laughed softly. "Ira, you okay? You're quiet again."
Ira was staring at the crowd below, fingers twisting the hem of her dress. "It's… a lot. I keep thinking everyone's looking at me. "
Viana scooted closer. "Hey. Don't worry too much. You're with us — that's all that matters. And honestly? You look cute as hell in that dress. Own it."
Celia nodded. "For real. You're cute as hell, Ira. If I were a man—note that—I'd be drooling over you."
Ira felt shy.
Elvina said, "Let tonight be about nothing. No school, no homework, no teachers , no drama. Just us, music, and vibes."
Rina held up her phone. "I made a playlist. No sad songs. Only bangers. We're dancing — even if it's just in the booth."
---
The seven Krossvale brothers pushed through the velvet rope at **Velvet Abyss** like they owned the night. The bouncers stepped aside without a word — no one checked IDs, no one asked questions. Neon red and violet lights throbbed across black marble floors, bass pounding through chests like a second heartbeat.
Crystal chandeliers dripped from the ceiling, mirrored walls multiplying bodies into endless waves of skin and silk. Private booths lined the upper levels, half-hidden behind sheer black curtains. The dance floor writhed — girls in tight dresses, guys in designer shirts, champagne flutes catching light like knives.
The brothers moved through the crowd like sharks through water — coats open, presence parting bodies without effort.
Lucas scanned the floor, grinning wide.
"Yo, check the silver dress — that ass is insane. Bouncing like it's begging for attention."
Victor nodded toward a girl in black leather shorts.
"Damn, those legs. Long and thick. I'd wrap 'em around me and never let go."
Damon's eyes tracked a red mini-dress.
"Short skirt, fat thighs. She's screaming 'come get it' without even trying."
Ren smirked, watching a thick girl in a low-cut top. "That cleavage? I'd bury my face there and call her mommy."
Leon tilted his head at a curvy brunette.
"Hips like that? Made for grabbing. Bet she'd look good bent over."
They laughed — low, crude, hungry.
Kai walked in the center — silent, sharp, mirrored sunglasses reflecting the chaos. He scanned the room like he was cataloging inventory.
---
Vernon trailed last, head slightly lowered, long dark hair falling forward, coat open over his bare chest. He hadn't spoken since they left the mansion.
Then his gaze drifted across the upper booths — and stopped.
Ira.
Quiet in her navy dress, modest against the flashing lights. Long dark hair catching violet neon as it spilled over her shoulders. She was staring at her dancing, laughing classmates like a small, curious kitten — innocent. Radiant. Completely out of place among the glittering, predatory crowd.
Vernon's breath seized.
His heart slammed once — hard — against his ribs.
As if pulled by something invisible, Ira turned.
Her eyes found him.
And stilled.
Her breath caught too — sharp, fragile — like she'd stepped too close to fire and only just realized it burned.
For a second, the noise of the club seemed to fall away. Just that look. Just that distance between them.
Vernon lowered his gaze soon enough — before the monsters could follow the line of it and find her too.
Vernon's voice came out rough, almost forced.
"I think this club is boring."
The brothers froze.
Lucas blinked. "What?"
Vernon kept his voice steady but edged.
"I think we should go to the other one. That **Eclipse Lounge**."
Damon laughed once — incredulous. "Since when do you give a fuck about clubs?"
Ren raised an eyebrow. "Saint Vernon wants to party now?"
Victor grinned. "Woah, what happened to him?"
Leon leaned forward. "You feeling okay, bro?"
Vernon shrugged — casual, but his jaw was tight.
"The girls there are hotter — tighter dresses, better shape, better whores. Girls here aren't as hot as the ones at Eclipse."
They erupted in laughter.
Lucas laughed hard. "Holy shit! He's talking about ass and tits now!"
Damon smirked. " He's actually giving a damn about the club girls ! "
Victor chuckled. "First time I've heard him say anything like that."
Ren: "Nah, he's finally waking up."
Leon: "I'm in. Let's go where Vernon wants."
They all agreed:
" Let's hit Eclipse if Vernon says so."
They all looked at Kai.
Kai watched Vernon — long, silent, unreadable.
He knew something wasn't right with him but he didn't cared to dive further.
"Okay," Kai said simply. "Let's go."
The brothers walked away, laughing and shoving each other, already buzzing with anticipation.
Vernon followed last, head lowered beneath the sweep of neon lights. The bass thudded through the club, shaking the floor—but his chest beat harder. He wanted to look up at Ira just once more, but an invisible anxiety stopped him from doing so.
From the upper booth, Ira's eyes were locked on him, heart pounding in the flashing strobe. She felt extremely anxious.
Vernon didn't lift his gaze.
He simply walked behind the other monsters.
The seven Krossvales emerged from Velvet Abyss into the humid night, black coats catching neon glow as they strode toward the waiting matte-black SUV.
Vernon trailed last, head lowered, long hair shadowing his face. Doors opened; they slid inside without a word. The engine purred awake, tires hissed on wet asphalt, and the car vanished into the dark streets
To be continued....