Madly Yours (Nora Reed) novel Chapter 87

The black Maybach cruised smoothly into the heavily guarded VIP garage of the Azure Bay private club.

Nora glanced out the window, taking in the obscene display of wealth. The garage looked like a high-end auto show; every single car parked in the reserved spots cost enough to fund a normal person's life for decades.

"Where are we?" she asked.

"A friend's club," Hudson replied casually. "I brought you here to eat."

Nora shot him a suspicious look. "Just eat?"

"What else?" Hudson countered, a wicked, teasing light dancing in his dark eyes. "Unless my lovely wife had something else in mind?"

Nora's cheeks flared a brilliant pink. She whipped her head back toward the window, refusing to engage with his shameless flirting.

The basement level connected directly to a highly secure VIP corridor. The moment the private elevator chimed open, Nora was hit by an overwhelming wave of opulence. The dark marble floors were polished to a mirror finish, reflecting the warm, golden glow of the vintage wall sconces. Original, priceless artwork lined the walls, making it feel more like a museum than a club.

A valet stood at attention at the end of the hall. The second he recognized Hudson, he bowed deeply and pulled open a massive set of carved mahogany doors.

The heavy thumping of bass and a chorus of loud, masculine laughter spilled out into the hall.

The private lounge was massive, decorated in a dark, sultry European style. Plush velvet sofas surrounded a sprawling marble table under a glittering crystal chandelier. Near the floor-to-ceiling windows, a group of men were gathered around a custom pool table, drinking heavily and completely enveloped in a haze of expensive cigar smoke.

The exact moment Hudson stepped through the doorway with his hand resting on the small of Nora's back, the entire room went dead silent.

Dozens of eyes snapped toward them, wide with shock and blatant curiosity.

Sebastian Caldwell sat like a king on the main sofa, swirling a glass of amber whiskey. He glanced up, ready to shout a greeting to his friend, when his eyes snagged on the delicate woman standing by Hudson's side.

Sebastian's grip slipped, nearly dropping his expensive crystal glass onto the marble floor.

He stared at the woman. She was wearing a simple cream cardigan, faded jeans that hugged her stunning curves, and basic white sneakers. It was the most aggressively normal outfit he had ever seen inside this club.

But her face... she was breathtakingly gorgeous. A natural, luminous beauty that completely eclipsed the heavy makeup and designer gowns usually paraded through these halls.

This was Jade Reed? The infamous, spoiled terror of high society? The girl who allegedly spent her entire time in London blowing millions of dollars on designer bags and partying until dawn?

Looking at the elegant, quiet woman standing before him, Sebastian felt like his entire reality was a lie.

This was considered average looking?! This was obnoxious and wild?!

He shot a desperate look at Hudson. You married an absolute goddess and you never said a damn word about it?!

Hudson completely ignored Sebastian's existential crisis. He guided Nora to the plush sofa, gently pressing her down onto the velvet cushions before taking a glass of warm water from a passing waiter and placing it in front of her.

"Drink some water. Order whatever you want," Hudson murmured softly.

Nora nodded, picking up the glass and taking a small sip. Her large, dark eyes scanned the opulent room, taking in the shocked faces of the city's most powerful men.

Sebastian stood frozen for a solid minute before he finally snapped out of his trance.