Scarlett didn't even hesitate.
The moment a waiter passed by with a tray of drinks, she plucked the strongest-looking cocktail she could find and downed half of it in a single breath. The burn that followed was welcome… almost necessary. She needed something, anything, to numb her to the circus unraveling around her.
Music throbbed through the yacht like a pulse, and the crowd of women had lost all inhibition. Flashing lights danced across faces smeared with glitter, drinks were spilling, and somewhere in the chaos, a woman was gleefully snorting powder off a tray offered by one of the male strippers.
Scarlett blinked slowly. What the hell had she walked into?
Layla, posted near a corner but ever-watchful, kept a tight eye on her charge, arms crossed and jaw clenched.
Scarlett took another long sip and forced herself not to gag at the syrupy strength. She turned slightly, needing to anchor herself… but then froze.
