The invitation came in the form of a text message.

“Gala. Tonight. Black dress. No panties. You’ll sit beside me.”

No greeting. No signature. Just an order.

Lila stared at her phone, pulse hammering. She reread the words three times, her thighs clenching each time. No panties. The thought alone made her breath hitch. She could barely focus the rest of the day.

By six, she stood in her apartment wearing a black silk gown that hugged her like skin. It dipped low in the ...