“So here’s the deal.” Lara leaned forward, her cleavage beaming straight to Alicia’s averted eyes. “We take care of our own in our organization. We patronize each other’s businesses as much as we can, and we invest. A lot. Ask this woman how much she’s bled dry from me over the past six months.”
“Real estate and sex. Two of my favorite things.” Well, one of those things was. Real estate could be interesting too. Alicia would have to look more into it.
“Not just that. We have several members of our organization from different business backgrounds. Our latest member owns a publishing company in New York.”
“So, what’s the catch?”
“No catch. Unless a ten-million-dollar buy-in fazes you.”
“What is that money for?”
“Other than to secure your interests? The money is distributed as investments to the other members. Naturally, once you’re a member, you will partake in everyone’s membership fees from then on.”
“Is this even legal?”
“If she can run a brothel and not get arrested,” Lara said, jerking her thumb toward Monique, “then we’re a respectable organization.”
“So are we.” Alicia could jerk her thumb, too. Right at the letterhead on her desk that saidMOREAU.
“Precisely. We don’t expect an answer from you right away, but we wanted to break the ice, so to speak. We can talk over lunch?”
“Unfortunately, I am booked for lunch today. I’ll have my assistant look into a more fortuitous day.”
“Please do.” Lara sat back in her seat again. “Only know that we are deeply interested in having you as a member, Mrs. Moreau,” she said that name with a tinge of sarcasm.At least I know that’s her personality by now.Alicia didn’t know howmuch to trust either of these women. That knowledge would come in time, however, because right now, everything was a huge learning experience. “We hope that you are interested in working with us as well.”
Alicia didn’t want to play her hands quite yet. Her wife’s words, however, repeated in the back of her mind.“One of the first things we need to do is get some powerful people on your side. Charm and schmooze anyone you come across. If you can get their money, even better. Make them love you, Alicia. Make them love you as much as I love you… in a different way, of course. I don’t want to get jealous.”
These women didn’t know what the Moreaus were planning, however. They had their hands in plenty of cookie jars, but they weren’tthatgood. There was a reason Danica Moreau was considered one of the sneakiest women in the industry. If her father wasn’t supposed to know about it, then random billionaires off the street weren’t, either.
“I’ll certainly think on it, and am interested in learning more.” The craziest thing was knowing she had enough money for the buy-in now. Shortly before marrying, Danica had created a special bank account for her. Already, there was fifty million languishing, waiting for more money from her and some of Alicia’s first earnings – whether they came through sales or investments, it didn’t matter. “Thank you for expressing an interest in me.”
“Hm.” Lara extended her hand across the desk. “The pleasure is all mine, Mrs. Moreau.”
Monique also shook Alicia’s hand again. They waited for Lara to go and wait on the other side of the office before conversing again.
“Your wife’s assistant continues to blow up my phone, Mrs. Moreau,” Monique said. She rearranged her stole beforestanding. Alicia stood as well. “The question is, why are you and your wife so interested in contacting me?”
“Er, well…” Alicia didn’t feel like blushing now, yet she seemed to have little choice in the matter. “My wife believes that you and I should get together and talk… shop.”
“Ah. Wouldn’t happen to be of the non-work variety, would it?”
“I believe it’s quite personal.” Alicia pulled over a notepad. The first note she ever wrote with the $2,000 fountain pen engraved with her new married name. “This is the name of my new assistant. She’ll be in contact with you to set things up, if you are okay with that.”
“I’m quite fine with it.” Monique took the note. “I will see you around, Mrs. Moreau.”
Abby awaited the women on the other side of the door. The assistant did not come in to see her boss until both Mrs. Anderssen and Mrs. Warner were escorted to the elevator.
“Have you managed to do any of that research for me yet?” Alicia asked. She hoped she didn’t sound too desperate. “That luncheon is only getting closer.”
The assistant sighed. “I’m sorry, ma’am, I’ve been spending the past half hour trying to get my own stuff together. I’ll get on it right away.”
Alicia shook her head. “Don’t worry about it. Let’s go.”
“Right now?”
“I can’t stand to be around here anymore.” Alicia grabbed her purse and tablet. “One thing about being a hostess was that I was always on my feet.”Now I’m on my ass and on my knees every day.“Helps clear my mind.”
Abby said nothing as she followed her boss out of the office. Dee, however, was quick to quip about all the upheaval going on and how amusing it was. At least someone was having a good time.
