She didn’t speak when we made it to the elevators, and I noted that they weren’t the main bank that I’d used last night with Rhett. These were larger, looking more like a service entrance. When they opened, Dora hurried in, and I followed.
We remained silent as she hit the button for B, which I assumed was forbasement. At no point did she ask about me, and I was actually grateful for her lack of “giving a fuck.” It was exactly what I needed.
When we stepped out into what looked like a massive underground parking lot, she took a sharp left, and we moved along a small pathway until we reached a nondescript door. It all but blended into the surrounding wall, and I wondered what was on the other side.
It opened as soon as Dora swiped a card over the security panel. When we entered the next space, I couldn’t help but look around, worried that we were about to head outside. I wasn’t sure what instructions Rhett had given the cleaning crew supervisor, and I’d really hate to get her killed ten minutes into knowing me.
Maybe it was crazy to imagine that Angelo had people surrounding this building, but it was stupid to completely underestimate a family as powerful as that one. Better to expect the worst and be pleasantly surprised, rather than the opposite.
Luckily, on the other side was just a massive parking lot, seemingly just for buses, if the three massive, shiny rigs there were any indication. They were parked in a row before a secured garage door. “These are our buses,” Dora said, speaking for the first time. “The largest of the three is for Bellerose.” She pointed to the first in the line, and I took in the futuristic looking model. It was black, silver, and purple, and while there wasn’t super-obvious branding for the band on it, it still looked like a famous band’s bus. The windows down the sides were heavily tinted, and even the front windshield was darker than usual. “The second bus is the rest of their support band, backup singers, and whoever else helps them put on an amazing show. And the third is for security and the remaining crew, which includes us. You’ll get a bunk in there since there’s one or two to spare.”
“Perfect,” I said, excited that I’d have a safe space to sleep for another few days.
Dora nodded. “Yep. Come on, let’s get going.” She smiled wider as we approached the first bus. “You know, I really love when we stay in this particular hotel. They’re popular with the band set because of all their security, which includes these bus spaces away from the public. It really makes our job easier. We’ll have the entire day to get these three buses ready for tomorrow.”
“I’ve never worked for anyone famous,” I admitted. “I can only imagine it leads to some issues when they’re being all but stalked by the general population.”
Dora snorted. “You have no idea. I’ve woken up to groupies in my bed before. They don’t seem to care who they get close to, all in the small hope that we are the path to Bellerose.”
“Seriously?” I gasped. “How do they get past security?”
“It’s rare, but it happens. They had an issue for a year or so with members of their security allowing groupies in for… well, whatever they were exchanging for it. Same with the cleaning crew. It’s why they now basically keep the same vetted crew for everything. It’s been fairly peaceful since then, but the occasional fan manages to find their way inside.”
I couldn’t imagine living a life like that. Mine had definitely been hard, but at least I never expected people would use me to get in with my famous friend. No wonder Jace was so guarded. Everyone else in this life was probably just out for his money and fame.
Add that to his already panty-melting face and voi—
No! Billie. Get your horny self together.Jace fucking hated me, and considering he had now been conditioned to think everyone was using him, I knew he’d never trust my motives. Best to just wipe him from mind and get back to the real world as soon as possible.
Thankfully, Dora put me to work soon after. The third bus we entered was stocked up with all the cleaning supplies in a set of cupboards under the kitchen table. “You can start on the second bus,” she told me. “And I’ll come in and check your work after an hour. I’ll focus on Bellerose’s since I need it done to the top level. Mr. Adams likes things done to a high standard.”
I hid a smirk. Jace’d had just the faintest touch of germaphobia since he was eight, after he’d caught a bacterial infection that made him shit his pants in public. Explosively.
He really should be nicer to me; I had some stories that the media would kill for.
“No worries.” And it really wasn’t. I didn’t need to see where the band slept while on the road. Not to mention where they possibly brought their groupies. They might stop groupies fromsneakingin, but that didn’t mean they weren’tinvited. As demonstratedloudlylast night.
Shaking off the memories of PornHub screams in HD, I made my way into the second bus in the lineup. Dora spent about five minutes running over the basics, but there wasn’t that much to it. Just vacuum, mop, dust, wipe everything down, make up beds with freshly starched linens, and restock the two tiny bathrooms. “We will restock the food later,” she said as she headed toward the exit. “Call out if you need anything.”
When she was gone, I released a long breath. Weirdly, since this wasn’t a legit job, I still had some new-job nerves. It was always the same until I settled into a job and understood how it all worked.
It was nice to be on my own, though, no one looking over my shoulder as I went about my tasks.
Well used to working quickly and efficiently, I got straight into it, taking extra care to make everything shiny. I polished the windows, the table, and walls and made sure the small kitchenette was sparkling too. When I moved to the bunks, I saw that there were ten along both sides of the wall, each not much bigger than a coffin. Lucky I wasn’t claustrophobic, if I had to sleep in something similar in the other bus.
There were clean sheets and bedding in my cart of supplies, so I got to work changing out the current sheets that were bundled there, clearly from the last time they slept in here. When the beds were all made, I was starting to get a little hot and sweaty, but after a quick sip of water from the tap, I continued on.
Two hours later, the bus was as shiny as I could make it. The small bathroom had all the toiletries restocked, and I made sure not a trace of dirt or dust remained.
“Billie!”
I turned at the exclamation from behind me.
Dora stood at the top of the stairs, looking around with a huge smile on her face. “I am impressed,” she said slowly, still taking it all in. “Nice to see a young person not afraid of hard work.”
I almost laughed since she didn't look much older than me. “I appreciate this job more than I can say.” It was literally a life saver.
“Well,Iappreciate the hard work, even if you are leaving us again in a few days.” She glanced down at her watch. “Kristie should be here in a minute with the food and beverage supplies, and then we can break for lunch.”
