Alana
Three days left.There may as well have been a clock in her head, a time bomb, ticking down, waiting for the explosion.She tapped her pen on the desk, the rhythmic sound protruding into her brain, invading her thoughts.She needed to block it out.Shit, no, she needed to listen.
She turned her attention back to the man sitting in front of her.Heath.A hedge fund guy, who had a ton of high-profile clients.Enough to make him a billionaire.She should’ve paid attention in math class.Rick had recommended him for membership.She shouldn’t have favorites, but Rick was one of them, and he’d been vetted, so this was his final interview stage, and she wasn’t even listening to him.She would make millions from his membership if he stayed for the long run, and yet she couldn’t even give him the time of day.
Focus, Alana, she scolded herself.
“So, yeah,” he said, crossing one leg over the other.“That’s what I do, as I’m sure you already know and it’s clear I’m boring you.”He said the last part with a smile.It crinkled his eyes.He looked to be in his early forties, with a bit of grey sprinkled in his hair, but he was good-looking, and he clearly took care of himself.
She smiled politely.“Boring?Of course not, Heath.Now, Rick put you forward as a recommendation for membership, and now the checks have been completed and I’ve met you in person, I’m more than happy to offer you a place here.”She brought out his gold card with his name on it from her drawer.She always liked to have it prepared.It added a more personal touch to the meeting.They felt special, like they were a part of something special.And they were.
She’d found something special here...
Him.Drew.
She had to fight to keep it.
Heath’s words came flooding through her longings.“So, there’s a bar here?Fancy a drink?”
Silence.
“Alana?”
She shook her head.“I’m sorry, I’m not usually like this, you’ll have to forgive me.Personal stuff,” she said, waving a hand.
“Well, from what I can see and from what I’ve been told, you have many powerful people in your pocket, some even in the palm of your hands, I’m sure.Use them, if you can.Your members speak very highly of you.”
She looked at him then.Like she was looking at him for the first time.He had kind eyes and wise words.He was right—she had a whole network of people at her disposal, and not just people, powerful people with resources, and she should use them.
“Consider your first month of membership on the house, Heath.”
He frowned.“Why?”
“Because you’ve spoken words I needed to hear.Sometimes you just can’t see clearly until someone spells it out for you.That just so happened to be you today.”She offered him a smile, a genuine one, no hint of professional Alana hoping to secure another client.
“Well, I’m glad I can help.”He stood, flipping his card over in his hands.“And you know, you can count me on that list of people now.I’m a good reader of people, and I like what I see.”
His words could be misconstrued as flirting, but she saw them for what they were.Respect.She shook his outstretched hand and watched him leave.
As soon as the door closed, she logged into her computer, into her email, and drafted a message.A message to those powerful people, her friends.
I need your help, your resources.You’re all my friends and anything you can do for me will be greatly appreciated.I’ll owe you a favor and you can call on me when you need it.Anytime.There’s a gang in New York and they’ve come to collect a debt.A debt that cannot be paid.You can use your...
She ceased her frenzied typing when her office door opened once more.She expected to see Heath there, maybe he’d forgotten something, but there was a man she didn’t recognize, with curly hair and wild eyes.
“Hello, Alana.I see you’re typing a message.But I’m afraid that one can’t be sent.And I’m here to deliver one on behalf of Max.”
She clicked the send button before she even knew what she was doing.It hadn’t been sent to half the people she’d wanted.But it had gone to a few trusted members of the club like Josh, Rick, and Lily, and a few more people on her payroll who could help.
She didn’t know if it would be enough.It had to be.
A sound like a growl escaped the man’s lips.“Well now, aren’t you quick off the mark, little lady?You’ve got bigger balls than some of our members.Max might have some use for you after he’s done with you.”
His words sent a stab of dread through her body, but she wouldn’t show it.Wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.She held her head high, all the while fumbling her shaking hand for the button underneath her desk.One that she typically used to communicate with the bar staff.If she could just get them to hear her—
“Stop that or I’ll kill him.”
Drew.She knew he would.She ceased fumbling and held her arms down by her sides.“I’ll go willingly.Don’t make a scene.”
