“No, it won’t,” I whisper. My voice is clogged with unshed tears. I’m on the verge of breaking down in a rental, and Rex is probably watching me on a screen somewhere.
I step outside and stand on the stoop, near where Rex had dropped one of his victims, and watch the birds swoop down to the feeder. My phone rings, startling me. The birds burst up in an explosion of startled caws and beating wings, flying through the dusky air.
The call is from an unknown number. Probably Rex on a burner phone, but I answer cautiously. “Hello?”
“Ms. Ramos?” The voice is masculine and deep but not as rich and gorgeous as Rex’s.
“Who’s calling?”
“Apologies. I’m calling on behalf of Club Empire. You left a message at the front desk asking to speak with the owner.”
“Yes. That’s correct.” I never expected another call after Rex told me he was one of the owners. Does he know about this? “I’m Inara Ramos.”
“Excellent.” He’s not Rex, but the praise raises goosebumps on my arms. “I’m one of the owners, Sebastian St. James.”
“Do I know you?”
“Not officially. I was in attendance at the NRPD ball but didn’t get the pleasure of making your acquaintance.”
I squint into the gloom, trying to remember if I saw him. I pull the phone from my ear and do a search for “New Rome Sebastian St. James.” I study the picture of a lean man with light skin and hair but can’t place him. He has the sort of face that would blend in with the gala crowd.
I put the phone back to my ear.
“I’d like to rectify that,” he’s saying. “I reviewed your file, Swallow. I understand you prefer to scene with a different partner each time.”
“Pardon?” I say to buy time because I’m thrown by the turn of conversation. My file at the club contains sensitive information, from up-to-date blood test results to details about the IUD I use for birth control.
“I hope it’s not overstepping to offer myself as a potential partner. I think we’d be compatible. I must admit, Ms. Ramos, you’ve intrigued me. ”
“Um, thank you?” My tone is questioning and steeped in suspicion.
He laughs. “I know this is unorthodox, but I never subscribe to the ordinary. I wouldn’t co-own a sex club if I did. I’m hoping to meet you and go from there.”
I keep quiet. The only reason I was digging into Club Empire was to get more intel on Rex. St. James is his business partner. He’ll be able to give me more information.
Unless he’s as cagey as Rex.
“I am willing to meet,” I say finally. “On the condition that you answer a few questions.”
“When it comes to our platinum members, I’m an open book.”
I very much doubt it. But a million-dollar membership fee has to be good for something, and if St. James wants to roll out the red carpet, I’ll let him.
“I’ve made my own file available to you and can give you references if you wish to vet me. I assure you, I leave my partners well satisfied.”
And now we’ve jumped straight into innuendo. Does Rex know his business partner is calling me? That he’s interested in me?
Probably not. And when he finds out, he won’t be happy.
Excellent.
It’ll be nice to catch him off guard for once, so meeting St. James will be worth it for that reason alone.
“I’ll come tonight. But I can’t promise anything.”
“I understand perfectly. I look forward to our meeting, Swallow.”
I head back to the hotel. I should check out of Hotel Magnifique, but I keep going back. I’m enjoying living in luxury more than I should, and more than that, it’s starting to feel safe.
