“Right, it’s your first time here on a special night.” Jonah gestures to the two guys in front of us who hand over their bags. “We need to hand over our phones this time, and our bags and jackets,” Jonah explains.
“Oh, I see.” I nod, relieved I didn’t fix the camera to my jacket or blazer, but to my tie, and even more relieved that Harry’s camera is on the button of his shirt. “I get it, a safety measure.”
“Exactly.”
Just what exactly is going on today?
Once I hand over my jacket and phone, I can eventually get inside. To my surprise, it doesn’t look a lot different than usual. Granted, the bar is definitely normally on the more luxurious end, so it always looks top-notch.
I was there during casino night once, and all three floors were basically redesigned as play halls.
But today…
“Jonah,” I mutter. “Don’t get this wrong. But I am confused.”
Jonah laughs. “I know how you feel. Don’t worry. The evening is special, but you don’t see it at first glance. Come, let’s drink something.”
He leads us to a table that’s usually reserved for him. I’ve learned over the last couple of weeks that Jordan’s most loyal men always have a place here, strictly for them. He definitely knows how to buy their loyalty and make them feel special. Scary how easy it actually is.
“My round first,” I tell him. “Order whatever you want.”
“Whatever I want?” he grins. “You know I’ll be going for the expensive stuff.”
I chuckle. “That’s fine, I feel generous today. The day went too well not to be.”
“How come?” he asks curiously.
I grin. “Maybe I will tell you later.”
Jonah rolls his eyes. “Just wait, I’ll get you drunk.”
“Good luck trying!”
He buys into my act immediately, ordering two strong drinks for us, and then, for the second round, does the same. Jonah might be one of Jordan’s closest men, but he can’t hold his liquor. The guy is surprisingly easy to get drunk.
Two hours later, he is basically hanging over the table, a goofy grin on his lips. Meanwhile, I still have no idea why this evening is supposed to be special. The only thing different is the audience. There are only high-ranking customers here today, or men who look like they have a shit-ton of money. Something is definitely going on.
“Okay, I am curious,” I say. “How is this evening special?”
Jonah laughs hysterically. “You will soon see. Tell me first…”
“Tell you what?”
“Why you are in such a good mood today.”
I smirk. “Why should I tell you?”
“You said you would!”
“I said I ‘maybe’.”
“Semantics,” he slurs.
“Okay, deal,” I say. “You tell me one of your secrets. I will tell you one of mine. But make it a good one.”
Jonah’s eyes glint, and he nods. He orders another round of drinks before leaning forward. “My first job for Jordan,” he whispers. “The one I proved my loyalty with…”
“Oh…” I say. “So, he does it with all his most trusted men?”
