Page 20 of Submission

“Yes, Billy explained the schedule. It’s no problem. I like to keep busy.”

I give Billy a silent look, which he can totally read. Out of everyone in the club, he’s the person I’ve had the most conversations with. It’s kind of nice that he knows what I’m thinking without me having to say a word. I’ll kind of miss him when he leaves.

He offers me a knowing nod in return. “She’s prepped and primed, boss lady. She understands the assignment and is ready to work.”

“Okay then, let’s try it.”

I can see the huge relief in her eyes and I remember Billy telling me about her living situation. Lowering my voice so that only she can hear me, I ask her, “There’s some paperwork I’m going to need you to fill out, but I just wanted to let you know that Billy already explained your situation. Do you have a place to stay for the next few weeks? One you can put on the tax documents.”

She doesn’t look embarrassed but simply shrugs. “There’s a battered women’s shelter I’m at, and we have to keep the location private for obvious reasons.“

“Drop by my office after you finish up here,” I tell her, my heart aching for her. “I’ll see if I can arrange something more permanent for you.”

I can tell that my offer just blindsided her, but I’m only paying my good fortune forward. I may not be able to set her up in a high-rent apartment in Hunter’s building, but I definitely get paid enough money to help her find somewhere safe and clean to live.

“Thank you.”

“Sure.”

Billy chuckles as I grab another wing before exiting the kitchen. I can’t help myself. They’re damn good. As I’m chewing, my eyes catch a familiar figure in the dimly lit room and it takes me a second to place him. It’s a man I’m pretty sure I once saw talking with Hunter.

I study him as he ascends the staircase to the second floor of the club, and I realize he’s headed toward one of the VIP booths. I notice that Lars and Parker are standing outside of the booth as well and deduce that Hunter must be sitting there as well.

Parker catches me staring and winks at me. Then Diana comes hurrying over with a smug look on her face.

“The Parillo party wants to see the manager.”

It takes me a second to recognize the last name.

That’s Ashley’s group.

Gage owes me twenty bucks.

I knew they weren’t done with me.

“What happened?” I ask her.

She shrugs indifferently, but I can see the sly look in her eyes. She’s enjoying this.

“They said that something is wrong with their drinks.”

“That’s hardly something to call the manager for. Get them new drinks.”

“I did, but they still want to see the manager.” She gives me one of her judgmental looks as I stare her down with one of my own. “Just go and do your job.”

My patience is running thin with this woman.

“Diana, once your shift is over, I want you to come to see me in my office. We need to have a talk.”

“If you even have an office by the end of my shift,” she mutters nastily under her breath.

I catch every word, and the nasty intent behind them, which is why I’m itching to scratch her eyes out, but losing my temper is not who I am. In fact, I’m pretty sure that the reason why I’ve gotten through so many awful times in my life is that I know how to keep my head down and my mouth shut.

The easiest solution to my Ashley problem is to just get this over with, so I make my way up to their booth, crossing paths with Lars and Parker. They shoot me a curious glance as I stand in front of the booth’s privacy curtain, waiting to be acknowledged.

The second floor of The Blue Whiskey has a very different feel than the first floor. The first floor is animated and busy.There are dozens of patrons drinking and dancing, as you would see in most crowded LA clubs. But on the second floor, things are quieter. There are private booths that are luxurious, with soft lighting and plush couches. Sometimes, they’re reserved for meetings by very dangerous men, and sometimes, they’re reserved for groups of friends who can afford it.

“You may enter,” Ashley announces in some sort of fake regal accent.

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