Page 6 of Nova

“When?” I sound way too eager as I turn to face Seer again.

“You know that’s not how it works.” His look of satisfaction tells me he’s holding back important information that I need for his own amusement.

“How much is this gonna hurt me?” I sigh when he chuckles.

“So damn bad, but she’s worth it.” I smile and nod.

She sure fucking is.

I knew it the moment I walked away from her in that bar. By the time I came to my senses and politely apologized to Gladys for having to turn in early just so I could rush back to the bar, she was long gone.

“Thanks,” I say before waving goodbye and heading out into the muggy New Orleans heat.

I walk down Royal to the waiting limo, and the driver opens the door for me.

“Evening, Mr. Deacon,” I grin at the man who’s worked exclusively for me the last two years.

“Evening, Roger.” I unbutton my suit jacket before slipping into my seat.

Roger is a retired car thief who enjoys spending time with his grandchildren. He works weekends for me for a handsome salary—way more than an ex-con could ever make legally. He’s only in his fifties but still as fit as he was in his twenties.

On the rare occasion when I need muscle, he easily slips into that role as well. This is mainly for my girls since I can handle myself.

“Where to tonight?” I glance up at him, watching me in the mirror.

“Head over to HQ, and then we have two events tonight.” He nods and pulls out into the light traffic.

I pulled up the application and logged into my admin account to check tonight’s schedule.

Head Quarters launched eighteen months ago and has been a massive success. It has become the number one downloaded app this year. When the tagline is “The Finest Head in the French Quarter,” I guess it sells itself.

Business has been booming.

“We’re here.” I look up and frown at the line outside.

“Why aren’t the doors open?” I don’t wait for an answer or for Roger to open my door.

I step out and bypass the front door for the private side entrance off the alley. I put my palm on the scanner and waited for the beep to tell me that the door was open.

No beep comes.

“What the fuck?” I pull out my phone and call Glitch.

“I’m already working on the issue.” She hangs up on me, and I curse.

“Roger!” I yell out, and he nods, knowing instantly that I need him on crowd control.

The patrons are getting restless since we should have opened an hour ago.

I excuse myself through the line to a few unfriendly yells until I reach my bouncer at the front door.

“Boss,” he nods once in my direction, and I try to open the front door.

“What’s going on?” I turn to him when that one, too, will not open.

“Sunny got locked out, and I came to find out what happened. Neither of us can get in, and the girls can’t get out.” What the fuck?

Roger lets out a loud whistle, which gets the rowdy people to shut up.

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