Page 9 of Forever

“Because I’m fiscally responsible and never throw anything away like you millennials. Anyone who’s lived through the depression understands.”

“So my great grandparents understand you?”And you’re a millennial too.

He shrugged. “I mean…probably. Not that I’ve ever met Bobby or Clara. Because that wouldn’t make sense. Since I’m your age.”

“Younger than me.” And how did he know my great grandparents’ names?

“Right. It’s hard to keep track of time. Let’s focus on the task at hand, shall we? Because if you’re not careful, you’ll blink and 50 years will go by.” He walked through the open door.

Rob caught my arm before I could follow. “Why did you have to bring him too? He’s so annoying.”

“Can you please just get along for two seconds? All that matters right now is that we save Brooklyn.”

Rob sighed. “Yeah. For Sanders.”

Tanner walked back out wearing an apron and a chef’s hat. “For my waiters.” He chucked two aprons at us.

I didn’t know how he’d gotten those so fast. But it didn’t really matter. I put the apron on and tied it behind my back. We followed Tanner into the kitchen.

“Back to work!” Tanner yelled in a demanding voice.

“Yes, Chef Rhodes!” everyone in the kitchen shouted. There weren’t many people working this late, but the handful of line cooks in here looked terrified as Tanner walked past them. Like they were worried he’d yell at them or stab them with a knife or something.

How in the hell did he convince them that he… Never mind.I didn’t care. They were probably just tired from working all day and weren’t paying attention to the fact that Chef Rhodes was not the executive chef here.

Tanner winked at me and turned back to his new staff. “And what are you going to say if someone asks you about where I am?”

“That no one has seen you or your friends, Chef Rhodes!” they all yelled in unison.

Okay then.

“This way.” Tanner walked backwards through a door.

Rob and I hurried after him.

“Have you been here before?” Rob asked.

“No, never. Why would I come here when I frequent Club Onyx? And keep your head down, Robert, there’s cameras everywhere.”

“But they called you Chef Rhodes,” Rob said as he trained his eyes on the ground.

Tanner shrugged. “Because they know how to show respect. Unlike some people I know.”

“Where do you think they’re keeping her?” I asked before the two of them could start fighting again. “Shit.” I pulled them down a different hallway just as a security guard walked past in the other hall. “Do they seriously patrol the place?”

“Well, they have something invaluable, do they not?” Tanner said. “And Magnus King has a penthouse suite inall the Locatelli Hotels around the world. They’ll be up there.”

I found a stairwell and pushed open the door, doing my best to keep my head down. “Why do you know so much about Magnus King?”

“Because I’ve been trying to find him his perfect match for years. The more details I know the better. I feel like I’m close.”

Rob laughed. “You own a sex club, man.”

“The purpose of Club Onyx is to find true love…never mind. Neanderthals will never understand.”

“Did you just call me a neanderthal?”

“If the hideous shoe fits.”

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