Page 62 of The Facilitator: Part 3
“Well, that’s awkward because there are two black cars,” I said. “However…” I then thought about my plans. I picked up a key from the key box and pressed to unlock the car. “That one.”
Lauren chuckled as I helped her lower into the Aston Martin. “This is so you can see my crotchless knickers, isn’t it?” Her dress had risen and she tried to cover her ass.
“You know me so well,” I said, closing her door and running around the trunk of the car.
Lauren started to tell me about her day and an argument she’d had with one of the staff. She’d beenspeaking with HR about the possibility of discipline. “Do you need me to do anything?” I asked.
“No, I have it under control. I’m not sure what’s going on and I suspect there is something happening at home that we’re not being told about. Jake has been absent so much this year but won’t tell his supervisor why.”
I was glad that her mind was on work and not so much on the route we were taking, even though I tried to vary it. However, when we got close, she chuckled.
I punched in my code at the gate and waited for it to swing open. A valet was waiting to take my car and cell, Lauren left her handbag in the car, knowing it would be secure.
Veronica came to the door. “Lauren, it’s so good to see you.” she asked. She smiled and air-kissed me, but took Lauren’s arm and walked her into the bar while they chatted. I loved that they had a firm friendship.
I ordered a bottle of wine for when we dined and two glasses to sip on before we were called through. Veronica sat on a stool with us. Alex had told her the basics of what had happened and Lauren filled her in on the rest.
“And Lauren punched Addison,” I added.
“You did not!” Veronica said, laughing. Veronica could fight, she’d needed to in the past, but Lauren couldn’t swat a fly.
I laughed as Lauren nodded, very proud of herself. I kissed her temple, chuckling with her. As I looked over her shoulder, I saw someone who had me frowning.
“Is that—” I started.
“Yes, I’ve assured him all the privacy he needs. He isn’t a member, but here with Lord Warwick.”
“Okay. There’s a little unsavory press at the moment.”
“I know. I’m keeping a very close eye,” she said.
“Tell me so I don’t have to look around,” Lauren asked.
“Prince Emmanuel of Spain,” I replied.
“Oh, I thought he was being investigated for fraud?” Lauren said, and Veronica nodded.
“He’s in the UK onofficialbusiness, so we’re told. On the run more like,” Veronica added and chuckled.
The last thing we wanted was unfavorable press. The club had suffered a short period where the gutter press had tried to infiltrate and wrote shit, back when it first opened. I didn’t want for that to happen again.
“The women?” I asked. They had two very well-dressed women with them.
“The brunette is Lady Warwick and the other is a friend. I have all her details and she checks out. I also gave my darling Hannah a call and she doesn’t know her, so I think we’re good.”
Darling Hannah, as Veronica called her, was hersometimes partner when shedidn’t want dick today, but also supplied the high and mighty with some very expensive call girls. That was something I wasn’t having in my club. I thanked Veronica for vetting her. All guests had to be booked in advance and the details we wanted had to accompany photo ID. Anyone trying to sneak in would be caught straightaway.
“Anyway, I can’t sit here and chat, as much as I’d love to. Do you have menus?”
I shook my head and she slid from her stool to grab some. She returned with two and then left again.
“Did you ever think you’d have a relationship with her?” Lauren asked, totally out of the blue.
“With Veronica?” I asked, surprised at her question.
“Yes,” she replied, smiling.
“No. It was never about that,” I said, frowning because I wasn’t sure where the question came from.
