Page 18 of Peasants and Kings
Genevieve’s gaze was unwavering. “You have a choice, Sterling. We all have a choice. But you have to ask yourself if your pronouncement still stands. What are you willing to do to be safe?”
Genevieve paused, waiting for my answer.
An answer I didn’t know if I was ready to give.
There was a knock on the door. Annika popped her head in, her hand still on the knob. “Sorry to disturb you,” she said. “Ramsey is on the phone for you.”
“Tell him I’ll be right with him.”
Annika nodded and then closed the door. I turned my attention back to Genevieve.
“I have to take this call, but we’re not finished with this discussion,” Genevieve said finally. “I’m willing to give you some time to think over what I’ve just told you. Please wait in the restaurant in the lobby. Have lunch and I’ll be in touch with you shortly.”
I tamped down an audible sigh of relief as I went to the door, ready to escape the room.
“And Sterling…” Gen called from behind me.
I looked over my shoulder.
“Give it some serious thought,” she said. “There are far worse things in life than becoming a Rex girl.”
Chapter Five
The lobby wasn’t as busy as it had been when I’d arrived for my interview, yet the few people present still moved about with purpose. The Rex suddenly reminded me of a hive of insects all united toward a common goal.
I headed to the restaurant. A young man dressed in a white button-down shirt, a charcoal gray vest, and a skinny red tie stood at the host stand. His brown hair was parted and styled like a 1950s businessman and he welcomed me with an authentic smile.
“Hello,” he said. “Do you have a reservation?”
I shook my head. “I just had an interview with Genevieve and—”
“Enough said. Right this way, please.”
He picked up a menu and led me to a two-top in the corner of the room and then went to one of the chairs to pull it out for me.
“Do you mind if I sit at the bar?” I asked.
“Not at all.” He pushed the chair back in and gestured toward the bar.
When I was settled on a stool with a menu in front of me, I was able to turn and survey the restaurant.
The decor was old-world yet inviting. Gaslight sconces graced the walls, casting the restaurant in dim but romantic lighting. It was classic in a way that was not only for those on dates, and I had the sense that a lot of business deals were made over perfectly seasoned steaks and handshakes.
A cute, blond bartender approached and set down a Rex Hotel coaster in front of me. “May I get you something to drink?”
“Just sparkling water, please.”
I glanced at the menu again but didn’t register any of the dishes. I wasn’t really hungry. Not afterthatmeeting.
My thoughts swirled in my head like smoke. The truth about The Fifteenth Floor hadn’t fully sunk in yet, but for some reason I was strangely intrigued by Gen’s offer, by the picture she had presented. I wasn’t immune to opulence and wealth. I couldn’t ignore the fact that The Rex world was seductive. They sold sex, clearly. But was there more to it than that?
“May I get you something to eat?” the blond bartender asked, jarring me out of my thoughts.
“No thanks,” I said. “I’m not really hungry.”
He inclined his head and then moved away, leaving me alone with my questions.
Two older men walked into the Bar and Restaurant, dressed in tailored suits. The host sat them at a table in the center of the room. They commanded the space around them and when the server came to take their order, neither of them looked at their menus before speaking.
