Dante swiveled his chair in my direction, grunting.“It’s the only way I can be sure everything’s running up to my standards.You don’t attract and retain my level of clientele by taking chances.”
“Do you have any doubts about your staff?”I asked, glancing his way over my shoulder before returning my attention to the monitors.As jarring as it was to see some of what took place in front of me as only an investor, a small voice in the back of my head asked what it would be like, feeling that free.Granted, patrons wore at least a mask to cover the top half of their face for the sake of discretion, along with other typical, unbreakable rules.No cell phones beyond the front lobby, a strictNo Means Nopolicy.No second chances allowed.
Within those rules was the chance to release all inhibitions.To explore.
Dante chuckled, smirking as he raised his glass to his lips.“You know I don’t because anyone I doubt is someone who is no longer working for me,” he pointed out.“There’s no such thing as being too careful.I know you can appreciate that.”
Which was why he made a natural investment partner, even if I didn’t share the tastes of the people partying one floor beneath us.He took his work very seriously and valued guest satisfaction above all else.A club like his attracted curious thrill seekers, sure, but there was only so far a business could grow through one-time-only visitors.It was the same with my restaurants and hotels.Repeat business was our bread and butter, and ensuring guest safety and happiness was the foundation.
He sipped his whiskey, then held the crystal tumbler up to the light.“I swear, this tastes better when I drink it from Baccarat crystal.You can pour yourself another if you want,” he offered, gesturing toward the well-stocked bar built into the walnut-paneled wall opposite his desk.
“I’m afraid I need to keep my head clear tonight.”Instead of refilling, I left the empty tumbler on the bar.“I have a lot on my mind.”
“Feel free to share if you need a sounding board.”Another thing I appreciated about Dante.He was generous with his time and advice.
This wasn’t the sort of thing he could relate to, though.Who could?“I was offered a proposition this afternoon.”My tie was suddenly too tight.Loosening it didn’t make breathing any easier, so I removed it, then opened the top two buttons of my shirt.The sensation of being strangled faded away but not completely.
“You don’t sound happy about it,” he pointed out, setting down his drink and leaning back in his chair.
“On one hand, I am.It’s… it’s a very big deal.”The hair on the back of my neck lifted at the thought.“I’m talking life-goals-achieved levels.”
He arched an eyebrow.“I’m listening.”
I was too jumpy to sit.When was the last time I wrestled this nervous energy?Probably not since my days playing ball.The early days before I had taught myself to master that energy and turn it into something positive.Something that would fuel me rather than fuck with my head.
Until now, that mastery hadn’t failed me.But then, this was hardly a typical situation.I couldn’t have prepared for this.
Dante watched from behind his desk as I paced, my shoes slapping the floor in a quick, steady rhythm.“How far would you go to get your hands on the crown jewel?”I asked.“What would you do?What would you agree to?”
“Is this something I’m going to wish I had never heard?”When I glanced his way, he shrugged.“No offense, but I don’t need the feds sniffing around, asking how much I knew about whatever you’re into.”
“For fuck’s sake,” I muttered, though the brief laugh eased my tension.“No, it’s nothing like that.Are there any lines you wouldn’t cross?”
“And we’re talking totally legality here?”
I nodded.“Of course.”
“As long as it’s legal, and nobody gets hurt, I can’t imagine much I wouldn’t do.”He stroked his chin, shrugging again.“I’ll be damned if I can think of anything.”
“That’s exactly how I feel.”Then, why couldn’t I sit down?Why had I spent the past ten hours ready to jump out of my skin?I couldn’t be sick.I didn’t get sick.
“So what’s the problem?”
I came to a stop, sighing before going to the bar to pour another drink after all.Why the hell not?“I never planned on getting married.Now or ever.”
I gave him a few silent seconds before glancing his way.“You look like you just watched a pig walk through here wearing high heels,“ I told him after taking in his widening eyes.
“I’ve seen stranger things than that.”Tipping his head to the side, he asked, “What does getting married have to do with any of this?”
“That’s the deal.”Capping the scotch, I crossed the room and dropped into a leather armchair.“If I want to absorb this brand, I have to take the owner’s daughter along with it.”
“You’re shitting me.”
“You called it.I’m making it all up.”I had to snort at his confusion.“I’m sure you figured you’d heard it all by now.”
After sputtering for a while, he announced, “It’s archaic.”
“That’s one word for it.”
