Chapter 18
Friday, on our way back to the office, we are dodging the rain, and I’m practically vibrating. Callie has been trying to keep me calm this whole time, but I’m done. When we get to our office building, I stop and she notices. “What?”
“You go on without me. I’m calling the Chamberlain mansion. Now.”
“It’s pouring cats and dogs out here, and it’s freezing.”
“Is it? I hadn’t noticed.”
She rolls her eyes. “At least come inside. You’ll catch pneumonia out here.”
But I shake my head. “Can’t let anyone in there know about this. Go ahead. I’ll catch up.”
Her lips smooth to a line as she thinks about it. “Alright. But don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
“Too late.”
She giggles, rolls her eyes, and jogs into the building.
On the streets of Boston, there aren’t too many places to have a private conversation. But the weather has kept a lot of people indoors, and building awnings provide enough cover to stay as close to dry as I can. I’m sure I’ll be soaked through by the end of the conversation, though. The rain is blowing a little sideways today, and it’s icy because my day couldn’t possibly get worse.
I dial them up and, to my surprise, a man answers. I’d expected to go round robin on a phone tree system like every other place I call. “Chamberlain Museum. How may I direct your call?”
“Uh, well, I’m not sure. I was at the auction last Friday, and?—
“Please hold, and I will connect you to our auction acquisitions department.”
“But—”
Nope. Hold music. I huff a puff of foggy air in frustration. This is already going wrong.
“Acquisitions, Miranda speaking.”
“Yes, hi. I was there for the auction?—”
“And you’re missing an item? Your name?”
“June Devlin, but I?—”
“You’re not in our system. Did you win or lose your bid?”
I groan my irritation. “Neither. I was there for the first auction and the second one. If you catch my drift.”
“I am afraid I do not. There was only one auction here last Friday. A silent one. Are you certain you have the right establishment?”
I want to scream at her, but it’s entirely possible she has no idea what I’m talking about. “Does a man named Cesar work there? He knows all about this.”
“No one by that name, I’m afraid.”
“Fuck.” I lean on the brick building behind me.
“There is no need for that kind of language?—”
“Sorry, sorry. That wasn’t directed at you. Thanks for your help.” I hang up and want to throw my phone, but I can’t because it’s expensive and unless I get my money, I cannot afford to go throwing phones around.
I need my money. My life cannot change without it. Moreover, I earned it, dammit. And at this point, it’s the principle of the matter. How dare they set this up so that people who need money the most get taken advantage of by people who can afford it the most? This is just wrong, and I’m not standing for it.
A quick Google search tells me something I didn’t want to know. Anderson West’s family firm is within walking distance of my office. I’m marching down the sidewalk before I can talk myself out of this.
I hate when people show up unannounced to see me. It is one of my top five stress triggers. An unexpected knock at my door, a phone ringing, a text from an unknown number, any time someone tries to get my attention without some kind of warning, it all makes me flash back to when Anderson used to sneak up and pop my bra strap, and I fucking hate it.
So, I’m going to sneak up and pop his metaphorical bra strap.
By the time I reach his father’s steel and glass building, I’m soggy and I don’t give a shit. I’m so pissed off I might actually spit nails at Anderson. But I’ll have to get past the security desk first. Two guards, both guys, one younger than me, and the other a few years older. They’re wearing that cocky grin guys get when they look at a dirty magazine and are huddled over something interesting on the younger one’s phone. The moment they notice me, the younger one shuts it off.
Great. Two horned up guys, and I need to get something from them. Huh.Good afternoon. Sorry to bother you?—”
“Who are you here to see?”
“Anderson West, but it’s a surprise. Is there any way you can skip buzzing up?”
“I’m afraid not, miss. Protocol.”
“Of course. I understand. It’s just that … if you buzz up,” I heave my shoulders and let my voice shake as I quietly tell them, “then the surprise is ruined, and I’m already running late because of this awful weather.” I untie my trench coat and my thin sweater dress is clinging to me, garnering their full attention. “I’ve never done this before, and I’m going to get fired if I ruin the surprise.”
“You’ve never done what before?” the older one asks.
A faint smirk upturns my lips. “I’m a … masseuse.”
“Never seen a masseuse in a dress,” he teases.
I giggle. “Well, I’m a special kind of masseuse.”
“I’ll bet you are.”
“Anderson’s friend Tag hired me as a surprise for him. It’s his birthday, I think. I don’t know. But I’m here as a surprise, and I got stuck in this weather—I’m sure I look awful. And I’m new to all of this. I’m just so nervous and now,” I laugh at myself, “I’m rambling. So sorry to bother you.” I grab the neckline of my dress and bend over a little to wring it into the plant sitting next to the desk, giving them both a view down my dress. Then, I hitch up the hem and do the same, flashing them way too much thigh. Desperate times, and all that. “I’m so fired if I don’t get up there and surprise him.”
The older one takes a second too long to pry his eyes off my body. “You’ll, uh, want to freshen up before seeing him.” He presses a button and the elevator near him opens. “It’s the executive elevator. It’ll take you right up to his floor. His office is at the end of the hall on the left. There’s a ladies room, second door on your right. You can straighten yourself out there before going to give him a … massage.”
“Oh my gosh, really? You’re a lifesaver! Thank you so much! I might actually make rent this month.”
He chuckles. “Good luck with everything.”
“You’re my hero. Thanks again!” I give a flirty little wave as the doors shut and hold back from making a face. No idea if they can see the cameras in the elevator, and I can’t let on that I duped them. It’s all I can do not to tap my toe impatiently, but I have to make this look good.
When the door opens, I’m not sure how high up I am, but the nearest window says I’m at least twenty stories up. I dash into the bathroom first. Pretty sure that if the guards think I’m a sex worker and they have access to the cameras throughout the building, they will be watching me come in and out of here. After straightening up a little and re-tying my trench coat, I head for the end of the other hall.
In the vestibule, his admin sits there and her attention grows with my every step. “Good afternoon. Can I help you?” On the enormous door behind her is a sign with his name on it.
“Anderson is in his office, right?”
“Well, yes, but?—”
“Thanks.” I barge around her desk for the door.
“You can’t go in there!”
“Try and stop me.” I throw the door open and find Anderson with his back to the door. I snap, “What in the hell are you doing?”
He turns around, and I realize there are two other men in the room with him. They’d been gathered around a table and I hadn’t even noticed them in there. It was like, the moment I saw him, I couldn’t see anything else. But Anderson throws on a charming smile, even though I’ve clearly caught him off-guard. “A pleasure to see you, too.”
His admin says, “I tried to stop her, Mr. West?—”
“No worries, Angela. Hold my calls, will you?”
“Would you like me to call security?”
“That won’t be necessary. Thank you. Sorry for the confusion.”
She glares at me, then leaves.
I feel two feet tall right now, even though I’m not in the wrong on this. My cheeks burn, though, like I am the source of all the problems right now. This is more awkward than I thought it would be, but I need that money, and I’m not about to let him off the hook for embarrassing me yet again. For making the poor girl come after him for what she’s owed. Nope. He’s not getting off easy this time. If I have to humiliate him to get what’s mine, then I will.