Chapter 1 #2
He grins a wide, toothy smile. The kind that says I’m about to regret asking. “A velvet box. Tied with a bow. Inside? A diamond necklace that probably costs more than my first car.”
I blink. “That’s it?”
“Oh no, no, no,” he says, wagging a finger. “That was just the appetizer.” He flops into the chair across from my desk, clearly in no rush to deliver anything anytime soon. Including the point of this story.
I lean back. “Frank.”
“It was for a guy who wants to ‘accidentally’ leave it on his girlfriend’s nightstand so she thinks it’s a surprise,” he says, air-quoting so aggressively he nearly dislocates a finger. “Problem is, he’s married. To a different woman.”
I stare at him.
Frank shrugs. “I asked questions. Told him I needed to know for my own peace of mind.”
“Please tell me you said no.”
“Obviously,” he says. “After I charged him double and told him I’d drop it off at the wrong address if karma demanded it.”
I rub my temples. “I think your ethical compass is stuck pointing south.”
“No ethical compass here,” Frank agrees cheerfully. “I’m more like a warning label.” He moves to my side of the desk and claps me on the shoulder again. “Anyway, I need to get back to it. And you better watch out for Loretta.”
“What do you mean?”
“She’s ranting because you skipped breakfast, Bauer’s trying to microwave salmon again, and says if you don’t come out of your cave soon, she’s going to institute a mandatory feelings check.”
I groan.
Frank stares out into the distance, rubbing his chin, as if he’s suddenly pondering the meaning of life. “I kinda like her southern words of wisdom. I told her about that chick I took out and wined and dined who gave me the shaft, and she said something profound that got me back on track.”
I blink, afraid to hear what’s coming next.
“Sometimes God doesn’t open that door, because what’s behind it bites.”
Reaching back, I massage the tense muscles in my neck. “Is this the girl you wined and dined at Cook Out?”
“Maybe.” He snatches a blueberry muffin from the box and takes a massive bite. “Damn. These are good.”
“Get out of my office.”
He laughs and heads back out, nearly colliding with Bauer Beasley, who’s standing in the doorway clutching a laptop like a shield.
“Oh. Hi, Max,” Bauer says, eyes flicking nervously between us. “I, uh… Yamila said I should tell you she fixed the thing. The thing with the thing.”
“Thank you, Bauer. That’s… extremely helpful,” I deadpan.
Yamila appears behind him, immaculate as always. Dark hair pulled back, expression eternally unimpressed. “What he means,” she says coolly, “is that the encryption flaw you flagged no longer exists. Also, Bauer did not break anything in the process. Miracles do happen.”
Bauer beams like he’s just been knighted.
“Thank you, Yamila,” I say.
She nods once and walks away.
Bauer, however, lingers. “So… uh… Loretta says if I don’t stop eating at my desk, I’ll get ants.”
“They do like crackers and gummy worms. I’d listen to Loretta,” I encourage like a father figure to this wayward nerd. “She’s never wrong.”
He nods and scurries off.
I check my phone. There are a ton of unread messages. All from the same group chat.
BILLIONAIRE BOYS CLUB
Slick Willy: In town tonight. Drinks at The Devil’s Playground?
Dr. Love: Don’t pretend you’re too busy saving the world, one heart at a time, Bedrock.
Bedrock: No, I’ll do that tomorrow. I’m in.
Gianni: It’s about damn time. I thought I was going to have to send out a search party. You coming, Broadie?
Broadie: Perfect timing. Poppy has book club tonight. If I play my cards right, I’ll get back right when she’s finished a steamy scene.
Slick Willy: You married types. I go to The Devil’s Playground TO STAR IN THE STEAMY SCENES. Any wonder why I’m never getting married?
Dr. Love: Damn straight. Is Ben in town?
Slick Willy: I’m pretty sure he’s busy in Florida with a new project. How about you, Max?
Slick Willy: Anyone heard from Max?
Gianni: Talk about saving the world. He’s probably too busy to catch this. I’ll pester him later until he answers.
I smirk despite myself. The Billionaire Boys Club. An obnoxious name Frank gave the seven of us that somehow stuck. A fast collection of friends made at the exclusive, high security members only gentleman’s club. A mix of old and new money, all but one of us billionaires. Hence, the name.
I type back.
Max: Maybe. Depends how the day goes.
There’s no way I’m turning down a night surrounded by my closest friends.
And, as predicted, the day goes to hell.
By the time evening rolls around, I’ve defused a high-profile company’s PR nightmare, rejected two morally questionable private requests to locate individuals, and forcibly shut down my own dark compulsion to stay in and surf the underbelly of the web.
Hell, do I need a drink.
The familiar club is loud, dark, and styled to perfection.
It’s the kind of place designed to make people forget consequences.
Devon Sly, or Slick Willy as we refer to him, is already here, impeccably dressed and holding court.
Becket Ryan is laughing at something on his phone.
And Bedrock, Derek Hart, sits nursing a whiskey.
“Well, look who made it.” Slick Willy chuckles.
“Max,” the other two greet, extending their hands for a shake.
“You know it would take sheer Armageddon for me to miss a night with you guys. Where’s Gianni?”
“Apparently, he had a new hire he had to assist.” Becket, Dr. Love, Ryan answers, waggling his brows.
I snort and drop into a leather seat next to Derek, scanning the room out of habit when I do a double take.
A new server. At least not one I’ve seen before. And I’m here often enough. She’s average height with an athletic build, long blonde hair with a pink tint to it. She’s so far from my type, it’s not even funny. I’ve always gravitated toward tall, sophisticated brunettes.
So why does this girl who resembles a walking cupcake have me mesmerized?
She walks between tables, posture cautious, eyes always tracking her surroundings like she’s bracing for something. There’s a tension in her shoulders that doesn’t belong here, in a place built on excess and ease.
A twinge of paranoia twists in my chest. But it quickly vanishes when she gazes in our direction, and I catch a glimpse of her angelic face and big blue eyes. Hell, I can’t look away.
Who is that?