Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 62811 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 314(@200wpm)___ 251(@250wpm)___ 209(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62811 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 314(@200wpm)___ 251(@250wpm)___ 209(@300wpm)
“Oh no,” I say, shaking my head. “I car pool with a coworker so it’s fine.”
He stares at me for a long time as if he doesn’t believe me, but he finally nods. “Okay then.” He looks around the living room and grabs an empty envelope and pen from the coffee table. He writes something down before handing it to me, and I see that he’s written down his cell phone number. “Don’t hesitate to use it if you need us.”
I nod and watch them walk out of my apartment, sinking into the couch with a sigh when the door closes behind them. How did this one-time thing turn into them turning my life upside down?
And why do I already feel empty now that they’re gone?
“Okay, get your head back in the game, Cleo,” I murmur to myself as I finally push off of the couch. I quickly shower and get dressed, officially on a mission to figure out what the hell is going on with the money that is owed to me. It’s been a week now and there hasn’t been a word or any indication that I’m going to receive my money, and after not being able to reach Lucian by phone, I’m going to make an in-person visit instead.
I lock up my apartment and cautiously exit my building, hoping that Tristan and Talon aren’t still lurking around. Thankfully, the bus is arriving right when I approach the bus stop, and I ride it all the way to Purgatory. My mind fills with all the questions I have for Lucian, but I can’t help but wonder if the guys are now refusing to pay until Tristan knows my name. I don’t know which is worse—losing my virginity for nothing or Tristan finding out the truth and losing his shit.
The bouncer outside the club looks down at me, probably remembering me from the last time I was here.
“What is it?” he says, his tone rough.
“I’m here to talk with Lucian,” I say softly.
“For?”
“The deal I made with him. I just want to follow up about what we’d talked about,” I say. I don’t want to tell him that I’m here to figure out where my money is, as I don’t want him to think I’m here to cause trouble or harass the man. I’m only looking for answers or a timeline to know when I can get the hell out of here and away from Tristan and Talon.
The bouncer regards me for a brief moment before he presses a finger to his earpiece to listen to someone speaking to him. He opens the door for me without another word, and I quickly slip inside. The main floor is as busy as it was the last time I was here, excited people waiting around before going to their respective floors.
I weave through the crowds to head toward the hallway that houses the office, grateful for the quiet solitude when I move further away from the noise of the main floor. The carpet-lined floor softens my footsteps as I get closer to Lucian’s door, my heart racing as my nerves build. I have no idea what he’s going to tell me when I get there. The fact that I haven’t been able to get him on the phone in a week makes me feel as if he’s dodging me, so I hope bad news isn’t on the horizon. I don’t know if I can suffer a blow this big.
Once I reach his door, I suck in a deep breath and knock firmly on it. “It’s open!” he calls from the other side.
“I can do this,” I whisper to myself and push the door open.
Lucian sits behind his desk, flipping through a stack of papers, looking up at me in surprise.
“What can I help you with?” he asks. The aloof tone that he uses is almost as if he has no clue why I could possibly be here. I frown as I regard him.
“I’ve been trying to get in contact with you for the last few days,” I say, my tone flat. “I still haven’t been paid.”
“Ah, yes. My assistant did tell me you called, but she didn’t mention the money part.”
I fight the urge to roll my eyes. “It’s been a week. What’s the hold up?”
“Sometimes it can take the banks a while to verify that the money is legit when making such large wire transfers,” he explains. “Trust me, this kind of thing is normal. You should have it in the next few days. The funds have been released if that’s what you’re worried about; it’s up to the banks now.”
I purse my lips. There isn’t much I can do but take his word for it. “Okay then. I’ll wait a few more days, but if it’s still not here, someone is going to have some explaining to do or phone calls to make.”