The door flies open and Bump, the man responsible for me knowing what it’s like to be wrapped up in a rug, comes bounding into the office.
“I told you it would work!” He gives off the vibe of a kid hopped up on a mountain of sugar as he practically bounces on his toes.
Legend doesn’t acknowledge his statement. “Where’s Q?”
“Meeting. Zoe wouldn’t let me interrupt.”
Bump’s response calls forth a scowl that deepens the lines around Mr. Legend’s mouth. I don’t know who Q is, but clearly, he or she is important.
“Fine. Walk her out. Put her in a cab. Don’t say another fucking word until you’re back in my office. Got it?”
“Got it, Gabe,” Bump replies as he turns to me with a bright-eyed smile and waves me toward the door.
I grab my phone and earbuds off the floor and sneak one last look at Gabriel Legend as he seats himself behind his desk, his attention already consumed by the stack of papers and laptop in front of him. Before I walk out of his office, he makes it completely clear that he’s already forgotten about my presence.
It’s a foreign concept to me, and my ego doesn’t like it one damned bit.
The insult of him not saying good-bye, or evenI’ll kill you if you don’t show up Saturday nightperches on my shoulder as Bump leads me through hallways and then into a cavernous room that reminds me of a Greek or Roman temple. It’s dominated by soaring ceilings, massive columns, and translucent white silk drapery hanging from the corners that swoop across the open space.
The effect is impressive, even while empty. I can imagine the club filled with people dancing as they sip champagne or hold court on the large round daises tucked along the sides. A balcony with heavy balustrades runs all the way around the room. I imagine that’s the VIP section, up above, where people like me could watch the crowd but not get crushed by it.
I point up. “How many VIP lounges are there?”
Bump stops and turns to face me, his gaze following my finger upward. His lips move from side to side, and I remember Legend told him not to speak. My money says he can’tnotreply.
“Lots. I don’t go up there, though. I like to be close to the music.”
While his answer isn’t helpful in the least, I pause and count the separate areas I can make out from the main floor. My best guess is that there are somewhere in the neighborhood of a dozen separated VIP sitting areas, and if Legend is smart, they’d each have their own servers and security. Maybe even a separate entrance and exit, so if someone wants to avoid being seen, they can. At least, that’s what I’d do if it were my club.
“Thanks, Bump,” I whisper as he keeps walking. My brain is already working out a plan. “I’m going to need two of them Saturday, and then four the next time I come. After that, I’ll need the whole floor.”
Bump snorts a laugh. “All of them? Yeah, right. That didn’t even happen opening night before the bullets started flying.”
I spin around and scan the plasterwork and the columns. “I don’t see any bullet holes.”
Another snort-laugh. “It’s been two months. You think Gabe would let it go two fucking days without having everything fixed? Not a chance. So many guys were here after the cops left. They fixed it all like new.”
I can picture Legend marshalling the troops like a general when it came to fixing his club. It had to have been the ultimate insult. I can’t imagine the rage he kept banked while he put his club back to rights.
Seriously, the man should come with a blinking red light above his head and a warning sign that readsdanger: approach with caution.
“They did a good job,” I mumble as I spin back around toward the exit.
“They spun around like you,” Bump says, watching my every move.
“What do you mean?” I ask, torn between wanting to get out of this building and wanting to know every single thing about Gabriel Legend and his club that I can learn. Purely to help save his club, of course.
My inner voice pipes up.Yeah, you don’t believe that either.
“The gawkers. They’re the only ones who’ve come since. They wanted to see carnage. But there was nothing. So they left. Then we were screwed until I got you.”
Listening to this man talk about kidnapping me so casually should freak me the hell out, but it doesn’t.My system must be seriously jacked up now.
Bump keeps rambling as we move toward the exit, like he can’t handle silence, but I don’t mind. Honestly, I’m glad he’s not following his boss’s orders, because I’m learning vital information that’ll help me set the stage for Legend’s comeback. After all, who doesn’t love a good comeback story?
If I can pull it off.
The hint of self-doubt creeps in, but I silence it.