He started humming as he walked toward the driver’s side.
“Really, though?” I called after him. “What about how many drivers he has on staff? Surely he would allow you to answer something simple like that.”
He opened the car door and looked over his shoulder.
“Seventeen,” he said with a smile before sliding behind the wheel.
Of course.
I rushed up my steps and slipped inside an open elevator.
The peeling paint in the hallways, the heavy scent of mildew, and the creaking elevator wires dragged me right out of billionaire fantasy land and back into my actual life.
As I stepped off onto the landing, Marie glared at me.
“Hey there,” I said. “I was just about to call you.”
“Oh, I’m sure.” She grabbed my hand and pulled me into her unit.
“What the hell gives, Chloe?” she asked. “Everyone at the office is spinning rumors at a rate you wouldn’t believe. Spill. Now.”
“It’s kind of a long story.”
“Then skip over all the world-building, spoil the plot twists, and get straight to the ending.”
“Mr. Hudson caught me taking a shower at The Bergman a few days ago.”
Her jaw dropped.
“And um, before he called the police, I just left and he showed up today—as you saw.” I paused. “But then he offered me a job as a way to pay him back because he’d looked up my background and saw I could be of use—and guess what he’s going to pay me?”
Her jaw was still on the floor.
“One million dollars!” I screamed. “Isn’t it amazing? I still can’t believe it, you know? I’ve already made plans for us to start our joint banner once I’m done, upgrade our places, and everything!”
Marie finally closed her mouth, but she didn’t say anything.
“Guess what the best part is?” I asked. “Well, second best after the million dollars?”
“Tell me…”
“I finally have a bank account again!” I clapped so hard my palms stung. “His team had to take my fingerprints and verify a bunch of things since it’s been a while since I had one, but I should get paid any moment now.”
Silence.
“Why aren’t you jumping up and down and grabbing wine so we can celebrate?” I asked. “Do I need to repeat the seven-figure payment part?”
“No.” She crossed her arms. “I heard that just fine.”
“Okay, so?—”
“So let me get this straight,” she interrupted. “The most notoriously ruthless billionaire in this city caught you stealing from him, whisked you away under the ruse of a ‘job,’ all while taking your fingerprints, and you think this was all for a bank account and not the feds?”
“Well, yeah.” I shrugged. “That’s what he said.”
“Did he give any exact details, or were they vague as hell with an ‘I’ll be in touch’ type of thing?”
“He was very thoroughly detailed with everything from my start time to where I’m supposed to meet him, and—” I sucked in a breath.