A Time for Hope (Lexi, #3)(29)
After my little pow-wow with Chris I had returned to my office. I had tried to focus but after an hour or two my mind was still resolved on getting answers. Ones that I wouldn’t get from my computer. I discretely called Monique to organise a town car with a driver to take me from my Manhattan office to Nick’s club in Midtown and I had slipped away without fanfare. Catching a cab was not an option and the town car driver would wait while I was having my meeting. No matter how curious I was, there was no way I was going in there without a quick exit strategy. Matt and Anna were too busy with the earlier than anticipated tour date announcement to concern themselves with where I could be heading. Hopefully I’d be back before anyone noticed.
The Lincoln purred up to the curb coming to a complete stop in front of Cassidy, the cocktail bar Taylah and I had visited night before.
“Ma’am, this here is a tow-away zone so I will have circle the block. Just give me a call when you are ready and I’ll collect you.” Steve, the incredibly polite driver informed me. I didn’t even bother dealing with the whole “ma’am” issue (I loathed being called ma’am), I was just happy that he drove and asked zero questions despite knowing who I was and to whom I was married. Steve had unlatched his seat belt and stepped out of the car before I could tell him not to worry about opening my door. Another thing I was learning to deal with.
“Thank you Steve,” I nodded as I stepped out into the bright mid-afternoon sun. “I’ll give you a call when I am ready to leave.”
Steve closed the rear passenger door and returned to the driver’s seat. He hesitated before climbing back into the car and eased into the flow of traffic.
I walked up the stairs, the velvet ropes noticeably absent, as was the posse of burly security guards. Was anyone even here? I probably should have called. Who just shows up to a club in the middle of the day and expects someone to be there? There was no need to answer that question because the answer of course was standing on the outside of the large ornate black door overthinking. Was I supposed to knock? Just try the damn door Lexi and get your shit together.
I twisted the gold door handle and surprisingly it opened. The heavy door creaked ajar to reveal the colourful and opulent interior. Even in the light of day the club still looked impressive.
I glanced around before stepping in, aware that technically I was trespassing. Not that I was going to let a little fact like that stop me. And it’s not like I had broken in, the door was unlocked.
“Lexi, what a lovely surprise.”
A slow smile played at the corners of Nick’s mouth, his hands firmly planted in his pockets. He looked anything but surprised.
“And you look remarkably different today…Hmm, I can’t quite place it? Is it your hair?”
I rolled my eyes, ignoring his question about my changed appearance. “Were you expecting me?”
“Your call, yes, but seeing you here, well that is something I wasn’t expecting.”
“But you are standing there like you were waiting for me?” Maybe the man had crazy sensitive hearing, part machine perhaps? With current medical technology I didn’t think it was safe to rule anything out.
“Surveillance cameras.” Nick replied smugly as he pointed out the discreet spheres that hung from the ceiling. “I have them on the outside as well, strictly for security purposes of course.”
“Of course.”
“So when I noticed a car idling suspiciously outside and a beautiful woman stepped out, it got me interested. And here you are.” He folded his arms across his chest as he relaxed into his stance. While my appearance was an apparent surprise he was obviously enjoying it.
“So why am I here?”
“Shouldn’t I be asking you that? This is my club, you came to me.” Nick smirked, seeming to be enjoying the verbal volley of meaningless preamble.
“Why did you want to talk to me? Who are you?” I demanded. I hated not having the upper hand and clearly in this situation Nick had me at a disadvantage.
“Wow, straight for the kill. Can I at least offer you a drink?” Nick moved toward the bar.
“I’m not thirsty.” I snapped, stopping Nick in his tracks. “You wanted to talk to me, so talk. I don’t have a lot of time.”
“Not here, my office.” Nick was curt as his hand gripped my elbow repeating the move from last night.
“Lead the way.” I gently pulled my arm from his grasp. I was pleased at my ability to project confidence, despite feeling its lack. While Nick was rocking the dangerous vibe, I didn’t feel threatened either. Strangely my instincts told me to trust him? What? Why? I don’t trust strangers. The last thing I needed was to be battling an inner conflict that questioned my own judgement. No, I need to go with my gut, I was going to be ok.
“This way,” Nick turned and led me to the rear of the club. It had been last night’s crime scene, where some douchebag had snapped photos of Alex and I in our passionate heated exchange.
Nick gave a cautionary glance before he pressed on the wall. I hadn’t noticed it was a doorway as it was flush against the wall, the recessed door “popped” open under the pressure of his fingers on the cleverly concealed lever.
I stopped short and watched as Nick disappeared into the wall, before I followed him.
“I like clean lines in my personal space.” Nick grinned in what seemed his first genuine smile. Almost like a little boy showing off his shiny new toy, he allowed me to step through before closing the hidden door firmly behind us.