Page 18 of Keller

"So? Who cares? It's just sex."

"I care."

"Obviously." She leans forward. "So what happened after?"

"I went back to the gala. He went back to the gala. We didn't talk again."

"But you wanted to."

Leah's grin spreads. "Okay, describe him again. Without the mask this time."

"Tall, blonde, amazing brown eyes, and washboard abs. Yes, I felt his abs."

She stomps her feet on the floor and her wine sloshes a little onto her pants. She sets it down and pulls me in for a hug.

"You never do this. You plan everything, you follow every rule. I'm so proud of you for stepping out like a big girl and finding your freak streak. Please tell me you guys exchanged numbers or snaps or something."

My chest tightens. "I gave him my number."

"That's my girl! Have you heard from him?"

I glance at my phone on the table. The screen is dark. "Yeah. He actually texted me yesterday, but I?—"

"And you haven't responded."

"Not yet."

Leah sets her glass down. "Why not? That means he's interested. I know you are, so what the hell, Quinn?"

"Because this is exactly the kind of distraction I don’t need right now."

"So what? You're allowed to have a life outside of work.” Leah's expression softens. "Quinn, you think everything through. Your whole life is controlled. Work, family, all of it. Maybe you're allowed to want something just because you want it. And you do it, just because it feels good. Be reckless once in a while. Jesus.

"I'm nervous."

She pulls back. "What's the worst that happens? You go on a date, maybe you finish the deed. Maybe it's great. Maybe it's not. Either way, you'll survive."

I promise her I will write him back, but tell her I have to think about it first. I plan to, but I can't with her. So we move on to less exciting and therefore less stressful things.

We put on the last episode ofHouse of Guinness, which I’ve been waiting all week to see. Tonight I couldn’t tell you how it ends. Every time my phone lights up, my pulse spikes, but I don’t check it. Not with Leah sitting there watching me pretend I’m unaffected.

After she leaves, I sit on the couch with my phone in my hand. The screen glows in the dim light. I pull up his text and read it for the thousandth time.

Good to meet you properly. I'd love to see you again.

I untangle shell companies and offshore transfers for a living. I trace money through six layers of concealment without blinking, and this is what stumps me.

FIVE

Keller

Secret Societies:Many of New Orleans’ earliest krewes operated as secret societies, with undisclosed membership lists and invitation-only access to private balls. Anonymity and exclusivity were central to their power, reinforcing social hierarchy while allowing members to operate behind ritual and spectacle.

The buy-in tonightis two hundred thousand. Eight players sit at the table, and every one of them knows exactly what this is. Every single player is hand-picked after detailed vetting by me.

West stands near the bar with a glass in his hand, watching the room without looking like he is. He keeps one eye on the exits and the other on the players who have more money than they know what to do with. That's why losing a million dollars in a night doesn't even register for them.

I make a slow pass behind the chairs, hands in my pockets, listening more than I speak. You learn more that way. Men talk when they think no one important is paying attention.