“Sure. Great. Come on.” Marc had already lost interest and ushered her toward the entrance.
“Evening, Marco,” the doorman said, his eyes lingering on Gia. “Shit going down tonight?”
“What?” Marc snapped, stopping to glare. “No, we’re good. Chill.”
The man’s expression turned stricken. “Apologies, Marco. Everyone is already at your table.”
The annoyance faded from Marc’s face, and he clapped the guy on the shoulder. “Good man.”
Gia followed him into the club, noise hitting her like a slap to the face.Ugh, she was not a club girl. Lights and loud noises overwhelmed her even when they didn’t necessarily trigger her migraines.
Marc led Gia to a roped-off area where his friends sat with a bunch of women, some of whom Gia recognized, and many more she didn’t. Marc shouted introductions to a few people and snapped at his friends to behave themselves.
Gia barely heard any of it, and not because of the music. She was buzzing out of her skin, counting the seconds until she could slip away.
Tessa disentangled from her boyfriend and came over. “Gia, babe. It’s been for-fucking-ever. Love your dress.”
“Thanks.” Gia’s cheeks heated. Tessa was beautiful, and despite what Gia had said to Marc, didn’t give a shit about designer bags. At least not any more than your typical rich person did. “How’ve you been?”
Tessa tossed her silken hair over her shoulder, exposing her collarbone and slender neck. “Ugh, bored. We should dance.”
Gia’s stomach flipped. “Totally. Let me put this in Marc’s office.” She gestured to the damnbag.
Tessa chuckled, but more like she thought Gia’s inappropriate accessory was cute than like she was making fun. “Hurry back. Okay?”
Gia nodded, and Tessa turned to one of the other women, placing a hand on her elbow as she leaned in to speak to her.
Gia swallowed, her throat parched. Tessa had always been like that, touchy and incredibly friendly. Gia had spent a great deal of time in high school hoping it had meant something more. It hadn’t.
She elbowed her brother. “I’m going to leave this in your office.”
Marc shook his head like he found her ridiculous. “Knew your bag was too much. Let’s go. I’ve got to check a few things upstairs anyway.”
Gia gritted her teeth, but she’d suspected he wouldn’t leave her side so soon. Protesting his presence would only backfire. She’d have to wait for Marc to get bored of following her around.
They navigated the crowd to the rear stairs, where two men stood guard, preventing patrons from wandering into the office area.
“Marco, can I have a word?” one of the men asked as they approached.
Marc crossed his arms, inclining his chin. “Sure, what’s up?”
Gia seized her chance. “I’ll run to your office while you guys talk.”
Marc grabbed her shoulder, halting her. “Who’s up there?” he asked the guard.
“Top floor’s empty at the moment. Todd’s in the control room behind the bar. He’s got some footage you should see. Sooner rather than later.”
Marc sighed. “Shit. Go on, Gia.” He pointed a menacing,ringed finger at the guards. “She stays upstairs alone or waits here with you until I return. No one else goes up. Got it?”
They nodded so seriously you’d think Marc had asked them to look after live explosives. Gia could have rolled her eyes. The sheer drama.
Marc headed down the hall toward the security room and was soon out of sight. Gia hurried up the stairs. The top floor was deserted, as promised, and she slipped into Marc’s office, shutting the door behind her.
There were no cameras in here. It was one of the few places in the club that wasn’t under surveillance. Gia set her purse on Marc’s desk and pulled out the backpack she’d hidden within, leaving her wallet and regular phone behind.
Sweat beaded at the nape of her neck. Holy fuck, this was happening.
She took the backpack into the adjoining bathroom and pulled out the hoodie and leggings she’d packed along with the ten grand in cash she’d had stashed in her room. Gia might not have accomplished much over the years, but she wasn’t naïve. She’d been tucking money away forever.
