An attendant opened the door at our approach, and I stepped into a different world.
Nexus’s main lounge felt like an exclusive cocktail party with tinted mirrored walls, low lighting, and soft music as guests mingled over drinks from the main bar.
Konni led me toward a hallway off the main lounge.An attendant nodded us through to a corridor lined with numbered doors, like Seventeen Twenty-One.Except these rooms were open to anyone who could afford privacy for the night.
As we passed, I glanced through the narrow glass panels in the doors.Inside, people drank and talked.In one room, a woman straddled a man’s lap while other men watched.
After that room, the doors had no windows.
Thankfully, when Konni opened ours, nothing questionable was happening inside.
Three men paused their conversation as we entered.
“Mr.Steele, I’m glad you could make it,” a man said, standing to offer his hand to Konni.
“Mr.Pennly.Good to see you again.This is Ms.Elmantas.She’s been working on the Southside build and giving valuable insight.I thought you might appreciate her keen observation on your build as well.”
He shook my hand, his gaze briefly assessing and dismissive.I wasn’t offended.I was still a nobody.
Konni led me to a sofa perpendicular to the door, giving me the seat closest to the clients while taking the spot next to me.The taller of the two men poured us both two fingers of an alcohol that I knew cost more than I’d ever want to spend on a drink.
“I’ve heard you want to change the scope of the project,” Konni said, jumping right into the conversation.
“Yes.It’s a large lot and should be able to accommodate another twenty rooms at least.”
Konni thoughtfully nodded.“The lot does have the space.Not sure your budget does, though.”
“It could if we change some of the materials.”Pennly reached for a folder on the table and tried to hand it to Konni.
Konni glanced at me.
Understanding, I took the folder and opened it.
The list of building materials didn’t make much sense to me, but I spotted the changes.Thinner wood.Fewer nails.A decrease in every item, essentially, whether in count, size, or quality.
The second page started listing things I understood, thanks to the tour of the Southside project.Electrical.Plumbing.They wanted to cut everything from outlets to light fixtures to the way the water lines run.
The final list was for fixtures themselves.They were proposing to replace items with high-end names I knew with off-brands for a fraction of the cost.
I glanced at Konni.He was watching me closely.
Was he testing me?
He arched a brow, and I realized this wasn’t a test.He honestly thought I could deal with this.What was this, though?
I thought back to what Lianna had said and understood what Konni wanted.
This wasn’t a negotiation.Steele wouldn’t cut corners.This was an opportunity to steer the client back on track or cancel the contract.
I closed the folder and looked at Mr.Pennly, who was sipping his drink, an indication of his disregard and assurance that he’d get his way.
“What are your goals for the build?”I asked.
“To make money, obviously,” he said with a condescending chuckle.
“Well, you could have invested in an established franchise if that’s all you were interested in,” I said.“But you don’t strike me as a man who wants to be known for making his money off fried chicken enthusiasts.”
His expression lost some of its humor.He cleared his throat and sat up straighter, looking from me to Konni.
