“Thank you.” I pull a few twenties from my wallet and hand them to him once he stops. “I’ll see myself out.”
I step out amidst a small crowd of guests dressed in pastels. There’s no doubt in my mind that most of these people have never worked a day in their lives, and the hardest part about being “them,” is deciding between hot yoga and Pilates for the afternoon.
If it weren’t for Lucas inviting me, I would’ve never come to a party like this.
At least that’s what I’m telling myself.
Walking up the steps, I step into a grand estate that’s drenched in white. Tuxedoed waiters weave through guests with trays of champagne and hors d'oeuvres, while a singer in a bright blue suit croons Frank Sinatra with a piano across the room.
“So glad you made it here for the weekend, Mr. Tate.” “Me, too. It’s an honor seeing you.” Scarlett’s two oldest brothers approach me.
It always takes me a minute to determine which one is Ryan and which one is Antonio since they look like twins and they both annoy me in the same exact way.
“There are tons of hot women here and a lot more coming,” Antonio—I think, says. “I bet you could have any woman you wanted at tomorrow’s yacht send off.”
“I’ll probably be leaving tonight,” I say. “But I’ll be sure to tell your father I appreciate the invite.”
“Oh, come on!” Ryan pats my shoulder. “It’s practically free pussy, Mr. Tate. Surely you could use some after all the work we’re making you do. I know I’ll be taking advantage.”
“Aren’t both of you married?” I ask.
“Not during this weekend,” they say in unison, laughing.
I don’t laugh with them.
I see why she pretends like you don’t exist…
“We’ll get you to change your mind later, I’m sure,” Antonio says. Then he lowers his voice. “Do you think the feds are watching us at this party?”
“I know they are.” I glance around the room. “I would lay low until the indictment if I were you.”
“So, you think we’re really getting charged?” His face pales. “Dad said it’s a maybe.”
“If it was a ‘maybe’ I wouldn’t be doing ‘all the work’ you literally just mentioned…”
“Right, right.” He nods. “So, you think some of them are undercover right now at this party? Can you tell me who you think they might be?”
My town car driver and half the waitstaff…
“Don’t worry about it this weekend,” I say. “Just don’t do anything crazy.”
He looks at me like I’m speaking a foreign language, and Ryan steps closer.
“Off the record, do you think we’d survive in a federal prison?”
Hell no. “You’re not going to prison.” I take a glass off a waiter’s tray. “Focus on something and try to enjoy your weekend.”
I walk away in search of their father so I can show my face and leave.
After crossing through four more colossal rooms and a kitchen large enough for a staff of eighty, I spot Lucas chatting with three businessmen I’ve worked with before.
Unlike him, though, their companies operate above board, and they’re actually terrified about breaking the law.
He looks over mid-laugh and lifts his glass.
Good enough.I lift mine and set a timer on my phone.
Twenty minutes.
