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Chapter 35
Saffi
Iwas walking on clouds thanks to Ed’s praise, and more determined than ever to get the info I needed to finish my story. The day had clicked by at an agonizing pace, but when it was finally time to head to the club, I couldn’t get there fast enough. Ambition. Desire. Secrets. I was learning they were all double-edged swords.
And at the moment, my ambition was a blessing. It kept me from fixating on Varden. But I knew that drama and disappointment would catch up with me later. Things like that always did.
“Hey, Dad,” I said, entering his study. “I’m heading out.”
He looked up from his computer. “Well, well. I am starting to suspect there is some very lucky young man out there. You look lovely.”
I looked down at my trench coat. All that was really showing was my pencil skirt and high heels. He didn’t need to see the rest of my outfit.
“Thanks, Dad. I’ll see you later.”
“Okay, sweetie.”
“Oh, Dad?”
“Yeah?” he asked.
“You know that client of yours, Varden? Do you know much about him?”
He set down his pen. “Varden Gallagher? I know a lot about him. Why?”
I shrugged nonchalantly. “I ran into him downtown,” I lied.
Dad smiled and his suspicion went right where I thought it would. “He’s a ladies’ man, Saffi. Set your sights on someone else.”
No kidding.
“What else do you know about him?” I asked.
He paused. “Well, he’s very successful. Probably one of the richest men in San Francisco. Very hard working and has a lot of integrity. The business he’s in does not always attract the most scrupulous people. But from what I’ve seen of his dealings, he’s very trustworthy.”
“Huh. Okay.” I hadn’t expected to hear such high praise. If he only knew…
Confusion crossed his face. “Why are you asking?”
I shrugged with an innocent smile. “I don’t know. Just curious, I guess. And nosy.”
“All right. Have a great night.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
* * *
On my drive across town, I practiced what I’d say to Miss M when I arrived. She’d probably be on my ass, asking questions like she usually did. But thanks to Varden’s warning, I knew to be careful.
I could just tell her I was working on a story for the Post. What was the harm at this point? If she were smart, she’d cooperate and participate. That way, her perspective would be part of it.
That’s what everyone wanted, wasn’t it?
I had to admit, in spite of everything else, Varden’s warning was a blessing. It was a generous gesture and he’d done me a huge favor. And I sure hadn’t thanked him for it. For a moment, I thought about un-blocking him from my phone. I owed him that, didn’t I?
I arrived at the club, and before getting out of the car, looked around. From the street, one would never suspect any sign of life beyond the club’s heavy wooden door, much less all the sexiness that happened there.
And I knew all M wanted to do was protect that. I couldn’t blame her.
I stuffed my trench in the trunk and ran as fast as I could in my heels. As usual, fog billowed down the San Francisco street, leaving me covered in goosebumps by the time I reached the door. For a change, a bouncer opened it. Where was M?
I scanned the room, finding the party in full swing. Couples, threesomes, and small groups sized each other up, enthusiastic about the promise of an erotic encounter.
I figured I’d probably run into Varden—or was it G?—at some point. I needed to level with him, take some responsibility for all that went down. But at the moment, I was here to work.
If M were on to me as Varden had said, it might be my last time in attendance. But for tonight, the plan was to branch out and talk to some different people to see if I could learn anything new. And from the looks of it, it didn’t seem it would take long. A man and woman were eying me from the other side of the bar. I nodded back, and they approached.
But before they could reach me, there was a hand on me shoulder.
M.
Big surprise.
“Hi!” I said like I was greeting a long lost friend.
Smiling and elegant beyond description, she placed a hand on my elbow. “So good to see you, my dear. Would you come to my office for a sec to chat?”
“Well, um…” I bobbed my head toward the approaching couple.
But she only tightened her grip. “We won’t be long. I’m sure your new friends won’t mind.” She attempted to steer me in the direction of her office.
I took a look back, and the couple waved to me. I wanted to tell them I’d be right back. Just in case I wasn’t. But I didn’t get the chance.
We wove through the crowd, dodging everyone who knew M and who wanted to chat. She apologized to them all, saying she had a pressing matter to take care of. The entire time, she never loosened her grip on my elbow.
I steeled myself for a confrontation, thinking through what I might say. Really, there were only two ways to go: deny everything, or admit I was from the paper. Each had its pros and cons.
M ushered me into the office, closing the door behind us. The lock clicked quietly and my awareness jumped into overdrive. I stayed right next to the door, casually leaning against it.
“Please take a seat, B.”
I don’t think so.
“Thanks M, but I’ll stand. I want to get back to my new friends.”
She stood close to me. Too close. Somehow, her face remained beautiful while her eyes were dark and hard. “I know you’re up to something. I’m not sure what. But I know your type.”
I forced a laugh. “That’s ridiculous. My type. What are you talking about?”
“I want to know what you’re doing here. What are you after?”
I kept smiling. “I’m here for the same reason everyone else here is.”
I could smell the hatred coming off her. “You don’t know me very well, B. But ask anyone. They will tell you I don’t suffer fools. And I don’t let anyone mess with my club.”
“I’m not messing with your club. I don’t know what you are talking about.” Why hadn’t I brought that tiny recorder Ed had offered me?
She moved even closer. Her expensive perfume was exquisite and belied her menacing demeanor. Her fists were balled by her sides.
My heart pounded. It had been a mistake to come here. Especially since I’d told no one where I was. Maybe Varden was right…being on M’s “watch list” could be dangerous.
Before I could think of what to say, there was a loud banging at the door.
M called out, “I’m in a meeting. A private meeting.”
The banging continued.
“I said I’m in a meeting.”
“M, open the goddamn door right now,” a familiar voice called through the door. “I know you have B in there with you.”
Holy shit, it was Varden. I braced myself against the wall and pushed M as hard as I could. She toppled backward and fell on her ass, her expression one of pure rage.
I turned to flip the lock on the door, and as soon as I did, Varden came flying in. He wasn’t wearing his mask. And he was fucking beautiful.
