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“No, but they’re in the industry.” Bianca doesn’t explain anymore, hunching down in her seat as she taps away at her phone.
“Film or drugs? I knew Talon was into some shady shit, but this is beyond what I had expected.” I remain stoic, my curiosity turning me bold. When I agreed to be Stacia’s bodyguard, I thought it would be against the paparazzi and the occasional stalker. She’s known as a party girl, but she’s more famous because of her wealth. As far as I knew, she tried the celebrity life and backed out of it. She graduated from one of the most prestigious universities in California and is supposed to take over the family business. If her father ever decides to give it up.
“Film,” Bianca says, nonchalantly. “Talon isn’t really into the drug scene either, just so you know. You can blame Esteban and Christos for that. Mr. St. Germaine hired them to better control the club scene. You know how it is. Rock stars and celebrities. Wealthy people who just want to have a good time. Keep them happy and business thrives. It’s better to have a tap on the market and complete control than to give away any sort of profit to somebody who could destroy you.”
Her words surprise me. I thought she was basically Stacia’s sidekick, but Bianca knows a lot more than she lets on.
“A lot of these production deals depend on keeping clients happy, no matter what it is.” She finally looks up at me from her phone, probably sensing that I’m staring at her, waiting because of the red light. “I wouldn’t think too much about it, to be honest. It’s safer that way.”
I cock an eyebrow and turn my attention back to my phone as it lights up with another text message.
Beautiful: We have to stop by the Looking Glass. My dad wants to see me. Talon says to go back to Malibu and wait for us. Take the night off.
I usually wouldn’t question orders, but something is definitely up, especially if I’m dropping off Bianca as well. There’s no point in driving to Malibu if we’re all at the same place. I can just wait around. It’s better this way. As much as Talon swears he can protect Stacia, it is my responsibility. Not to mention that I don’t trust the company he keeps.
I fucking hate that Stacia continues to fall for Esteban’s charm. He seems like the type to discard someone once he gets bored. He loves the chase and competition. He’s not exactly an upstanding citizen. His drugs caused the death of an innocent bystander. He could’ve very well also been responsible for drugging us. I’ve seen the toxicity reports, and they mirror what I know about the Jabberwocky drugs. Doesn’t matter how pure he claims his to be.
“Go ahead and pull around the back and into the private structure. You can drop me off there.” Bianca motions to the side street, coming up past the nondescript building of the Looking Glass. During the day, it looks like nothing special with black painted bricks and windows. It’s not until night falls that it lights up.
I do as she says and maneuver the vehicle down the ramp and into the underground garage. I pull around to the elevator, stopping in front of it. Bianca doesn’t wait for me to get out, and a man in a suit comes from another car. He looks to be twice her age, and I suspect that might be Juan. Strolling to my window, he holds out a hundred-dollar bill.
“I don’t accept tips. Do you need help with her luggage?” I ask, cutting the engine.
The man frowns, and I realize he probably doesn’t know who I am. I’m not some driver.
“That would be great, Leandro. Come on, Juan. That’s Stacia’s bodyguard and not a driver. You should know that.” Bianca offers me a weak smile.
“I don’t have time to memorize the help.” He turns to me and motions to his car. “You can put everything in the trunk and close up before you leave. We have business to attend to. Thank you for bringing my daughter home.”
Juan nudges Bianca, getting her to walk toward the elevator. I stand in annoyance, glancing from my car to Juan’s. If Bianca wasn’t Stacia’s best friend, I’d just leave her stuff on the ground, but I’m a better man than that, despite me wanting to run a key over the perfect paint of Juan’s Porsche.
Another vehicle comes into the garage and parks by Juan. I recognize the actress immediately as the star of the latest blockbuster with her picture glowing across every damn billboard in the city. She ignores me as she walks by and heads to the elevator, pulling something that looks like a masquerade mask from her purse.
What the actual fuck?
I finish loading Juan’s Porsche and shut the hatch. I return to my vehicle and climb behind the wheel, keeping the engine off as another car pulls into the garage.
“I told you we wouldn’t be fucking late. I’ve about had it with His Majesty calling these spontaneous gatherings. His daughter needs to be controlled better. I don’t know why we even humor this bullshit.” A man in a suit steps from his Lamborghini and walks around to help the woman from the passenger seat.
“Give the girl a break. You remember what it was like being fresh out of college and free. She’ll mature up once this is behind her. I think it should just be a learning experience and not something that will ruin her life. I highly doubt she has it in her to actually murder someone.” The woman grasps the man’s face and presses a kiss to his forehead. “Now don’t argue in there or I won’t fuck you for a week. If you argue, you know the meeting lasts longer than it should. Just let His Majesty handle it. This is all a formality anyways.”
What the actual fuck? His Majesty? Surely they can’t be talking about Stacia’s father. What a fucking pretentious bastard if he’s making all these people refer to him as some sort of royalty. He’s a shady as fuck businessman with far too much money to even know what to do with.
I lean back in my seat, leaving the window cracked, and I stare in silence as another couple of cars come in and overdressed people head to the elevator. I spot a familiar vehicle, and Esteban gets out and rushes to the elevator without glancing around.
Beautiful: Are you ignoring my messages?
My phone buzzes with the text message, and I quickly snatch it off the dashboard and duck down, spotting Talon’s familiar SUV. A part of me wants Stacia to catch me so I can confront her, but the nosy part of me wants to know what the hell is going on. This is not just Stacia meeting her father here. This is some sort of group meeting among the rich and famous. And I want to know more. My curiosity won’t let me go.
I quickly tap my finger across my screen.
Me: Sorry, beautiful. I was driving and just stopped to grab something to eat. Are you sure you don’t want me to stay around and wait? I’m a few blocks away from the Looking Glass.
Beautiful: Talon says to go back to Malibu.
Me: Is that what you want for me to do?
A car door slams, and Talon and Christos exit the vehicle while Stacia remains inside. Talon doesn’t help her out, and instead strides toward the elevator. Christos is the one to stay behind, and I frown as I peek over the dashboard, spying as he waits for her to open the door.
