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Archer grins and nods. “Exactly. Don’t ask me to explain the science behind it. But it works.”
“So, are you thinking of outfittingFashionandFeverwith these cameras as well?” Garfield looks at me.
I mull for a moment. “You’ve already had the inspection done to ensure that the infrastructure can accommodate the devices, right? One thing that cannot be said of the Forbes clubs is that any patron feels unsafe. I will not have a repeat of what happened atFeverlast month.”
“None of us want a repeat of that.” Archer’s lips curve downward unpleasantly. “I didn’t branch out from Chicago to have my reputation and company shot to hell, you know? I’m just glad we caught it before things escalated. We can’t afford to have any bad press, especially when the city is giving you such a hard time about getting more permits for more clubs.”
I shrug. “It’s their loss. I have a plan up my sleeve for a new location. When I have things fine-tuned, we’ll discuss further. But for now, we all agree that these cameras are good to go?”
The two men nod their approval. They leave the loft shortly after to mix and mingle in the club, but I spend the rest of the night playing with my new toy. It is not until the first fingers of dawn touch the sky that I decide to call it a night. I drag myself home, feeling accomplished. the past weeks of disappointments have only spurred me on to find more innovative methods of expanding my operations.
I park in the driveway and bound up the steps two at a time. I stifle a yawn as I make my way up the stairs to my suite. I am almost at the top of the stairs when Sylvia calls me from below.
“Good morning. Are you just getting in?”
I turn and look down at her. “Yup.”
A shadow crosses her face. “Oh.”
I frown. “What is it?”
“It’s not a big deal. Go get some rest.”
I close my eyes and sigh before taking a seat on the top step. “That usually means it’s a big deal.”
“It’s just that you promised Ryan a swimming lesson before breakfast. He’s been waiting at the pool and he refuses to move until you come,” Sylvia reminds me.
“But I told him we’d swim Saturday morning,” I point out.
She gives me a strange look. “Lucan, itisSaturday morning.”
I look at her blankly. Then I close my eyes and breathe out roughly. “I’m sorry, Sylvia. I’ve been losing track of time. Work is keeping me so busy.”
“I know. And I know how hard you work too. Honestly, I could have asked Summer to do it but he wants to swim withyou. Plus, this is her weekend off. But it’s okay. I’ll fix it.” She turns away.
“Give me five minutes to change and I’ll be right down.”
“Lucan, you’re tired. You don’t have to—”
I shake my head. “I know, but I want to. He’s my son and I have to start acting more like a father.”
“Lucan, you’re doing your best.”
“But I could be doing more. Tell him I’ll be right there.”
I turn and continue to my room. As promised, I am at the pool in less than five minutes. my eyes burning with exhaustion.
“Daddy! I’m ready for my swimming lesson!”
“So I see. What do you want to learn first?”
“I want to dive!”
“Okay!”
I teach him the simplest dive I know which is to kneel on the side of the pool and lean in. He catches it quickly and we are soon kicking and splashing.
“How about we learn something else now? Like floating. Floating is very important, and if you ever find yourself in trouble, it will keep you alive.” I get him on his back and hold his head above the water.
