Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 70524 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 353(@200wpm)___ 282(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70524 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 353(@200wpm)___ 282(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
“Or even if it was meant for me, it could mean anything.” I scratch my chin. “She doesn’t speak any English. Maybe she’s asking for help with that. Or maybe she heard me talk about how I work in the hospital. Maybe she wants medical advice.”
But I think back to the very first time I saw Seven. The flash of fear I saw in her eyes. I know that look, and I recognized it in the instant that she let her mask slip.
I didn’t think much of it at the time. I ended up getting distracted by my intense attraction to Maddox, and after that first kiss outside my apartment, my mind was completely clouded over.
And of course, the sex last night…
I shake it out of my head. Bigger fish to fry right now.
Maybe I can go back to the club…
The club!
My credit card is still there.
Perfect cover to go in and check things out.
Will they let me in without Maddox?
They have to, right? My personal property is in there.
What would happen if I left my card there and Maddox dropped dead—God forbid—and couldn’t let me back in?
I suppose I could always just get a new credit card.
But whatever. They have to let me settle my debt if they want to make money.
I turn to Dinah. “Can you cover for me for an hour or so?”
Dinah widens her eyes. “Alissa, you’re not going to do something stupid, are you?”
I grab my purse off the counter. “I’ll let you know. Please, Dinah, will you?”
She narrows her eyes. “Are you sure you’ll be safe?”
“Of course. I just remembered I left my credit card at the club last night. It’s around the corner. I’ll pop in and grab it. If I happen to see the girl who left me the note, maybe I can clarify if she meant for me to receive it.”
“All right.” Dinah glances at the clock behind the nurses’ station. “One hour?”
“One hour. Text me if there’s any news on Lou.”
“Sure thing, Liss.” She grabs my arm. “Just promise me you’ll be careful.”
I laugh, though it comes out as more of a nervous chuckle. “It’s an underground bar. How bad could it be?”
A few minutes later, I’ve grabbed my coat, scarf, and hat and am walking to the alleyway off Randolph and State. I locate the black door with the four card suits on it and walk inside.
Chet is sitting on the fur-lined couch in the foyer, reading a copy of the Chicago Tribune. He peers over the newspaper, widening his eyes.
“Miss Wonder, what are you doing here?”
“Hi, Chet.” I smile. “I left my credit card here last night.”
Chet cocks his head. “I noticed you left in a hurry. I hope you didn’t run into…”—his eyebrows twitch—“trouble.”
From the way Chet said “trouble,” I wonder if he knows about my run-in with those three goons in leather jackets last night. I have a feeling he knows a lot more than he lets on.
I dust off my jacket. “I’m fine now, that’s what matters. And I need to go downstairs and get my credit card. I won’t be a minute.”
Chet presses his lips together. “I’m afraid the rules of the club still stand. Because you are not a member, I cannot allow you inside unless you are a guest of someone on the list.”
“Yes, but I’m not actually going to go to the club. I’m going to settle my tab, turn right back around, and leave. It’ll take thirty seconds.”
Chet grins. “Even thirty-second visits are against club policy, Miss Wonder.” He shrugs. “If you want to come back with Mr. Hathaway or another member, I’ll gladly let you inside.”
“That’s ridiculous.” I point at the door. “I’ve already been down there. Twice now. It’s not like I don’t know what it looks like. Plus, if I never settle my tab, you’ll never get the money for my drinks.”
“One gin and tonic and one dirty vodka martini are hardly enough to put our ledgers in the red.”
“That’s hardly any way to run a—” I stop, narrowing my eyes at him. “Wait, how do you know what our drink orders were?”
Chet raises his eyebrows, his eyes shining playfully. “It’s my job to know, Miss Wonder.”
“It’s hardly the job of a bouncer to memorize the drinks of his club’s patrons.”
His nostrils flare slightly. Only slightly, but I notice. “I’m sure you understand by this point that Aces Underground is no normal club.”
“What if I don’t come back with Maddox? You have my credit card—my personal property—and I demand that you allow me to go down and retrieve it.”
“If you don’t want to call Mr. Hathaway or another member to escort you, you’re welcome to call your bank to get a new credit card.”
I slam my hands down on the desk. “This is ridiculous. Just let me go down there, Chet.”