Chapter 45

When I head back to the dining room, Lupe and Gabriella are setting up the promised refreshments. They've included several bottles of wine along with cheese, crackers, and fruit. There's also a carafe of water. They leave without a word. I fill a wineglass with water and walk to the head of the table where the ladies left me a seat. Cori is sitting next to me.

"She served us food, which is a miracle, so I'll give you props. Ladies," she glances around the table, "the queen bitch isn't here. Introduce yourselves and be nice at least until QB returns."

They laugh and the tension leaves the room.

"I'm Angela," the woman on Cori's right says. She's petite, Asian, and as beautiful as the other women. One by one they introduce themselves. A few give what I think must be their working names.

"Please serve yourself if you're hungry. I ask that you don't have more than a glass or two of wine. We need to stay alert. If something goes down, you'll follow me to a safe location." I sweep my eye