Prologue - Who do you think you are?

Prologue - Who do you think you are?

I walk into the darken bar, I walk up to the bar I place my purse on the dark countertop. I take a seat and my eyes fall around the room. He’s not here yet. I stop myself from tapping my foot nervously. I hated these meetings. I cross my legs one over the other.

The bar is famous for being discreet, a place you could come to, and no one will know who you are. It’s an upscale bar, used by the rich and famous, dirty Politian’s it looks like Las Vegas threw up in here. From the pink flamingos at the door to the show girls on the stage.

I hated meeting here, but it was the only place could meet with him. He was known for hiding in the shadows. He was known for his games more than anything. He was worldwide known for his attention to detail as well as his love for being a playboy. Meeting with him more than once a week was so damn risky it could blow up in my face one day. Not that I have much time though.

I flag down the bartender at the end of the bar, he walks over to me, he looks down at my coat. His face turns three shades of red. I try with everything in me not to roll my eyes. He thinks I’m naked under this coat.

I don’t care, it takes the focus off my face.

Though this place is known for discretion it doesn’t mean people don’t know who my family is, and they could use me to get to them, my face would be all over the evening news.

I’ve known the bartender for years now, he is young, paying off student loans, while working part-time. I pay him to look the other way which led Andy to believe I’m a high-end hooker. Not that I mind, anything is better than him finding out who I really am. If he knew what I was really doing here, he’d run for the hills. He’s in a black shirt, a red waist coat, unlike the other servers, who are wearing nothing but black dress pants.

“Champagne?” he asks.

I tip my head forehead slightly in agreement. I shouldn’t be drinking about I have to order something.

Andy thinks he knows who I am, and what I do, I’ve only ever met one man here and he assumes I’m being paid to be here.

Andy places the glass in front of me, I take it by the stem, but don’t bring it to my mouth, I don’t drink unless I have to and tonight after this I’ll have to. Which means I can’t drink this. The alcohol burns my insides, and I would much rather not do that to my body.

Across the room, I watch him walk in, relief washes over me. he walks straight toward me, he’s tall, about 6’1 maybe 6’2, his dark hair peppered with grey hair on the sides. He has always been handsome. He takes a seat beside me ordering himself a whiskey neat.

I give him a tight smile when he looks at me.

“Hello,” he says in a confident, smooth voice as always.

He acts this way every single time we meet. He gives no indication that he’s ever seen or met me before.

I smile tipping my head as to greet him.

“Are you here for the fashion show?” he asks, resting his arm lazily on top of the bar.

“No, I’m here for business not pleasure…” I tell him.

Andy leaves us.

As always, the music got a little louder so no one could hear our conversation.

“So how many this time?” he asks.

My eyes fall on him. I lean in closer. “Five…” I tell him.

His eyes widen. I knew they would. I knew he’d be mad. “That’s too many… There’s no way I could do this… They’re already onto me as it is.” he shakes his head.

Andy returns. “Anything else for the two of you?” he asks, eyeing us.

Carter looks over at Andy, his eyes flash with irritation.

I smile at Andy. “No nothing for us…” I say.

A man sits to my left looks at my legs. I could feel the heated stare. I hated it, I did my best to ignore it, but it was getting increasingly harder.

I look over at him. He smiles confidently of course he is I recognize him. Senator Lance Quinney.

“I’d ask to buy you a drink.” I cut him off.

“No thank you…” I say softly before turning back to Carter.

“Jianna, we got to talk about this…” he tells me.

Jianna my second name, given to me by my parents, the people who birthed me.

I nod. “I need all five by the weekend. It’s urgent. I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t…” I tell him.

He sighs. Giving me a stiff nod.

“Give me a few days. I’ll have it sorted. The docks…” he says.

I nod.

“What’s your name?” The Senator asks again.

I roll my eyes at him ignoring him. Entitled as all of them are.

“It’s time to get going. I’ll have them picked up…” Carter tells me.

I nod.

I stand, placing two one-hundred-dollar bills on the table before picking up my purse before walking out.

My car’s waiting for me on the side of the road. I get in.

“To the Redford hotel Reese…” I tell my driver.

Getting rid of my coat, tossing it on the seat beside me.

I switch my purse for my clutch. I untie my hair letting it fall down to my shoulders. Switching my blush pink lipstick for a red lip. Switching my no name heels for the new CR’s. If I walked in there without it would cause an argument I wasn’t ready for.

I run my fingers through my hair one more time before the car comes to a stop.

Reece gets out and opens the door for me. ready my smile and get out.

Cameras flash everyone screaming my name.

I straighten my back and smile brighter.