Page 37 of Sinful Empire (Mount Trilogy 3)
“Yes! Yes, we did!” Temperance says, excitement in her voice.
I pull up my own copy and read through the fine print, then check the calendar.
“They’re within the window. They would lose the entire fifty-percent deposit if they cancel now.” Relief—sweet, sweet relief—bubbles up in my belly. “There’s no way they’re going to want to pay for half a party they’re not getting, will they?”
“No, ma’am. Do you want me to call and remind them, or do you?”
I think of my other options, continuing to pace the room. “I’ll call them. Make it friendly. Pose it as I would hate for you to lose that deposit just because of a little scare that can’t last much longer.”
“Do you have some kind of secret insight into how long this craziness is going to last?” Temperance asks.
“Of course not,” I say, which isn’t completely a lie. “But I can sure tell the team that they’d be making a poor business decision based on irrational fears, and would be much better off not losing their deposit right now.”
“I’ll let you handle that one, boss. I think it’ll be better coming from you.”
“Fair enough. What’s next?”
“Jeff Doon wants to know if we’ve made any progress on prepping to start tours. But, obviously, he isn’t pushing to start them right away.”
“Maybe it’s a blessing in disguise. We’re not ready yet. Anything else?”
“I think that’s it for now, except . . .” Her question trails off.
“What?”
“Are you still somewhere safe? I can’t help but worry about you.”
I look around the luxurious suite, inside what’s probably the most well-guarded compound in the city. “I’m safe. I promise.”
“And there’s nothing else you want to tell me?”
“Not right now. I’ll be back soon, though. Like I said, if you think there’s any question of danger, you have my authority to tell Louis to shut down operations immediately and evacuate the building. The security guys will take you home and make sure nothing happens to anyone.”
“We’re not going anywhere. Louis would no sooner leave those stills than leave a newborn in the street.”
How I earned such devotion and loyalty from my employees, I’ll never really understand, but I’m thankful for it all the same.
“You’re both getting hazard pay for this. Keep me posted if anything changes.”
“Will do. Same to you.”
When we hang up, I make the call to Mr. Joseph, the Voodoo Kings’ PR director, reminding him of the termination clause they agreed to. After some sputtering and protests, and my assuring him that everything will be fine, he agrees not to cancel the event.
That’s a victory for the day.
As soon as I get off that call, I start pacing again.
I can’t help it.
I won’t be able to stop until I see Lachlan again for myself, and with each hour that passes, I worry more and more.
Mount
“How many more?” I ask Saxon, lowering my scope. In just under seventy-two hours, we’ve rid New Orleans of nearly every member of Eduardo’s crew.
“Four. They’re huddled like bitches in that compound.” The hit man sounds disgusted at the cowardice shown by the cartel leaders.
“They’ve got you on their asses, so I’d expect nothing less.”
