Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 83961 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83961 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
“Why do you ask?”
“Well, I know how difficult it is to break into show business. And it seems you’ve been having a harder time than most.”
“Ouch.”
Not wrong, though.
“Not to offend, of course. It’s hard for anyone. People with twice your talent probably don’t get in the door nearly as much as they should.”
Ah, the classic Rouge Montrose backhanded compliment.
“So what if I did leave New York? You going to hire me as a waitress?”
She laughs. “Of course not. I have a plan for the waitstaff. Should revolutionize the place. But I’ll need a lounge singer. Would you be interested?”
I nearly drop the phone.
Rouge was just implying that I lack the talent to have a career on the stage. And now she’s offering me a job?
“How much would the pay be?”
“We can talk pay later. But I assure you it’ll be a lot more than you’re making now. And you’ll be able to earn additional money as your needs require.”
“How will I be able to do that?”
“We’ll discuss it later. But you’ll be working full-time as a singer. It would be as an independent contractor, but I’ll see what I can do to get you some benefits like health insurance and a retirement plan. Isn’t that your dream?”
I draw in a slow breath. “I suppose, but it’s not my dream to be handed the job by my big sister.”
Especially after what she did to me in our childhood. I never allow myself to think about it, but the memories are there. And they’re not going anywhere.
She chuckles again. “Don’t be silly, Bianca. I wouldn’t be offering you the position if I didn’t think you would do well.”
“Still, though. It feels like nepotism.”
“Of course it’s nepotism. But isn’t everything in this world?”
True. Rouge was Dad’s favorite, so she got the club.
I guess she’s trying to throw me a bone.
“Okay.” I take a deep breath. “Talk me through it.”
Rouge saved me when I hit rock bottom.
But that doesn’t excuse what she’s done.
And I won’t allow her to get away with this.
“Bianca!”
A harsh whisper from behind me nearly makes me jump out of my skin as I enter my dressing room. I turn with a start.
It’s Harrison.
“Oh, thank God. You scared me.”
“Sorry.” He exhales. “I just saw you slip in here and wanted to talk to you. I think I might know where we’ll find this writing raven.”
I widen my eyes. “Really? Where?”
“The women’s restroom.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Why there?”
“I don’t know for sure. But it’s the only place I haven’t looked yet, besides the places I’m not allowed to go.” I pace back and forth. “But it makes sense for a place to hide something, right? Easy access from the secret entrance and all.”
I scratch the side of my head. “Okay…”
He holds up a hand. “You’re not convinced. Neither am I. But it’s the only place I haven’t looked. Obviously I can’t go in and look without a woman going in first to make sure the coast is clear.”
I’m about to tell him that what he’s saying makes no sense, but then I feel the familiar twitch above my eyebrow. It could just be nerves—this is a high-stakes situation, after all—but it hasn’t led me astray yet.
Maybe Harrison is right. There could be something in the ladies’ restroom hiding in plain sight.
“Let’s try it out.” I check my phone. “I have fifteen minutes until my next set. Rouge sometimes comes in and checks on me during my breaks, but there are a lot of extra people here for the holiday. They should keep her busy.”
He nods. “Great. Thanks for trying this out for me, babe.”
I get on my tiptoes and kiss his cheek. “I have a feeling you might be right about this.” I open my dressing room door and peek through. Rouge is all the way across in Spades, and no one seems to be paying much attention to the area surrounding the ladies’ restroom. I gesture Harrison to follow behind me.
We cross quickly toward the restroom. I go inside first, and the coast is clear. The three stalls are empty, and there’s no one sitting on the fainting couch at the entrance or adjusting their makeup in the mirror.
I open the door. “It’s empty. Come in.”
He enters, and together we push the fainting couch against the door to keep people from coming inside while we look around.
“Let’s be quick,” I say. “You never know when my sister might have to heed nature’s call.”
Harrison chuckles. “I didn’t think Rouge would ever be caught doing something so human as taking a shit.”
I let out a short laugh. It’s a funny thing to say. Unfortunately, I have seen the human side of Rouge, and it might be even more terrifying than her Queen side.
“Let’s look around. See if anything looks out of place.”
He nods.
I check the mirror behind the sink—since mirrors seem to be important to this section of the club—but find nothing. No secret cabinet or anything. I run my hands along the upholstery of the fainting couch. It’s all original stitching.