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Thinking of licenses caused another sigh to escape from Rebecca’s lips. She checked her watch, noting that she had a mere twenty minutes before the person she needed to speak with left for the day. Nothing like a bit of stress to keep her on her toes. With that in mind, she picked up the phone.

“Mr. Schumer, it’s Rebecca Cuinn calling for Samantha Pryce,” she said when a man answered the phone.

“Miss Cuinn, I’m heading out in a few minutes. So, unless you’re calling to tell me you’ve come up with the past-due fees, there’s nothing more to discuss.”

Rebecca pinched the bridge of her nose. Remain calm. “Mr. Schumer, we’re set to open in less than three months and you’re threatening to revoke our zoning permit. This club has been selling alcohol in this area for over five years. You can’t just pull the rug out from under us.”

“I can, and I will. Blame your boss.”

Oh, Rebecca did blame Samantha. But that wouldn’t help her out of this situation. “Surely, we can find some way to settle this. I know that you and Ms. Pryce had found compromises before.” Those compromises consisted of unlimited time in the private rooms of the club in exchange for extensions on liquor license fees. After doing her homework, she discovered that good old Mr. Schumer had a wife that would be none-too-pleased to learn of that arrangement.

“Are you trying to blackmail me, Miss Cuinn?”

“Of course not. I’m merely trying to find a solution that works for everyone.”

“I cannot in good conscience keep this up, Miss Cuinn. Ms. Pryce has exhausted all of her extensions and owes in excess of $30,000 in fees and penalties.”

Extensions of which you approved of and penalties you ignored for some kicks of your own, Rebecca thought with disgust.

“I understand that, Mr. Schumer. However, I have to assume that if you hadn’t been so lenient before, she wouldn’t be in this position. Were your arrangements approved by your superiors?” Or your wife?

“You’re just as bad as her,” he spat back.

“I’m sorry you feel that way. But, since we’re trying to find a resolution before the relaunch, here’s what I’m proposing. We will pay half of the back fees and penalties. In return, you will make the necessary adjustments to show that we are caught up and in good standing. I will then request a new representative. After that, we move on with a fresh start.”

“What makes you think I’ll agree to this and not just block you?”

“Video surveillance,” Rebecca answered simply. Hell, she didn’t actually know if the private rooms had video. It didn’t matter if it was true if he believed it. Obviously, blackmail was another skill she had to learn quickly.

“Half,” Mr. Schumer grunted. “By the end of the week.” Click.

“Great. Now to find $15,000 in four days,” Rebecca muttered to herself. It was going to be another long night. That was something Rebecca was getting used to. It wasn’t easy. Not by any stretch of the imagination. She still had classes to attend. She couldn’t let her work here negate everything she’d done in college. Especially with less than a semester left. Yeah, all of her free time was spent here, but it wasn’t so bad. She had her own office, cramped as it was. And it wasn’t like she had a personal life to ruin anyway. This was her life. For now. She opened the side drawer of her small desk and randomly grabbed a take-out menu.

“Rebecca!”

Rebecca banged her head on her desk. “So close yet so far away.” Eating would have to wait. Again. She rose and made her way two doors down to Samantha’s office. Instead of entering, she stood in the doorway. “Yes?”

“Come in here and sit down. There are things I want to discuss.” Samantha absently waved towards the guest chair. “I have some changes that I need you to take to the contractor.”

“Changes?” She can’t be serious. We barely have the money to do what we’re doing now.

Samantha looked up with a proud smile. “A cigar lounge.”

“What?” The older woman pushed a piece of paper towards Rebecca. Yep. She had heard correctly. A cigar lounge. Complete with humidor cabinets and whiskey bar. “Samantha, this is impossible.”

“I don’t want to hear that. Just get it done.”

“Please listen to me. Not only are you asking me to tack on thousands of dollars that we don’t have, this will add at least another month to construction. We simply don’t have the resources.”

“This is what I hired you for, Rebecca. Call the investors and do what you need to do. Hell, fuck them if you have to. I want this room.”

Rebecca was speechless. Groveling she could handle. Blackmail? That was fine, too. But, it would be a frigid day in hell before she offered her body.

“No.”

“Excuse me?” Samantha’s voice turned to ice at Rebecca’s refusal.

“You hired me to help you and that’s exactly what I’ve done. I have jumped through hoop after hoop and nailed the goddamn landing every time. But, you telling me to sell my body for something you don’t need? That’s bullshit! The plans were drawn up, sent to the city, and approved. This isn’t just an investor problem. If you want to piss away your money you can do it without me.”