Page 67 of The VIP Doubles Down

“No, but Jaros does.”

Allie headed for the door. “I’ll text Gavin when I get there.”

“What if he refuses to see you?”

“I’ll sit on the front steps of the Bellwether Club until he changes his mind.”

“I owe you an apology,” Hugh said from behind her. “You’re a better friend to him than I.”

Ludmilla thought the plan was a good one, so Allie was quickly ensconced in the back of the Bentley en route to Gavin’s club.

Allie stared at her phone, trying to figure out what words would make him agree to see her. Finally, she typed,Are you at the Bellwether Club? Ludmilla is worried.

The Bentley slid smoothly between crazily veering taxis and buses spewing clouds of exhaust as she waited. Finally there was a ping from her phone.

I’m fine.

Not helpful. Allie texted back,You didn’t wear a coat so she thinks you’re freezing to death on the streets.

Yes, I’m at the club.

She could practically hear him growling as he typed.That’s a relief. Glad you’re warm and cozy.

There was another pause before he responded.Is Hugh being a polite host?

She decided not to tell him she was on her way there. Maybe she could talk her way in. The West Virginia accent sometimes helped with that.I came to see you, not Hugh.

I’m not good company right now.

I think I should be the judge of that.

“Miss Allie, we are here,” Jaros said as he guided the car to the curb.

Allie peered out the car window to see a tall brownstone with a massive stone staircase leading up to a door painted a solid, forbidding black. Carved gargoyles jutted from the building’s corners and cornices. The shadows cast by the dramatic up-lighting made them seem to sneer down at her. The only indication of what the mansion housed was a small plaque by the door, on which the initialsBCwere painted in gold curlicues.

“They don’t roll out the welcome mat here, do they?”

“Is not a place for people like you and me,” Jaros said.

“We’ll see about that.” She pushed open the car door just as Jaros got out to hold it for her.

She yanked down the hem of her quilted blue jacket. Marching up the steps, she looked for a doorbell. There was none. Nor did the heavy door sport a knocker. Glancing around, she saw a camera camouflaged by one of the gargoyles. She waved at it. Nothing happened.

So she pulled out her phone and typed:I’m standing on the steps of the Bellwether Club, and it’s cold out here. Tell TPTB to let me in.

It took close to a full minute before Gavin’s reply popped up on her screen.Go away.

“Well, that’s rude.” But at least he was reading her texts.No. If you find me frozen to death out here, it will be on your conscience.

Is Hugh with you?

Would Hugh’s presence be positive or negative in Gavin’s eyes? It didn’t matter. She wasn’t going to lie to him.No. I’m alone.

Then Jaros brought you. Get in the nice warm car and go home.

So his brain was still functioning. Too bad. She waved at the security camera again and gave it her friendliest smile.

Since there was still no response, she walked down two steps and took a seat right in the middle of the staircase. She checked to make sure the camera could see her.