Elena sighed and finally sat back down. “Fine, but you better get ready to suck our landlord’s dick then. Maybe you can exchange giving head for a place to stay.”
“Our landlord is a woman,” I reminded her as I cracked an egg into the well I’d made in the flour. “I don’t think she has a dick I could offer to suck.”
“Women like getting head, too. You don’t have many options here, Addy. If I could afford to cover your half of the rent, I would. But I can’t.”
“I know. I love you for saying that, but I wouldn’t have let you anyway. It’s my responsibility, not yours. I’ll make a plan.” What plan? I had no idea.
I didn’t even have any family with that kind of money that I could ask for a loan. Kyle probably would have sold a kidney to keep a roof over my head if that was what it took, but he’d taken care of me for long enough. It wasn’t pride keeping me from going to him. It was the knowledge that he’d give me money he didn’t have. No matter what it took.
I was the one who’d wanted to comp that meal, knowing it could get me fired. This was on me, not Kyle. Besides, it wasn’t the first time I was up shit’s creek without a paddle in sight.
I’d work something out eventually.
Elena perked up suddenly, slamming her mug onto the counter with such force that some of her coffee spilled over the sides. “What if you don’t have to make a plan because I already have one?”
“Yeah, what plan is that?”
“You could make some good money just serving drinks at the club. With what you made before you got fired, savings, and a boost from the tips you’d get, you’d be able to pay rent and get through the next month. I could make it happen for you as soon as tomorrow.”
My teeth sank into my lower lip, my mind churning. Despite the expectant look on her face as she peered up at me from behind her coffee mug, I didn’t give her an answer immediately.
Serving drinks, I could do. Serving drinks to horny men at a strip club? I didn’t know what that would be like, but I could give it a try.
Drinks were drinks, I supposed. Money was money, and work was work. The least I could do was ask for a little more information. Then I could decide.
Chapter 5
Marco
“Welcome to Florence, gentlemen.” I stepped forward to clasp Edward’s hand first. “I trust you had a good flight.”
“Excellent,” Edward said, releasing my hand to motion toward the lobby of the hotel I was putting them up in. “Thank you for making arrangements for our accommodation. It is much appreciated.”
“Of course.” I inclined my head in acknowledgment before greeting the rest of his guys. “If there’s anything that you need during your stay, please don’t hesitate to let me know.”
“We will do that, thank you,” Edward said as he clapped a hand down on my shoulder. “So what have you got planned for this celebration?”
“I thought we could start with dinner first. There’s an award-winning restaurant on the river I think you will love. It’s got some of the best views in the city.”
The men agreed, following me to the waiting limo I’d rented for the evening. There was some cheering when they climbed in to find French champagne chilling beside some beers. We weren’t even on the road yet before the drinks were flowing and they passed flutes around.
Edward was in the seat next to mine, holding up his glass for me to clink against it. “I’m glad we have the opportunity to get to know one another better. The company means a lot to my family. I am sure that together, you and I will make it into a great success.”
“I agree.” I lifted my glass to his. “Cheers.”
“Cheers.” He drank deeply and smacked his lips as he swallowed. “Let’s agree not to talk business tonight. It is a celebration, no?”
“It is indeed.” I settled back in my seat and carried on a lighthearted conversation with him all the way to the restaurant.
It was situated on the top floor of one of the remodeled Renaissance-style buildings in the city, offering three-hundred-and-sixty degree views of Florence at night. The interior was lit by soft light, and judging from the reaction of my new colleagues, I’d picked the right place.
They seemed sufficiently impressed with the start of our evening together and were buzzing in anticipation of what would come next. I had booked a large table near the window for our party, and as soon as everyone was seated, a waiter appeared with menus.
The guys settled in happily, ordering drinks and shots while I took care of selecting a variety of appetizers. Once the drinks came, one of Edward’s men, a short, bald guy who went by Joe, raised his tiny glass of tequila into the air.
“To Marco Ricci. Thank you for arranging a night we hope we won’t remember and the opportunity to experience a city we will never forget.” His obsidian-black eyes slid to the guy sitting next to him. “Did I get that right?”
I chuckled, nodding when he looked back at me. “I believe so. You’re welcome, gentlemen. Thank you for coming all the way over here to celebrate with me.”
I tossed the tequila back and tapped the glass on the table when I was done. Our appetizers were delivered shortly after and we got down to the business of eating, drinking, and being merry. Contrary to what I’d expected, I soon found myself enjoying the evening.
It was going to cost me a fortune, but it was worth it. By the time they went back to Shanghai, they would know and trust me. I needed them to. There were some changes I would have to make to the shipping
