“Catch a cab home. Tomorrow we will head to the pawn shop.”
“Wait—“I began, but she had already turned and walked away. Dang it! Should I take my bag up there with me to put the jewelry in it? Oh! God! This was horrible! I wasn’t going to be able to pull this off. They were going to find me and then take me out back and put a bullet in my head. I began to sweat. I wanted to fan myself but didn’t want to draw any attention. Instead, I continued to move around the dimmed foyer picking up empty plates and glasses.
I carried them into the kitchen to the break down area and scraped the scraps into the trash before stacking the dirty plates into the blue crate. I could hear the chef behind me spouting out orders. It was true the kitchen was as busy as a bee hive. Servers were coming and going. The chef instructed them as well as the line cooks. Thankfully he had put me on garbage duty and I didn’t have to take drink or dinner orders.
When my tray was clear I went back into the foyer. This house was ridiculously huge. The foyer was big enough for three bars to be set up. A band played toward the front of the room, their jazzy sound could be heard at a nice comfortable level so that conversation could be had without folks having to scream at each other.
Off to the left of the foyer was a grand white marble stairway that led up to the second floor.
Dear God!
I almost dropped my tray because coming down said stairway was The Beast himself. And just like last night, he looked so powerfully fierce. Tonight, he wore a pair of black jeans that laid against his bow legs perfectly as if they had been tailored especially for him, and a black tank. His big tan muscled arms looked as if they could carry the weight of the world. Over his right shoulder the tattoo of a claw or something peeped out of his shirt.
His long hair had been immaculately braided to the back. He didn’t wear a chain, but his gold watch caught the light just right to let all know who saw it that it was very expensive. For a moment, his fierce gaze swept over me. Quickly, I turned away and picked up a few cups that had been left on one of the high- boy tables.
Everybody in the room strained their necks to get a glimpse of him. A very handsome man that was vaguely familiar dressed in a white pinstripe three-piece suit came down the stairs behind him. He looked as if he had a lot on his mind.
Another big man that was dressed similar to Gabe, with jeans but instead of a tank he wore a red t-shirt, crossed the floor to meet him and the man in the white. He was rough like The Beast. Their frowns matched. It was as if everybody was getting on their nerves. Together the three men crossed the room and took a seat in an area that had obviously been designated for them. Both men sat to the side of Gabriel.
They were like light and dark.
The man in white had a kind smiling face, and the man to the other side of The Beast didn’t smile at all. It looked as if he never did. As the guy in the pinstriped suit talked to him, Gabe’s eyes scanned the room, missing nothing. Quickly I made my way back to the kitchen.
Come on Shanice, if we’re going to do this now is the time.
I emptied my tray again and took a deep breath before I walked back out. Instantly, my eyes searched for Shanice who was standing by the north bar talking to a very wealthy looking man. Without looking away from him, she reached up and gently scratched her ear as she laughed at something he said.
It was time!
I could not stop and think because if I did I would second guess myself. I picked up an empty plate with a balled up napkin in it and walked back into the kitchen to the break-down area. This time I sat my tray down when I was finished clearing the plates. Then with purpose as Shanice called it, I walked to the area where we were instructed to leave our belongings.
The servers that smoked were back and forth in this area, getting cigarettes to take with them on their little ten-minute breaks that the chef allowed. This was perfect because the back stairs is in the same direction were the employees were instructed to go take their breaks.
My heart pounded so loud in my ears I could no longer hear the music. I scooped up my bag and headed toward the break area, at the last minute I turned left and went up the stairs. I stopped when I got to the second floor and just waited. I don’t know what I waited on.
Maybe I was waiting on the chef to come up and ask me where I was going or maybe an undercover security guard telling me I’ve gone the wrong way—the kitchen is that way. I don’t know, but my legs just wouldn’t move.
When after a moment nothing happened. I let out a huge breath of relief.
The hard part was done, the rest was breezy.
At least I prayed, as I forced my legs to move quickly making my way up to the third floor. These servant stairs were perfect because they were empty and way off to the back of the house. I was so far back that the party sounded as if it was taking place down the street. When I got to the third level, I peeked my head around the corner and exhaled.
This floor was completely empty. The hall was very long but there weren’t many doors. I turned
