Filthy Boss

“Hopefully, it'll only be one day. And I wouldn't tell your professors unless you want to say that you're sick. You don't want them or the college sniffing around, too.”

She was right about that.

“So, what do we do now? What's the game plan?”

“I have a prior commitment that I can't get out of today, but we’ll meet tomorrow night before you give your statement, and we’ll go over what you're going to say. Hopefully, it won't be that big of a deal.”

She and I both knew that she was lying. “What about the media? How do I avoid all the questions about why I was with the judge that night?”

“I can't really answer that. But you know the rules. Try to find a way around it, or you'll be in a lot worse trouble than you are right now.”

The rules.

Boston Buyer’s Club Rule #1

Never talk about the club.

“Understood.”

“Perfect. Dress in something professional, but show a little leg on Wednesday. I’ll meet you outside the courthouse. Tomorrow, show up at the club at six o’clock. The Madame and I will go over your statement with you then.”

And then she hung up. The color drained from my face. There was no real plan. I was fucked.

Alexis looked at me, eager for information. “So what did she say? What's your plan of attack?”

I shrugged because I still wasn't really sure. “I don't really know that she has one. Alexis, I think I'm totally screwed.”

“Anything I can do to help?”

“Yeah, go into my closet and find something professional for me to wear to court on Wednesday. And Monique said I should show a little leg.”

She laughed. “That girl, she's always trying to get it in. No matter where she is.”

I smiled for what felt like the first time in days. “Yeah, she's definitely got that badass, superhot, confident woman thing down.”

Alexis looked back at me from across the room as she walked into my closet. “So do you, Calla. You can beat this, I’m sure of it.”

I was just glad that one of us was.

Chapter Seventeen

Monique called me the next afternoon. “Make sure you’re on time tonight.”

“Am I going to keep working?”

“There's a chance. Also there’s a private party tonight at the club, so we won’t be alone. Calla you're going to have legal fees to help cover. The club will cover most of it, but you're going to have to work to repay some of your debt.”

“Yeah, I kind of figured that was coming. Monique, I have to tell you something.”

“Tell me tonight. I have other clients to see.”

She hung up, and I sat on the edge of my bed looking at the phone. I had been thinking since I talked to her the day before that I had to tell her about Hudson, and how I knew that he spoke with the detective. I was being set up. And, also, whatever favor he owed the detective, I had to find out what his big secret was. Why didn’t he ever talk about his business? What did he really do for a living?

I went over to my laptop and opened it up slowly, sitting down at my desk. My fingers rested on the keys, but I didn't know what to say. I'd considered e-mailing him a thousand times since he had messaged me in class, but I didn't have anything to say. There is only one thing to find out. What is the truth behind Hudson James?

I opened up my e-mail, and found his last response. I typed back. I'm going to be at the club tonight. I need to see you. There are things I need to know.

I pressed send and waited for a response. I closed my eyes, and put my hand over my forehead, leaning back in my desk chair. I waited for the ping to signify a new e-mail, but I didn't hear anything. I waited for what felt like hours but I got nothing. Hudson had already moved on. I closed my laptop, and left the apartment to walk around campus to clear my head. I didn't really know where I was going until I had walked the whole campus, and was back at my apartment, staring at my car. I found my keys in my hoodie pocket, and I drove over to the club. It was time to face the music. Even though it was an hour before Monique requested my appearance, I had to get it over with. I had to see the Madame.