Kept - Page 29

“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.

When I got there, the bouncer let me in right away, so I knew she didn't have any other appointments. I could tell she was surprised to see me without Monique from the look on her face.

“Calla, you’re early. And not in your best attire.”

I was in jeans, typical college clothes but not really an outfit suitable for the club.

“Go up to the dressing room and find an appropriate outfit. Monique should be here shortly. We’ll discuss your situation then.”

“Yes, ma'am.” I trudged up the staircase into the dressing room, and I found a red corset and ruffled booties set sitting on my dressing table. I changed and threw my hair up into a messy bun. My face looked like hell, so I grabbed some makeup from another girl’s kit, and cleaned myself up. Her complexion was little bit darker than mine, so I looked like I got a nice tan, or maybe I really did have a little bit of color from France… France, where everything was simple. How I wished I could go back there and live in that carefree world. I found a set of matching red heels, and tightened them around my ankles before I walked back down the stairs. I could hear the music, and I noticed a few men smoking cigars at a table. They were the only ones in the club so far. I knew we would be busier later, but I still smiled, and gave them a flirtatious wave knowing there was a good chance I was going to have to go home with someone tonight.

This time as I saw the bouncer, he looked me over once before allowing me to go in. I didn't really look like the girl that had shown up only half an hour ago. Monique was sitting in a chair at the opposite end of the room right next to the Madame's desk. She looked worried, and I didn't like it.

“Calla, thank you for coming. We need to discuss your testimony for tomorrow.”

I sighed. “There something else that we need to discuss first.”

“What is that, dear?” The Madame asked, sitting down in an overstuffed chair next to Monique.

Even though it wasn't warm in the room, I was sweating, and I stood over them, feeling smaller than they were even though I was the only person standing in the room. “Hudson James was the one who told the detective that he thought I might've killed the judge.”

The Madame put her hand on her chest. “But, why would he do that, Calla? I mean, unless you really did kill him.” She looked at me seriously. Perhaps she had a girl who had done it before. Somehow, I wasn’t surprised.

“No! No, I had nothing to do with it. I promise. I didn't even know anything about him.”

Monique squinted her eyes. “Then why would he say that? I mean Mr. James has been coming here for years, and not only are you the first girl that he took home, but he took you halfway across the world. Why would he throw you under the bus?”

“I don't know. I thought we were having a great time. I have no idea why he did what he did except that he said that he owed the detective a favor. And I don't know what any of that means, but I think it has something to do with his business.”

The Madame looked at Monique, and gave her all-knowing eyes. Suddenly, I felt like I was the only one in the room who didn't really know what Hudson James did for a living. “I need to know what's really going on. The truth is the only thing that’s going to get me out of this mess.”

The Madame stood up and put her hands on my shoulders. “You can't tell the truth. You know the rules.”

I chewed on my lower lip. “I would never talk about this place. I know the rules.”

The Madame nodded, “Then let’s get to work.”

Monique grabbed her briefcase that was sitting on the floor next to her. “I've made some notes. Let's go over them.”

We sat there for forty-five minutes, reading over her notes, and her quizzing me on exactly what happened that night. I explained it to her just as I had the detective. My testimony was smooth. Monique didn't think that they'd have any reason to continue questioning me after the investigation was over. She still assumed that the wife had done it, and that it would come out during the trial. “Just be careful about how you word things. And don't let them fluster you. Being calm is key.”

I nodded. “Got it.”

“Well, I think it's about time you two go to work. Private parties pay well ladies.” The Madame looked pointedly at me. “Don't take any dates tonight, though. You can be one of the hostesses at the bar. You need the rest for tomorrow.”

“Yes ma'am, thank you.”

Tags: Nicole Elliot Billionaire Romance
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