We’d never mentioned her being part-time. Looked like Leonie was good at a hustle. I couldn’t blame her. Who would want to work all hours living here in Carbon Beach? However, I’d already spoken with Ted.
“Well, that leaves me with a slight predicament. You see I was going to offer you the post of Manager of the Spa. Since Serena left, we decided to split the running of the hotel and the spa into two posts. But it would need someone covering some hours of every day. It’s a very prestigious position and brings you into contact with most of the Carbon Beach residents and visitors.” Ted’s voice trailed off a little while he allowed Leonie to process her thoughts. “Of course, if you prefer part-time hours, then your original position is open to you.”
Leonie sat up straighter. “No. I’ll take the Manager position. Thank you. I’m so honored and overwhelmed. There will be plenty of time around my shifts to see Carbon Beach, and look at the view I’ll see when I’m at work.” She pointed to the window. Most of the spa rooms overlooked the front to add to the client’s feelings of relaxation.
“Indeed.” Ted said, giving me a secret smile. Hopefully Leonie would settle in Carbon Beach until she was no longer dependent on a handout from myself and Serena.
“Right, well, thank you for your time, Ted. Once you’ve talked over her contract; reception know all about her booking. Could you ensure she’s settled in her suite?”
“Of course.” Ted stood and shook my hand.
“I’ll call you later, Leonie, to see how you are settling in and if you want anything.”
“Thanks, Smith.” She stood up and actually hugged me. I felt myself stiffen but slowly I managed to loosen my body and I patted the top of her head.
“Take care.” I said and left them to it. I walked past the bar and once again the alcohol spoke to me, Just one sip. There’s no one here to see you right now.
I put my head down and left the building quickly. I had somewhere else to be. Another demon to face.
After parking my car I knocked at the back entrance of 66 Club in Pasadena. The door opened slightly and I gave the password, “pussy”. The doorman opened the door wider and let me in. “Denny’s in the back.”
The smell of stale beer hit you the minute you walked into the rear of the club. Various staff members were around getting the venue ready for the evening. I knocked on the wooden door of Denny’s office. “Come in.” I pushed open the door.
Every time I stepped inside here it made me think of a dressing room of a diva pop star with a devil fetish. There were flowers and candles—all of them red. Bowls of red M&Ms. Wooden masks—every one of them with an evil grimace—hung on the walls. The office smelled of incense, and a half cracked mirror sat on his wooden desk, ready for snorting cocaine up his nose.
“Smith. Long time no see.” Denny failed to raise a smile. He barely managed an eyebrow.
“Yeah, I’ve been busy.”
“Oh I’ve seen the press, we all know how busy you’ve been. Why don’t you take a seat though and we can get caught up.” He picked up his phone. “Harlow. Get a bottle of Jack here now.”
I shook my head. “No. I don’t drink anymore.”
Denny’s brow creased, and he cracked his knuckles. “I’m sorry. Are you in a position to refuse me, Smith, because with what I have here, I don’t think you are?”
I sighed. No matter how much I tried, I could never escape my past.
Harlow came in. Her platinum blonde ringlets bouncing as she walked. Her breasts jiggled as they strained against her tight corset. She placed a drink in front of both of us. Denny pulled her toward him and she sat on his lap giggling.
He raised his glass. “Cheers, Smith.” He said.
I picked up my glass.
7
Serena
My twenty-four hours at the clinic were up. Flynn had stayed as he said he would, but it had been strange. Doctors and nurses visited the room regularly to check my vitals. Flynn had taken the couch, aware I’d tried to suck the doctor dry. I guessed he was probably as apprehensive as I was disoriented.
Dr. Ramone had been in and discharged me. I was free to go. So why was I sitting on my bed frozen in place?
“Is everything okay, Serena?”
I forced myself to stand up and walked over to the patio doors, looking out over the mountains. Here it was peaceful and I could gather my thoughts. There I would have the four of them around me fussing. Would they understand my need to get to know the new me? No matter what the doctors had said about retaining my previous identity, the fact was I was now a vampire. I survived on blood. So they weren’t really telling me the truth. I was not the same person who had come into the clinic.
Flynn picked up my luggage while I grabbed my coat and purse and we left, bidding farewell and thanking the staff. Outside was the familiar red Porsche.
Smith smiled as he looked at me, but I noticed it didn’t reach his eyes. I needed time to talk to my complex man. The thought struck me that it had not been a good idea to leave him to sort out Leonie’s arrival, and I wondered if that was what had left him looking so down.