I decide against both. “No, nothing, it was mentioned and I’m not sure by whom, that employees at the A Team have pasts similar to mine.” I exhale. “I have a challenging time reconciling belonging to this world when I’m surrounded by so much… success. You’re the closest role model I’ve met yet.”
She stands, fingers gliding through her silky mane, as she approaches the conference table. “Your past means nothing. But I’m sure he’s told you that and it’s simply hard to grasp because this place is new.”
I nod. “Look at the power I’m surrounded by, and in such a brief period of time. I try to be honest with him, but he’s still a man, and one that has never gone through what I have.”
She shakes her head. “Not so fast. Riley Astor wasn’t always the man before you now. He worked his way up through the ranks. He used to be a fighter, and I don’t mean professional. I’m talking underground fighting that happens for money or murder or both.” She says it so casually, but my heart is pounding, and I feel like I may pass out. “I’m from way out in the sticks. In the middle of nowhere country. The only aspiration I had was taking over my family’s business. Growing and selling weed to dealers. Rarely do I look back on that time because I’ve created this for myself when they pulled me from my past.” She holds up a finger and presses a button on the phone sitting atop the conference table. Amy turns back to me. She speaks about when she was first swept away and ensconced in this empire and I listen, rapt, unable to move.
The spell breaks when four women enter the office. They’re just as flawless as Amy Hansley. “Drew, this is Hensley, Carmine, Pierelle, and Avalyn. Ladies, this is Riley Astor’s girlfriend.” Jesse isn’t mentioned and I take that as a cue to leave him out, or that she doesn’t know the extent of my relationship with both men. They introduce themselves one by one, and unlike Amanda, they seem genuine and interested in getting to know me.
“I knew he was seeing someone because I was doing the personal shopping for her, but I can’t believe you’re here in the flesh, and you’ll be taking an office. You really are the full package,” Pirelle says, smile meeting her eyes. Her glossy black hair seems to float around her shoulders. “Mr. Astor is never so open with his personal life. What will you do on the A Team?” She pauses. “That outfit looks absolutely top-notch on you, by the way.” Another real smile.
I narrow my eyes and then gaze at my skirt. “Thank you for the clothes. I never thought I’d meet the person behind them. I’m not sure yet, this is all very new.” All their faces take on looks of sympathy. Even empathy.
Amy butts in. “We’re sorting through that now. She owns the motel next to the Astor compound as of two minutes ago so that reno is going to take up a lot of time. We’re thinking this might be a good match for now. More will obviously follow when she’s gotten her feet wet.” I love the way she talks about me. The positivity radiating from every word. “Maybe real estate law eventually.” Amy winks at me. I grin. Avalyn chimes in with a story about how Amy helped her in the past and I’m sold on the mentorship in every way, shape, and form.
“Well, you have the greatest mentor to exist in Amy,” Carmine says. She has honey colored hair and small blue eyes. “She’s the only reason I passed the bar on the first try.”
I’m intimidated, officially. They’re beautiful and intelligent. “Does everyone here have law degrees? I understand why it’s needed in this line of business but I don’t know if I’m cut out for that.” I think about the contract Amy was scrutinizing in Marty’s office and recoil at the thought of having to read that quickly.
“No, not all of us,” Carmine replies. “We all have different talents.” Her grin is wide, and it puts me at ease and scares me at the same time. “You’ll fit right in, no matter what you choose to do, with our all-women team.”
“Wait,” I cut in. “All women employees here? How is that possible?”
“The Astor men know who runs the world,” Hensley says, flashing a half grin. “And a bunch of high-powered women can be threatening when we need to be, but we’re also a smoke screen at the same time.”
Amy says, “Like all good businessmen, they know when and who to delegate work to.” She shrugs. “We’ve been off the feds’ radar since the A team was formed.”
“Mostly because Amy is a rock star,” Hensley adds.
She blushes, and it’s odd to see. “I do what I must do. That’s all.”
“She’s dating a top dog,” Avalyn says, spinning in the conference chair next to me.
“Dating is too strong a word,” Amy replies, blushing furiously.
Pirelle butts in, looking me square in the face. “It would be criminal if we didn’t use all the tools God granted us to conduct business. There’s nothing wrong with that. Alway know that at the end of the day, if it worked, it works. Okay?”
I nod, finally understanding that the A Team is an extension of the Astor’s reign. A hard charging, no holds barred extension. “I’ll show you your office,” Amy says, fast to halt the direction of this conversation. The women store their phone numbers in my phone at my request, and Amy takes me down the hall to the office at the very end and pushes the door open.
“You can do your lessons here, it’s quiet and no one will distract you unless you want distraction. Let Amanda know if you need anything like food or coffee, clothes, appointments or reservations, a hit, she can coordinate anything you ever need.” Amy smiles widely before walking to the door. She glances over her shoulder longingly. “This will be hard to get used to, but the sooner you accept this as fate, the sooner you’ll have it all.” Amy leaves, her words haunting the atmosphere surrounding me. The office is sleek, cool, and beautiful. The opposite of everything from my former life. Get used to it. Don’t notice it. Expect these standards. I repeat that to myself a few times, and then I open my laptop, put on my headphones, and get to work.
I have a lot of catching up to do. The woman told me I fit in, but I feel like an impostor. Not worthy of any of this. Instead of bringing me down like it normally would, I let it fuel my fire for this life because I know I’m worthy of it. I silence my phone, pour my water, and begin my reading lessons. As promised, a dyslexia teacher lives in my laptop with a click of the mouse. She walks me through some words, and paces to my liking. Shockingly, I’m understanding and learning to look at letters in a different way. It’s not easy by any stretch of the imagination, but the progress is steep.
My eyes are bleary and my stomach rumbles when I realize it’s dark outside. The teacher didn’t pause once to eat, drink, or even use the restroom, and I realize it’s been nine straight hours of lessons. I concede that I’m done for the day, and she logs off with a professional smile and accolades for a job well done. I’ve had one water today. I feel faint. Amy was right, no one bothered me. Today was a magic portal where time flew by. When I check my phone, I know I’m in trouble. Jesse has called me fifteen times.
I dial him and wince when he picks up. He’s breathing heavy, measured inhales and exhales. “Where are you?” Jesse grinds out.
“My office inside the A Team building. With Amy Hansley. I was in lessons all day. All day.”
“You didn’t think to check in? Not even once?”
I exhale. “I assumed I was safe here, Jesse. Why would I have to check in? I turned my phone on silent and didn’t look at it.” I’ve always only been in the habit of looking at my phone when I need it. Probably because text messages are intimidating, and I associate them with work. When you can’t read, a phone and social media don’t hold the same allure as it does for others.
“Oh, I don’t know because you’re a walking target now. I can’t believe Riley showed your face to the entire office.” He repeats the last three words again, this time with more anger.
I frown, confused. “I only met a few women. It wasn’t the whole office.”
“Yes, it was the whole office.”