"Natasha loved this place. It was called the Russia House back then. It was her home away from home. Now, it has become mine. It's ironic, really. I never wanted to come here with her, because when we did come, she was always swept up by her fans, most of them male." He paused, his gaze turning reflective. "Natasha was a willful woman. She couldn't be held back by a marriage license." Wallace shook his head. "I don't want to think about her. I don't want to go back in time. I can't do it."
Jax didn't know what to say. Not that it seemed to matter. The old man was caught up in the love affair of his past.
Wallace reached inside his coat and pulled out the envelope Maya had given him earlier. "Maya gave this to me, but I don't want it. I can't read what's inside. She said her contact information is in there. Can you take this to her? I don't want to mail it. And if I ask my son, he'll have too many questions."
"Sure, I can do that," he said, taking the envelope. "I'll make sure she gets it."
"It's important that no one else sees it. I don't know exactly what's in it, but it's important that it goes straight to her. You can take care of this, can't you?" Wallace pulled out his wallet and removed a hundred-dollar bill.
Jax shook his head. "I don't need a tip. I'll drop it off at her house tomorrow."
"Could you do it tonight? What time do you get off?"
"In about thirty minutes. But it will be after eleven before I can get there."
"I'm sure she has a mailbox you can put it in."
"All right. I'll take it by her house tonight." He pushed the bill back to Wallace. "I don't need this."
"Why should you do it for free?" Wallace asked curiously.
"It's not a big deal."
"It's your time. You should always value your time."
"Dad," Ryland said, coming up to the bar. "Are you ready to leave?"
"As soon as I finish my drink."
Ryland gave him an irritated look. "Fine. I'll be upstairs. Don't take too long."
Wallace gave Jax a smile as Ryland left. "He loves to boss me around. I guess the tables turn when children become adults. But sometimes I wish he could see me for who I am, who I was. Ryland has no idea of the life I led before he came along. Children never think of their parents as having lives before they were born, of being young, reckless, daring. We're always old to them. But I had a life. I was one of the biggest agents in Hollywood. Did you know that?"
"I didn't."
"I made stars out of nobodies. That's what they used to call me—the starmaker. I gave actors and actresses opportunities they'd only dreamt about. I changed Natasha's career. She was barely a supporting actress when she came to my agency. I made her into an international superstar. But when she divorced me, she also left my agency and went to Alan Hayes." Wallace sneered as he said the name. "She took everything I had built for her and gave it to that fool." He shook his head. "Was it out of anger or spite? Or just because she liked to needle me? I don't know." He stopped. "I'm talking too much."
"I'm a good listener."
"You are. I guess that's why you're a good bartender. What's your name?"
"Jax Kenin."
"You ever want to be something but a bartender?"
"Actually, I've been trying to make it as an actor."
Wallace's gaze sharpened. "I don't run my company anymore."
"I wasn't going to ask you for a favor."
"Are you sure? Isn't that why you didn't take my money?"
"Believe it or not, no. To be honest, I've given up on the idea of making it as an actor."
"Why? You're a good-looking guy. That's half the battle."
He shrugged. "Apparently, I just don't have the goods."
"So, you'll be a bartender? You should shoot higher."
"I'm not planning on serving drinks forever. I'd like to get into selling cars. In fact, one day, I'd like to be able to afford one of the fancy cars I see in the parking lot."
"Nothing like a sweet ride," Wallace said with a nod.
"What do you drive?"
"A Lamborghini."
"Seriously? What's that like?"
"Amazing. Cars have always been my weak spot. If you want to sell cars, you should talk to Eddie Bozic. He's a member here, and he runs Falcon Motors. It's where I bought my vehicle. He