staring back at me. I can barely recognize myself.
I stare at the image for so long it starts to blur, but I just can’t connect the street rat I still feel like on the inside to the sophisticated woman staring back.
After returning to the penthouse to change into my new clothes, I splurge on a cab to the next place that’s on today’s agenda—Echo’s.
Echo’s is the blues bar that caught my attention last night. Even now, standing in front of it with the lights off, I can feel myself relaxing. It makes no sense being drawn to a place I’ve never stepped foot inside of, but there is something about it that feels comfortable and inviting. I learned early on to trust my instincts and this place is luring me in like a beacon.
Even though the sign beside the doors states that they don’t open for another hour, I can see a few people milling about inside, so I knock loudly and wait.
“We’re closed,” a voice yells from inside, dismissing me.
I knock again, this time with more force because I’m obnoxious like that. I hear someone complaining before the sound of locks being opened.
When the door swings open, a tall man with a gray beard narrows his eyes at me and snaps, “What the hell, lady? Can’t you read?”
“I can read just fine thanks; I just can’t wait until opening. I want to talk to the owner, please.”
He crosses his arms over his chest, standing to his full height, trying to intimidate me, but I’m shorter than everyone and have had far scarier men try that tactic on me.
“I don’t have the time to deal with whatever shit you want to gab about.” He turns to leave so I play my ace card.
“Fine. I’ll be sure to relay that information back to Gemini.”
He freezes like I thought he might. I stand with my arms crossed against my chest, fighting back a grin. Just like last night, I pretend I’m Gemini’s assistant. I don’t know when I decided to keep up with the ruse, but after saying it to the girl at the coffee shop, who I suspected would have fainted if she found out who I really was, I realized that anonymity could work in my favor.
For a start, it removes the target from my back. People knowing that the new Gemini is a woman will have every gangster wannabe trying to either put me in my place or take it. Pretending I’m just the assistant leaves me with enough power to be obeyed but without the headache of watching over my shoulder every second of the day. At least until people start asking questions.
I know it won’t last forever. There are eleven other division heads out there who know exactly who I am, but for now, until I have myself established, it will work.
“Gemini is dead,” he remarks warily, turning to face me once more, his aging face looking worn and tired now.
“The old one is, yes, but a new one was appointed yesterday. You must have known it would happen,” I say softly.
He nods, his shoulders dropping. “So, who are you, and what do you want me to do? I don’t have much money for protection fees, but I can give you a cut of the profits until this place sells, then you’ll have to take this up with the new owner.”
I don’t like the defeated look about this guy, but hopefully, I can change that. His words let me know that just like Reid, the previous Gemini was into the protection business. I guess it’s an easy side business without the added stress of worrying about overheads.
“I’m not here about that. May I come in and talk to you somewhere more private?”
He stares at me for a moment before sighing and pulling the door wider, indicating for me to come in.
As he locks the door behind us, I look around, taking in the cozy booths with small circular tables scattered around the room, all facing a small stage on the far left. The stage is empty right now, but with its tall retro-looking microphone and the elegant black piano, I can easily picture someone standing there belting out words about lost loves and broken hearts as an audience listens raptly.
“This way.” The man grabs my attention again, leading me across the room to the bar on the right.
Lifting the portion of the bar that opens, he waits for me to walk through before pushing open the door