Brooke

 

Slowly and carefully, I lift the blanket off myself so I’m able to slide out of bed without being noticed. Once my feet hit the cold wooden floor, I peek back to make sure he’s still asleep. Breathing a sigh of relief, I stand up and quickly collect my clothes. His snoring is echoing around the dimly lit hotel room as I swiftly get dressed, stepping back into the tight gray dress I started the night in.

Once I’m dressed, I grab my heels and glance back once more. He’s still asleep so I sneak out the door, gently closing it behind me. The bright light of the hallway blinds me for a moment as I open my purse. My eyes adjust to the brightness as I pull out my compact and fix my makeup, wiping away the black that has run under my bright blue eyes. Once that’s good, I pull my long brown hair up into a ponytail and have one last look. Good enough.

Slipping my purple heels back on, I make my way to the elevator. Once inside I make a fast phone call to make sure my ride is here. I’m assured it is just as the doors slide open. Stepping out, the sound of my heels hitting the tiles echoes through the empty lobby. The red haired clerk at the desk lifts her smiling face toward me and I return the smile as I slip outside. The warm summer breeze wraps around me as I look for the car.

“Miss Alexander.” I turn my head to the left and see Joe the driver standing by the car.

“Hey Joe,” I say as I reach him. He nods and opens the door for me. “Thanks.”

He doesn’t say a word as he drives me through Manhattan. It’s nothing new though, he never does. Occasionally he’ll make small talk, but not tonight. He’s smarter than anyone gives him credit for and I believe he knows exactly what’s about to happen. The sad smile he’s been giving me all day gives him away. Not to anyone else, but then again, no one else pays attention to things like I do.

Skyscrapers light up the dark sky, giving such a peaceful feeling to the night. It’s late, but you’d never know with the amount of people rushing around the streets. Some are probably just leaving a bar, some are probably just starting their night. While we wait at a traffic light, a couple catches my attention. They are laughing as he pulls her into a protective hug. It’s sweet and I feel a pang of jealousy that it’s not me.

Before I know it, Joe stops the car. I look up at the sixty-five floors in front of me and grin. It’s time. Joe opens the door for me and I step out onto the sidewalk. “Thanks Joe,” I say, sticking my hand out to him.

He smiles and wraps his big hand around mine. “It’s been a pleasure, Miss Alexander.”

“Yes, it definitely has,” I reply and walk inside.

Getting off the elevator on the thirty-sixth floor, I run my hands down my dress. Opening the door to the office I’ve been in countless times over the last five years, I step inside. Just like the hotel lobby, the office is empty. No secretary sitting at the front desk, no phones ringing, no typing away at the computer. It’s completely silent, as I make my way to Pete’s office. Knocking once, I open it and walk in.

He immediately stands from his dark, wood desk as I walk in. Raising his graying, black eyebrows, he shoves his hands in the pants pockets of his perfectly tailored suit. “Well?”

“I got it,” I say as I sit down. For the next hour I tell him all the information I was able to get.

“Brooke, you’re amazing,” he says, opening the top drawer of his desk. “Here’s your next assignment.”

Taking a deep breath, I tilt my head. “Pete, this was the last time. I’m walking away.”

Dropping the file on his desk, he leans forward, folding his hands on the desk. “Why?”

“I’ve been sleeping around and getting you information for five years, Pete. I can’t do it anymore. You know I started this to get my dance studio going and I have, which means I don’t need to do this anymore,” I say, with a tight smile.

“Brooke, I need you.”

“No, you need someone.”

“There is no one that can do this job like you. No one else is capable of the way you can seduce them into bed. And they sure as hell can’t get them to open up during pillow talk like you can. Name your price,” he says, leaning back in his large leather chair.

Crossing my legs, I wipe my sweaty palms on my dress. “It’s not about the money. It’s about living my dream. I can’t do that if I’m screwing the secrets out of these business men. I’m sorry Pete, but I’m walking away.”

He blows out a breath and shakes his head. “One last time Brooke, after that I’ll let you go. This is a big one.”

I laugh as I stand up. “Sorry Pete.” I turn and begin to walk to the door.

“How’s business going?” he asks, his booming voice echoing around the room.

Turning back I smile. “It’s going great.”

He nods his head. “I’m not a betting man, but I’d be willing to bet that if the mom’s of those little princesses you teach dance to found out that you sleep around for money, they probably wouldn’t want anything to do with going to your dance studio.” Shaking his head, he makes a tsking sound. “That would be a damn shame.”

Feeling like the wind was just knocked out of me, I try to take a deep breath. “Are you blackmailing me?”

He grabs the file off his desk and walks over to me. “One more time Brooke.”

Fucking piece of shit.