The driver, not one of Nikki’s regulars, opened the door for us. Nikki exited gracefully, me less so. I pulled on the black fedora Nikki had provided, and offered her my arm. Unlike Hollywood or other prestigious places, the Fairhaven Club wanted privacy as well as ostentation, so we were in a drop-off area well-protected from prying eyes despite being the middle of Fairhaven’s crowded streets.
Nikki pulled an ID card from her purse, pressing it to a plate to trigger the doors. My own Fairhaven ID was useless in my wallet since I refused to cough up the ransom to keep it activated. Max Auron had provided a membership to me solely to conduct business, which thankfully had lapsed.
“Aren’t these people going to recognize me?” I whispered. “Know what I’m doing here?”
“They will recognize you, but they think I keep you for pleasure, not practicality.”
“So I really am your boy-toy?”
“Quite so, Dumpling. Hopefully, though, our ruse will not require proofs of our relationship.”
“Like kissing in public?”
“Like drinking your blood.”
My stomach churned as my blood ran cold.