Page 39 of Angels Are Falling

Twelve

STEFAN

The line to get into Raven’s Nest stretched to the end of the block. Some famous DJ was playing at the club tonight, and everyone in Darster wanted to see him. The air was crisp and cool, perfect fall weather, but the guys refused to wait in line. Matt and Will argued with the hostess, who said the only way to cut the line was to buy a table in the VIP section. Generally, a table at Raven’s Nest costs three thousand dollars. However, a last-minute table tonight was six thousand dollars, plus tax and gratuity, bringing it to a cool eight thousand dollars.

Suddenly, I realized Kai wasn’t the only one who could solve a problem with his endless resources.

My new job paid well, but I hadn’t spent any of my paycheck. Kai paid off our debts, my parents’ mortgage, and bought new cars for Amelie and me. When I went shopping, his chauffeur insisted on using the family credit card.

I was earning real money for the first time in my life and had nothing to spend it on. Glad for the opportunity, I pulled out my wallet.

The boys were impressed.

“Are you for real?” Matt asked when I handed my card to the hostess. I didn’t miss the hint of jealousy and awe in his voice. His family was well-off, but not so rich as to flush eight thousand dollars down the drain on a night out.

“You can afford table service?” Will piped in. “Just like that?”

I shrugged, trying to remain humble. No wonder Kai flaunted his wealth. Playing savior fed your ego. Generous friends got celebrity treatment for a reason.

As the hostess led us inside, I noticed the sophisticated crowd behind the red rope, in contrast to the intoxicated slobs in the common area. I didn’t have the energy for spilled drinks and sloppy dancers tonight. Again, money solved even simple problems, such as a night out.

Money couldn’t remedy my nosy friends’ curiosity, though. Their inquisition wasn’t over even after the hostess seated us and brought over two bottles of Grey Goose.

“Seriously, dude, do you sell drugs on the side?” Matt asked.

Will chuckled. “Please, recruit us. I regret majoring in journalism after seeing your house. I’m ready for my Breaking Bad journey.”

“Do you have a rich aunt who passed away and left you an inheritance?” Matt pushed. “I can only assume she was royalty by the size of your house.”

The guys knew my folks had passed away. Matt also knew I was from a middle-class family and had been curious about my new sizeable fortune. But my luxurious life had nothing to do with my family’s contributions.

I shook my head. “Sorry to disappoint. My family’s totally ordinary.”

“Then how did you get so rich? I mean, we work for the same magazine, and they don’t pay enough to buy a house like yours. Or to pick up the tab for bottle service.”

I frowned. Kai recommended me to the editor, who hired me on the spot. Everyone wanted to impress the Prince of Darster, so I didn’t question the hefty salary. What I hadn’t expected was the pay gap they insinuated.

I turned to Marcus, who had been quiet so far. “We’re both photographers at the same magazine. Can I ask⁠—”

“I make ten times less than you,” he answered the unasked question.

Inquiring about someone’s salary was uncomfortable, and I was grateful to him for sparing me. But… “How do you know how much I make?”

“I saw your file at the HR desk.” When I grimaced, he leveled me with an even look. “I didn’t mean to spy, but the file was open with your salary right in my face. I thought it was a mistake. Then I did some digging and found out who your wife’s second husband was.”

Shit. What must he think of me? Amelie’s wealthy husband secured me the highest-paying position. This was nepotism at its best. I would hate someone who made ten times more for doing the same job.

I opened my mouth, but he held up a hand. “Don’t feel guilty about it. Honestly, I would have paid myself more if I were the magazine’s president.”

President?

The other two had stopped pouring drinks to pay attention to our conversation. But they could no longer stay silent when Marcus dropped the bomb.

“What do you mean by president?” Will asked.

“What’s with all the secrecy?” Matt followed up impatiently. “And who’s your wife’s second husband?”

Marcus glanced at me, letting me break the news.