The roar of the motorcycle and the rush of wind tore past their ears as they weaved across the street . After a quick turn , the two women slipped down a narrow alley and finally came to a stop at the end . The door to the bar stood wide open , looking unremarkable from the outside . Inside , just two or three people were quietly tidying up , getting ready for the night ahead . Alessia pulled off her helmet and ran a hand through her long hair , smoothing it absentmindedly . Stella , with her neat , close - cropped hair , gave it a quick tousle and seemed content to leave it be - until Alessia rolled her eyes and reached over to pat down a stray tuft sticking up at the back . A server spotted them and rushed over , taking their helmets . Stella tossed him her keys as well , then slipped an arm around Alessia's shoulders and led her inside . At five - six , Alessia wasn't short , but Stella still had nearly a head on her . " So ? It's just like your plans , " Stella said , barely through the door before her excitement bubbled over . " You're supposed to be the co - owner , but you never even showed up for the grand opening . " " You know I prefer to keep a low profile . Besides , didn't I send you some little gifts as an apology ? " Alessia cupped her face in her hands and winked . " Miss Laine is far too gracious to hold a grudge - right ? " " Oh , I wouldn't dare be mad at my favorite sponsor . " Stella glanced over at the display of glasses and bottles behind the bar , shaking her head with mock admiration . " Seriously , though . " " Just some baubles worth , what , almost eight million ? " Alessia replied with a smirk . That was exactly why Stella hadn't worried when Alessia left the Tate family . How many pampered heiresses could , before even turning twenty - one , casually spend eight million on " little trinkets " -and , while she was at it , invest another million into her friend's pipe - dream bar , all without any help from home ? Alessia didn't answer further . She simply made a slow circuit of the bar , Stella trailing behind her in silence . This wasn't your typical bar , all neon and shadowy corners . Instead , the whole place was bathed in a warm , golden glow - not sultry , but quietly luxurious . Anyone with an eye for it would notice : from the tiniest glass to the bricks in the wall , everything here was chosen with care . Some things , Stella knew , couldn't be bought with money alone . 1/2 Once she'd looked her fill , Alessia dropped into a cozy corner seat . Stella snapped her fingers , and a server appeared with a cocktail and a soda . Stella flicked her hair back , picking up her cocktail with one hand and draping her other arm along the sofa , looking effortlessly cool . " So , my illustrious patron - are you pleased with what you see ? " Alessia arched an eyebrow , took a sip of juice , and set it down . " Not bad . With Justin and his crew handling the build , I'm not worried . " " How's Queenie doing ? " " She'll be back by the end of the year , most likely ." " Good . She keeps telling me everything's fine , but if something's really wrong , nobody's better at hiding it than her . Last time , she nearly died and I only found out because I was extra nosy . Otherwise , she'd still be keeping it from me . " Knowing this topic always riled Stella up , Alessia steered the conversation elsewhere . " But you called me over today - was there something important ? " " Nothing major , " Stella said , shrugging . " I poached a new house singer from another place . Pretty easy on the eyes . How about we grab dinner later , then come back for a couple of songs ? " Alessia didn't look too interested , but she nodded anyway . " By the way , I heard you took your brother to see a doctor ? " " Justin Keane told you ? " Alessia cocked an eyebrow , catching the flicker of guilt on Stella's face . " He stopped by for a couple drinks yesterday . " " Yesterday ? Or does he come here every night ? " Alessia teased , her tone light and playful . Stella made a show of sipping her drink , refusing to take the bait . " Don't change the subject . What's your angle ? " " I've got to stick around for at least another year , so I figured I'd return the favor . It'd be a shame if he died at twenty - five . He's not a bad guy - has some talent , too - so I just went with the flow and did him a good turn . The old man's always wanted to take on an apprentice , and now he's got one . At least he'll quit nagging me about it for a while . " 2/2