Read Online Sapphire by Katie Price - Free Book Online Page B

buzzer and Alfie let her in. She wondered if he had been watching her on the CCTV screens in his office. It would be just like him, getting a little power kick out of it. She made her way through the club, where a team of cleaners were hard at work, clearing up after the night before. The dance floor dominated the club, surrounded by three bars and then there were a number of rooms that led off from the main area. The last time Sapphire had been in PURE it was mainly decorated in tired and trashy purple, and looked frankly in need of a restyle; Alfie had gone for stylish black and white. It looked good, not that she was in any rush to admit it to him.
    She went up the flight of stairs behind one of the bars. Alfie was sitting in his office, which he had also refurbished, behind a mahogany desk, with his feet propped up on it, while he sprawled back in his chair and chatted on the phone. His whole attitude said ‘Look at me! I’m the boss.’
    Sapphire looked round the room. There was a large black leather sofa – no doubt for all those times when Brooke was at home and he couldn’t take his latest conquest back; Sapphire was convinced that Alfie would still be up to his old tricks. He gestured for Sapphire to sit down. She made sure she chose the leopard-print armchair rather than the sofa – she didn’t like to imagine what Alfie got up to on it. He seemed in no hurry to finish his call. Typical, trying to assert his authority in some macho, game-playing way. He laughed and joked away while his gaze lingered on Sapphire. But she had no intention of sitting there hanging on his every word. Looking sublimely indifferent to Alfie she pulled her iPhone out of her bag and began texting Sam. That seemed to work and he quickly wound up his call.
    ‘Sapphire, thanks for coming in. D’you fancy a drink?’
    ‘A vodka and tonic would be good.’ Sapphire carried on writing her text and only when she’d pressed send did she look over at him. Two could play power games.
    Alfie rang down to the bar and ordered the drinks. ‘Ryan said he’d be here in a minute. So did you get back okay after the reunion?’
    ‘Did you?’ she countered.
    He smiled. ‘You mean did I shag Georgia? As a rule I like my women to be conscious.’
    She grimaced. Was she really going to be able to do business with him?
    He caught the look and said, ‘Do you have that low an opinion of me, Sapphire? Of course I didn’t shag Georgia Cox. I got her back to her hotel room and tried to get some coffee down her. She would have been up for it though, she was all over me. I pity the poor bastard she’s marrying.’
    There was a pause. Was he expecting her to congratulate him on his self-restraint? Tosser. She simply arched one of her eyebrows. Alfie, realising she wasn’t going to say anything, carried on, ‘So, on to business.’
    ‘That’s why I’m here,’ Sapphire couldn’t resist saying sarcastically. Did he seriously think there could be any other reason?
    Alfie registered her tone with a wry smile. ‘I know you’re not my number-one fan, Sapphire, but I hope we can at least be friends.’
    Sapphire wanted to say that her friends didn’t usually betray her but decided that would only extend the line of conversation and really she just wanted to hear Alfie’s business proposition and get the hell out of there. She nodded slightly and Alfie took that as encouragement to carry on, ‘So, I’ve been working on some figures and here’s the deal we can offer you, if you agree to continue to use the club on a regular basis.’
    He reached across the desk and handed her a sheet ofpaper. Sapphire scanned the figures. She wouldn’t have to pay an entry fee for any of her parties, they’d get to see the strip show for twenty pounds per person, with two free drinks thrown in. It was a better deal than before.
    ‘Why such good terms?’ she demanded, instantly distrustful.
    ‘Because I want a guarantee that you’ll always use the club. It’s