I’m in the club sitting at one of the booths and looking through all the papers I have been sorting all day on the table in front of me, when Alexi reappears. He’s been gone for hours, most of the day, and I have been on tenterhooks waiting for his reappearance. Knowing he left in a rage and worried about the backlash I know is coming from making him furious.

I am doing my best to ignore Joanne … she’s fluffing around. Coming up and down to update me on the calls she’s making and how many of our clientele have renewed membership. She’s been at it all afternoon and...