Chapter 81

Rainer’s POV 

I instructed my driver to drop me off around the block, telling him I wanted to grab a coffee or some nonsense, and I waited until the sleek SUV disappeared before I started walking. Tasha's new office was in the center of downtown Oakland. 

Businesses were slowly returning to the vibrant little city, and I was impressed that she had picked a place with such a good vibe. There was a coffee shop in the lobby of her building, and I took a minute to review its menu of fresh-roasted coffee and artisanal chocolate. 

A woman smiled at me over her laptop, and I realized I was staring off into space. I was stalling. I edged down the block and entered the building's main lobby. Marble walls and gold leaf spoke to the building's historic status, and I was tempted to sit down and admire it. Instead, I opted to take the stairs to Tasha's top-floor offices. 

As I climbed, I wondered how on earth Tasha had convinced Stan to open up shop in