I might have been alone in this moment, but it wouldn’t be long until someone noticed I was missing.
Milo would wonder why I hadn’t texted that I was out like I promised. Remo’s guy, who was supposed to be trailing me, would get curious why he hadn’t spotted me yet.
Someone would get worried.
Someone would investigate.
Someone would come for me.
At least, that was what I was putting my faith to rest in.
I just had to stall as best I could.
I wasn’t going to fawn.
Those days were behind me.
But, damn it, I refused to let him see how terrified I was. I wouldn’t give him that pleasure.
“That was all unnecessarily dramatic,” I said, forcing my tone to be calm, cool, maybe a little condescending.
Frank’s head jerked back a little, like he hadn’t been expecting that reaction.
“You could have simply told me to meet you.” And I would have run like hell in the opposite direction.
“This isn’t ameeting,” Frank spat.
“No?” I asked, my tone bored. I sounded seconds away from yawning. “What is it then? Your goon broke my nail,” I said as I inspected the nail that broke off when I’d been scratching the guy who grabbed me.
“That’s going to be the least of your problems,” Frank said.
“So you finally admit it, then?” I asked, sighing out a breath.
“Admit what?”
His face was getting ruddy. He was never as in control with me as he wanted and he hated that.
But that was the upper hand I had here.
He wanted to get a reaction out of me.
The longer he didn’t, the better off I would be.
“That you’re a problem,” I said, my smile saccharine sweet to mask the bitterness beneath.
“I… what?” He was sweating. His hairline and upper lip were damp.
“I mean, come on, Frank,” I said, shaking my head. “This casino could be worth upward of fifty million. But look at it, barely scraping by. Everyone getting shitty pay. Terrible working conditions because you haven’t updated anything. It’s a problem.Youare a problem.”
“I…”
“Want me to shut her up?” the man standing near the other woman asked.
I was glad for an excuse to glance in his direction so I could check on her again.
She shot me a pinched look, like she didn’t know what I was doing.
I’m trying to bide us time, I tried to convey to her.We’re not as alone as we look right now.
