“Oh, okay. I just wanted to make sure that we’re, you know, good,” I said, carefully taking a step away from the desk, wanting to inch closer to the door for an easy escape as soon as the conversation found the opening.
“We’re always good,” he said, laying on his slimy charm thick. “But you have to remember how dangerous it is to lead men on.”
I had a feeling this might not fully be about Eric.
“I swear I don’t even remember meeting Eric,” I insisted, carefully moving past him, nearly toppling another stack in the process.
“Maybe not. But your… charms can make a man believe you are interested. And some men… they will only let that teasing go for so long before they demand you make good on it.”
Cold pooled in my gut.
Because that felt a little too much like a threat, not words of advice.
“I… I thought you wanted me to be friendly toward the customers,” I said, wanting the conversation back in safe territory.
Frank sighed.
“Yes. Just not… too friendly.”
“Okay,” I agreed, frost lacing my veins as I put on a painfully fake smile. “I’ll keep that in mind. Well, I better get going. Thanks for talking to Eric,” I said, then turned and strode away before he could say anything else.
I kept my strides long and purposeful, suddenly very thankful for my grandmother’s long legs, until I got around the corner.
Only then did I break into a run.
I didn’t waste time getting changed like I typically liked to do when walking home at night from the casino. I just shoved mymakeup back in the bag, shoved my sweats in my purse, and got the hell out of there.
I even took the way out through the actual casino so I didn’t run into Frank alone again.
As soon as the casino was behind me, I felt some of the tension shake out of my shoulders, but my pace was still just shy of panicked. And I couldn’t seem to stop myself from glancing over my shoulder to make sure Frank or one of his henchmen wasn’t coming after me.
I had to calm down.
Slow down.
Not look like an easy target.
I yanked my slipping purse strap back up on my shoulder.
Then a scream caught in my throat.
Because a hand grabbed my other wrist and pulled me down an alley between buildings.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Milo
Something was wrong.
Roe burst out of that casino like her ass was on fire, her eyes bulging, her skin pale. She kept almost breaking into a run before checking herself, making her do a few weird little skips before she seemed to get a little more control as she got further from the casino.
But her gaze kept sliding over her shoulder, looking for someone.
I cut between buildings and broke into a run up the street behind the Boardwalk so no one would see me trying to pursue her.
Then, when I was sure I was ahead of her, I moved into a small alley and waited.
I grabbed her wrist and pulled her into the darkness with me, glad she gasped instead of screamed, giving me a second.
