Our livelihoods and our lives were dependent on our anonymity.
“I have a few weeks coming to me for vacation.”
After a few seconds, everyone nodded in approval.
Raven Intel.
Soon justice would be served.
CHAPTER 4
Kendrick
Maverick stood staring at me, shaking his head in disbelief the moment he opened the door.
“What the hell is wrong?”
“Nothing is wrong. You clean up pretty good. Maybe I’m shocked.”
With his backhanded compliment, I rubbed my face. Gone were the beard and mustache. And the shaggy hair. I’d barely looked at myself in the mirror when the girl had finished with the more fashionable haircut. Instead of my signature jeans when off the clock, I’d changed into one of the suits Maverick had sent to my condo.
The makeover was all about creating a new persona. A man I doubted I’d recognize, but that was the point. Now I was a ruthless man of means with a merciless reputation.
Rich. Powerful. Influential.
And very, very hungry.
“However, you’re out of your mind,” Maverick said even as he followed me into what would be my new home for days, weeks. “You do know that. This is way out of your league.”
“I’ve always loved to live dangerously.” Dropping my bag and guitar case, I glanced at the open space. “Are you sure you want to give up your new house for an undisclosed timeframe?”
“I own two houses in Miami, one in St. Lucia, and a chalet in the South of France. I think I can find someplace to park my ass and write.”
“Showoff. Nice place you have here.” Maverick lived like the rich and famous, enjoying all the perks of being a megastar.
“It suits me. Now you’ll need to pretend it’s all yours. I assure you the leader of the Privileged will be checking.”
In the days since the decision had been made, my identity had been carefully wiped, replaced with a new persona. Kendrick Stark had ceased to exist. Drake Cavanaugh had taken his place, a man of mystery and money.
I’d done some investigation of my own, finding nothing of use about the secret club. Both the TikTok link and the account had been removed. The Privileged were very thorough.
What I did find through Jackie’s help was a little more information about Reese, including a flight number and information on a rental car that had been subsequently found by the police. There’d been no sign of violence. She’d also rented a hotel room, which Jackie had gone through, finding nothing to indicate Reese’s plans. It felt as if I was starting from ground zero.
Which made the situation that much more urgent. Days had passed. Too many days in my opinion, yet planning a covert mission of this nature took some time.
“You just had to bring your damn guitar. Didn’t you?”
Snorting, I stood staring at the ocean. While I had a view from my place atop a wild South Beach bar, there was too much traffic, too much noise for me to sit out on my small balcony and enjoy the view. This was peaceful, a reminder of why I’d made the crazy decision to move to Miami in the first place. “Don’t rich guys play music?”
He shook his head. “I guess so. Whatever floats your boat.”
The music was the only thing that I’d found could soothe me after difficult cases. And unwanted memories.
“I still don’t know why we couldn’t use my place.”
Maverick laughed. “Because you still live like you’re in college, for fuck’s sake. I’ve been to your place. It’s early Goodwill meets bohemian.”
“It’s not that bad.”
