It hits me like a ton of bricks.
Holy shit.
“You’re not seriously suggesting…”
“Why not? Our Little Bird’s got the looks, and from what I just saw, she’s got the skills we need. It wouldn’t be hard for her to catch his attention. And if she can cozy up to him…”
“She could get access to the penthouse and his mother’s files,” I finish, the weight of the plan sinking in.
“Exactly. And if there’s anything about Oscar in there… anything at all… we’ll have what we need to expose her. And Nicholas wouldn’t even know he’s handing it to us on a gold platter.”
I shake my head, still trying to wrap my mind around it. “It’s risky, Levi. Veronica is fucking dangerous.”
And we would put another life at risk if we pulled Glitter into this mess, not to mention the risks we’d take letting her in on this plan, in with us.
“Life’s risky, Koen. But this? This is our best shot.”
I groan. Levi has always been reckless, but this? This is next-level insane. And yet, as crazy as it sounds, it might actually work. If we can get her close enough to Nicholas, she might be able to dig up the evidence we need, evidence that could finally prove Oscar’s murder wasn’t simply nature taking its course.
“So, we’re going to follow her into a strip club and what? Charm our way into this insane plan?” I ask, crossing my arms.
Levi flashes me a wicked grin. “Leave the charming to me, brother. You just keep your eyes on the prize and maybe help a little with your mind tricks.”
I sigh, knowing there’s no talking him out of it now. The wheels are already in motion, and Levi is too excited about this plan to back down. If we’re going to take down the woman who killed Oscar, we need to get creative. And if that means playing dirty, so be it.
“Fine,” I mutter, already feeling the weight of what’s to come. “But if this backfires?—”
“It won’t,” Levi interrupts, slinging an arm around my shoulders. “I’ve got this.”
I shake my head as we make our way toward the entrance of the graveyard, waiting for Ezra to pick us up. The truth is, I’m not sure if Levi’s plan will work or if it’ll blow up in our faces.
But he’s right.There’s no turning back now.
NINE
My movements flow like liquid fire as I wrap my legs around the pole, the rhythm of the music pulsing through my body. Each twist and arch feel natural, fueled by the vodka shots I downed backstage, now swirling with the bottle of red wine. It’s a dangerous cocktail, but it takes the edge off, smoothing the jagged nerves left by my run-in with the Lane twins.
My mask didn’t slip on as easily, the one I put on each night to become Glitter. So, I reached for a little liquid courage to help me push through. It’s working, but not enough to stop my thoughts from constantly returning to the watch in my locker. It sits there, a weight, burning a hole in my consciousness.
Let’s face it. Koen Lane isn’t going to march in here and demand it back. But still, having his watch on me, out and about in Vegas, is risky. If he connects the dots…
No.
I do a full rotation around the pole.
That’s ridiculous.
The truth is, it wasn’t my best steal. I was more than tipsy and didn’t do it intentionally, so I was too careless.
I’m usually so much better.
And yet, I was still good enough to lift something from a celebrity.
I smile, sliding down the pole one last time before I make my way to the edge of the stage, turning my back to the crowd. Slowly, deliberately, I bend forward, giving them a perfect view of my ass. I can feel their collective breath hitch, eyes glued to every curve as I hold the pose long enough to make them hungry for more. Eager hands reach, crumpled bills clutched tight, waiting for their chance to be close to me.
A hand brushes where it shouldn’t, fingers lingering on my ass as one of them slides a hundred-dollar bill into my string. I spin around, locking eyes with the idiot. He’s a guy in his late thirties with slicked-back hair and a designer suit that screams money but does nothing to hide the sleaze in his dark, hooded eyes. His lips curl into a smug grin as if he thinks the cash gives him the right to touch.
That’s when I let my heel slam into his chest, wiping that grin off his face. A faint smile curves my lips as I meet his startled gaze. “Look, don’t touch,” I purr, laced with a honeyed threat that dares him to try again.
