“Or overthinking it,” I mutter, my lips twitching as I type out a quick message to her.
Tick-tock.
I watch the screen, waiting for a response, an odd mix of amusement and irritation running through me. The damn anticipation is exhilarating and infuriating.
I don’t have all day.
Well, maybe I technically do, but she doesn’t need to know that.
The real problem is that I don’t like having Koen out there, exposed, watching her from a distance while I sit here. I know he has a black hat pulled low and sunglasses on, blending in as much as possible, but even with his best attempts at being incognito, there’s always a risk of him being recognized and harassed.
“What did you tell her?” Koen asks, a chuckle breaking through the line. “She rolled her eyesdramatically.But hey, at least she’s moving now.” I hear the smile in his voice, and a small one tugs at my own lips in response.
“Just gave her a little push,” I mutter, brushing my fingers over Jinx’s fur, and her head nudges my palm. Like a domino effect, Koen’s amusement trickled all the way to the cat.
“We’re heading toward the Plaza now,” Koen updates, the ambient sounds from his end growing more muffled as he moves.
I nod, even though he can’t see me. I won’t say it, but I’m thankful for him being out there for me, being my eyes today when I can’t be.
Because leaving the house…
The thought alone, the idea of standing in the middle of all those people, the press of bodies, the unpredictability of the crowd, people dodging around me, brushing past, I suppress a shudder imagining it, even as my skin crawls.
My phone buzzes in my hand, a message coming through. I glance at the screen, expecting her, but it’s Sylus.
Sylus
The car is where you wanted it. Locked.
Thank you, Sy.
A tiny flicker of warmth flickers to life inside me that feels a little like belonging.They’ve all got me.
“Sylus parked the Mustang next to the Bellagio,” I tell Koen, leaning back and stroking Jinx again.
“Perfect. She’s spotted Belmont. He’s at the outside bar. She’s hanging back, watching him. Seems as if she’s scoping him out before making a move.”
“Good,” I murmur, more to myself than to Koen. I want her to take her time. Assess the situation, feel out the angles. That’s what I would do.
“Belmont looks pretty damn bored.”
“Bored, huh? That could work in her favor.” The guy is too used to being entertained, never having to work for anything. Maybe he’s ripe for the picking.
“Remind me why we need his number again?” Koen’s voice is edged with skepticism. “We’ve got his business line from when Levi invited him to the birthday party, right?”
“We do, but Sy wants his private one. He wants to try to track Belmont’s location. He thinks Veronica’s screwing around with Belmont. Even if she’s not, it wouldn’t hurt to know his whereabouts…” I pause, thinking it through. “Could give us leverage. A safety net.”
“He thinks they’re screwing?” Koen laughs. “She’s here, too, and right now, it looks more like he’s too afraid to even look her in the eyes.”
“Hey, I don’t know. It’s Sylus’s theory, but getting Belmont’s number only has perks for the plan.”
Koen lets out a small hum of acknowledgment. “If we even get that far. She still has to get the damn card.”
“Well…” I sigh, tapping my thumb against my thigh, “… that’s what today’s about, isn’t it? Seeing if she’s got what it takes.”
Maybe she does.
Hope. A sliver of it.
