Rafe was reminded again of Kayn. He had the same dogged determination that his sister did.
“You should talk with Darius about it,” he said. “It’s his team.”
“That’s right. Take the lazy way and pass the buck to another founder. You four worked together to create this, so you’ve all had input.” Her disgusted tone now carried a hint of humor, and she didn’t quite roll her eyes at him as she shifted to look at him. “REKD is so different from that first game you sold for all thatmoney. Why’d you guys decide to do an online battle arena rather than an app?”
“It was sheer luck that we hit on a hungry market for that first one. The odds of us being able to duplicate it were slim. None of us wanted to retire in our mid-twenties. When Kayn suggested a competitive game, we all liked the idea. I’m the one who thought it had Esports potential. We had the money, so why not?”
“Your MBA probably didn’t hurt.” Ahri sounded approving now, and Rafe’s neck muscles relaxed.
“Well, we needed someone who understood business, and I had my Harvard connections in the field, so here I am.” Rafe heaved out a breath.
“Don’t you like it?” Ahri asked.
“I don’t mind it. I also have a brother-in-law with family connections who were willing to invest. They expected me to be at the helm, so I am. What I love isthis.” Rafe pointed to his laptop.
Ahri watched him for a second, considering, the corner of her mouth curving up. “What do you?—”
The door opened, and they both turned.
“You two ready to go?” Bill asked.
“We sure are.” Rafe stood and reached out a hand to pull Ahri to her feet.
“Let me get my hat,” she said.
“Hang on.” Bill held up a package that had a flip-phone in it. “I picked up a burner phone for you in case whoever’s after your husband is sophisticated enough to track you that way. Once again, it’s a precaution. You should write down only important phone numbers, like your mother’s, because I’m taking your phone offline.”
“What about my bank account? I checked it tonight.”
“Write down those numbers, and then I’ll remove the battery.”
4
AHRI WAS QUIET ON THE drive to the gaming den. For some reason, the phone thing had hit her harder than anything else. She’d been in a dream-like state, but the issue of her electronic footprint being traceable had made it real. Bill seemed committed to making her go silent. While she appreciated that he was trying to keep her safe, it worried her that she might not have access to her money.
The car pulled up to the theater, and she surveyed a giant sign that hung where the marquee would have been with the wordsThe Gaming Den, cleverly made up of controllers and board game pieces. They got in line to pay their entrance fee which Rafe handled. She liked that he didn’t assume he should get in free.
“I can pay for myself.” Ahri did have some cash on her.
“I’ve got it.” Rafe gently touched her arm when she started to argue. “I’m actually looking forward to this as more than a work visit. Please, let me pay for you.”
Warmth crept up her face and spread through her body. His bright blue eyes held hers for a second. Then a small crease appeared between them. He blinked and dropped his hand.
“Okay,” Ahri said when she could finally get a breath. “Thanks.”
All the garbage she’d been dealing with lately must have taken its toll on her. What an emotional mess she was, responding to him like that. She gave herself a mental shake. It was stupid.
When they entered, the smell of popcorn hit Ahri, and her stomach growled. Not wanting to think about whatever that had been with Rafe, she turned her attention to the line of people at the concessions.
On the other side of the lobby was the nook Rafe had mentioned, where two tables had been set up. One had people playing a card game. Based on how they were dressed, one wearing elf ears and another in a mage’s robes, she guessed it might beMagic.
“What does it cost in utilities for a place this size?” she asked. “Can they make enough at the door and with concessions to pay the overhead?”
“That’s the question of the year,” Rafe said. “They only opened six months ago. We’re trusting that enough gamers want the shared in-person experience. They’re advertising at local theaters and online. The numbers have been steadily increasing as word gets out.”
Ahri’s stomach growled again.
“Sounds like you’re ready for dinner,” Rafe said with a chuckle.
