If he’s tailing me, he must’ve followed me here from the hotel without drawing my attention. When I parked the car and went into the mall, he must’ve lost my trail. I’m positive I wasn’t followed when I walked to Charlie’s. He’s been here, waiting for me to return.
I climb into the car and pretend to check something on my phone until the only other person in the garage besides the lurker and me drives out.
What’s my best course of action now?Kurt’s man no doubt already knows I’m staying at the l’Impérial Palace. I can pretend I haven’t outed him, or I can lay my cards on the table and confront him. Locating the CCTV cameras on the walls, I gauge their angles. If I do this right, none of the cameras will get a clear view of our interaction.
Adrenaline surging, I stride toward the guy.
“Hey,” I call out. “Haven’t I seen you at the hotel?”
He weighs his options before responding, “Maybe. I stay in a lot of hotels.”
“You wouldn’t happen to be following me, would you?” I circle around him, cutting off his path to the exit.
He scoffs. “Why would I be following you? I don’t even know you.”
“Cut the crap.” I lower my voice to a growl. “Who sent you?”
As I close the distance between us, he lunges at me, his fist aimed at my face. Dodging his attack, I grab his arm and twist it behind his back. He grunts in pain.
That’s tough, because I won’t let up.I need answers.
“Who are you working for?” I demand, tightening my grip.
He tries to free himself from my hold. “You’re making a mistake! I don’t work for anyone.”
I slam him against the wall. The sound of his body hitting it reverberates through the silent garage.
“You don’t want to talk?” I press, my anger rising. “Fine. We’ll do this the hard way.”
He tries to elbow me in the ribs, but I’m ready for it. I deflect his blow as my fist connects with his jaw. He staggers back, momentarily stunned.
I kick his legs out from under him. As soon as he’s prone on the ground, I straddle him and pin his arms down with my knees.
“Now you’re going to tell me who sent you,” I hiss, my face inches from his, “or I’ll make sure you never follow anyone again.”
“You won’t dare!” he chokes out.
“Why? Because you believe I’m too nice for that? Or because of who your boss is?”
“Both.”
Ah. One of Kurt’s minions.
“I really am going to hurt you,” I growl.
I grab his arm and twist until he whimpers in pain.
“Since you’re tailing me,” I say, “then you were briefed, and you know I had both my arms and legs broken not so long ago because of your boss’s actions. I’d love to do the same to one of his men! It’ll be a little postcard, an inside joke between Mr. Ozzi and me.”
The man’s eyes widen with fear. “I’m just doing my job,” he stammers. “I have nothing against you personally!”
Hook, line, and sinker!“Are you alone?”
“Yes. I swear!”
I believe him as it happens. According to MESS, Kurt still thinks that Princess Eugénie is the current key seeker. It follows he would send only one man to tail me just in case. Clearly, not one of his best men.
“Why is Kurt having me followed?” I ask. “My boss found the key while I was out of commission. It’s done. Why keep an eye on me?”
