Page 59 of Desperate Vows

“That’s my guess, too,” Alexander added.

I pulled my gun from my shoulder holster hidden by my suit coat, checked it, and returned it. “Guess it’s my turn to join the party.”

Ari moved as though he was going with me. With his skill set, it would be smart to take him, but he was the next in line. Franklin was mine, and I didn’t know how this would shake out.

“No, Ari. If something happens to me, you need to be around.”

“But—”

“No. This is mine.”

I waited for him to argue, and he surprised me by nodding. “All right.”

Stepping out of the car, I scanned the area and crossed the street. If there were any cameras, Dimitris would have taken care of them by now.

I knocked on the door, and a young woman answered it. The nametag said Cindy and the skimpy costume was meant to allude to the fairytale princess.

“Hi.” She smiled, but there was fear in her eyes. She wasn’t the same little girl who answered the door when I first visited the club. “Welcome to Nocturnal.”

“Hi, Cindy.”

Her bottom lip trembled.

Are you in trouble? I mouthed.

She stared at me.

I gave a slight nod and winked. “Well, Cindy aren’t you cute? You look like a girl who’d enjoy seeing my sports car.”

“Oh, no, I can’t?—”

“I thought as a member I had certain…privileges.” I wrapped my arm around her shoulders. “Now, come on and show me a good time like you’re supposed to.” I pulled her free from the door and walked toward the parking lot. As we walked, I checked her for wires, and noted the button on her name tag. I snatched it off, dropped it, and stomped on it.

Taking her by the shoulders, I turned her until she faced me. “You see that car across the street?”

She nodded.

“When I say run, do it. Don’t look back. Just go. You’ll be safe, I promise.”

“Hey!” A guy yelled.

“Yeah?” I yelled over my shoulder.

“Why don’t you bring the girl back before I have to get unfriendly?” He shot back.

I turned, keeping Cindy shielded with my body. “I’m a member of this club, and I was told I’d be afforded certain special privileges.”

“She’s not one of them,” he said and waved at me to return with her.

Dimitris had made his way to the front of the building, and he plastered himself against the wall. He nodded.

“Run.”

As she took off, I drew my weapon, and stopped. The guy was clawing at his throat, foaming at the mouth, and then dropped to the ground. I check over my shoulder and watch Cindy duck into the car with Ari.

“What did you do to him?” I asked Dimitris as I met up with him at the front door.

In my earpiece, I heard Alexander. “You got two on the move, coming up the stairs.”

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