Page 129 of Vicious Little Games

Cass’s instant response is, I can take care of myself.

At least I saw that she has her gun in her thigh holster under her dress if shit goes bad. I know Cass won’t hesitate to shoot anyone who endangers her.

“Ready, boss?” August asks when he holds open the rear passenger door for me while Mike cranks up the engine from the driver seat.

“Yes. But I’m not your boss,” I remind him.

“You’re one of them,” he says as I climb inside. “Dante might be the big boss, but we take orders from you too now.”

“Fine. Whatever,” I agree, too busy worrying about Cass to even appreciate their loyalty to me.

I haven’t ever been to the Russian club before, and it’s crowded, but nothing like most venues along the strip with a mile long wait to get admitted. The music is too soft, and the bar must be slow since it’s actually slam-packed.

Cass’s red hair should be easy to spot even in the dim club. When I don’t find her right away, I start to panic.

“Where are Cass’s guards?” I ask August.

“There,” he says, pointing to the far side of the bar.

“Why isn’t she with them?” I ask as I weave my way through people to ask them that question.

“Where the fuck is Cass?” I ask the guy in charge; Brian I think is his name. He’s holding some sort of alcoholic beverage with a cherry on top, sipping away on the red straw like he’s relaxing by the pool on vacation.

“Calm down. She just went to the ladies’ room,” he says.

“Why didn’t one of you go with her?” I ask him and his sidekick. “And why the hell are you drinking on the job?”

Brian eyes August who says, “Don’t look at me. Answer the man.”

“Not that I owe you an explanation,” he begins. “But Cass asked us to order her a drink, one without alcohol in it, fuck you very much. And she wanted one of us to taste it to make sure it’s not poisoned. I’m risking my life right now.”

“That’s literally your fucking job!” I remind him. “And Cass is wandering around alone in the club of Dante’s biggest rival!”

Muttering a swear, he says, “Sam, go check on Cass, will ya?”

The man who looks even less competent than Brian, darts his eyes between him and me. “What, like, do you want me to actually go into the women’s bathroom?”

“No,” Brian says at the same time I tell him, “Yes!”

“There are stalls, you know,” August tells him. “It’s not like you’re going to see her on the pot or whatever.”

With a nod, the man finally wonders off. I’m about to stop him and tell him I’ll go find her myself when someone grabs my arm. A familiar woman with white-blonde hair.

“Inessa?” I say in surprise when I take a step back out of her grip.

“Keep your hands off him,” Mike warns her.

She ignores him, speaking only to me. “Hello, Cole. I thought you might show too.”

“What are you doing here?” I ask her since she helps manage the sports bar.

“Looking for you. Can we talk outside for a moment?” she asks.

“We can talk here.” I’m not leaving this building until I see Cass with my own two eyes. “And make it quick,” I tell her, wanting her to be gone before Cass gets back.

Going up on her toes, she cups her mouth and says into my ear so softly I miss several words. It sounds like she says, “Dante will never choose you; you know that don't you?”

I turn my head to look at her face, trying to figure out what the fuck she’s talking about.

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