Page 105 of The Villain

“Oh, crap. Wallet?”

“Backpack.”

“Keys?” She winces.

“Apartment.”

“That’s not so bad,” she smiles again. “I always have my lockpicks.”

“I know,” I smile back and slide into the passenger seat.

“How do you plan on winning?” Tera eyes my bare feet when we get back into the car.

“By testing him.” I smile back.

“He has no idea what he’s getting into,” she laughs. “Apartment?”

“Please.”

The trip is about fifteen minutes. A glance in the mirror shows Shade’s face set in a scowl and Andi looking around in discomfort. He knows where we’re going. Andi probably thinks he’s going to drop her off in the slums and leave her behind.

When Tera parks this time, Shade chooses to park beside my truck. When I get out, he holds the backpack up like a taunt, assuming I’ll need something from it to get in.

I ignore him to walk inside.

Tera starts laughing at him and takes another picture on her phone.

“I want to get one of the look on his face when he realizes he might lose,” she tells me as we go up the stairs.

“It’ll be after this. Delete it after you send it to me.” My eyes narrow as I remember that there’s another set of photos out there. In the hands of men who don’t deserve them.

“Of course,” she acts offended that I felt I had to ask.

I’ll deal with the other issue after some planning.

Tera is fast with the picks on the door. Much quicker than she used to be. I collect my hidden phone, the key, and the shoes Shade left behind in his rage.

“Are you going to put them on?”

“No. Be patient.”

She starts her maniacal giggling as we go back down to the bottom apartment where the landlord has his office and lives. I stuff my phone and charger into my shoe to keep them hidden.

“Ms. Queen, I never see you,” the landlord gives me a leering once-over that makes me want to stab him in the eye. Tera’s lip curls with disgust.

“Keys.” I toss them to him.

“Leaving so soon?” He chuckles with a smile. “You’ll be back.”

I don’t respond. But I do start to step out of my pajama shorts.

His eyes widen in surprise as he watches me. Tera’s do the same.

“Picture,” I tell her with a smirk as I hand them over to the skeezy landlord.

The way he’s hiding in the doorway as he holds one side of the shorts leaves his face covered. I’m the sole focus in my thong and cut-off shirt with a smile. The camera clicks as Tera gapes at me.

“Send it to him after you leave here.”

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