Page 33 of Dangerous Pursuit

Not that I have room to talk. Hell, weeks ago, I’d been making the rounds myself. Now, I’m just biding my time until I can satisfy my fantasy without the use of my hand and imagination. If her reaction to me caging her in at poker was any indication, it won’t be a hard sell.

“We’ll see. But I need to figure out what’s going on with her first. My gut tells me something’s up even though she insists there isn’t. She’s always tired and hasn’t been her usual self since I caught sight of those marks.”

My phone rings as I finish my comment. When I pull it out of my pocket, the security firm lights up the screen. Speak of the devil.

“Hello?” I answer immediately.

“Good evening, Mr. Soloman. I’ve just tracked Mia to an industrial building in the warehouse district. There are no windows at ground level, so I can’t see what’s happening without going in. A few nicer cars are parked outside, so there are a handful of people already here. I don’t have a problem checking it out, but I didn’t want to put you in a bad spot by blowing my cover and thought I’d get your thoughts first.”

Well, fuck.“Are you sure it’s not just some teenage rager? That seems typical for a Friday night.” I offer.

“There’s no loud music coming from inside, and I’d expect more teenagers to show up if that were the case. So far, I’ve only seen two other males enter, casually dressed in their mid-thirties. It’s your call, boss. We can go in or wait it out.”

“How did she look going in? Was she hesitant or scared?” If that’s the case, he should have started with that information.

“She appeared normal, cautious of her surroundings, but nothing out of the ordinary. She hesitated before going in, possibly from fear, but nothing I could make out from where I was standing.”

“Text me the address, and I’ll get back to you in five minutes with my decision. I have an idea what we’re dealing with. Thank you for the call,” I say before hanging up.

“Goddammit. Mia’s at another tournament, and it’s a lot seedier than the last one. What should I do? She doesn’t know I’m having her followed, so I’m reluctant to send security in. Any chance you have a connection to this one?” I show the address to Eli, who’s usually the one to hook us up when a good game comes up. I’m assuming this one is not, which is why we didn’t hear about it.

“Let me check.” He looks down and starts scrolling on his phone.

“Why don’t you just go there yourself and pull her out?” Sebastian asks. He wouldn’t hesitate to do just that, consequences be damned.

“Because there’s no reason for me to know she’s there. I’d have to tell her I’ve been having her followed, and I’m pretty sure that won’t go over well.”

“I agree with Sebastian. Fuck it. If she’ll end up mad eventually, why does it matter if it’s today or some other day?” Braden gives his two cents.

I scowl at him, telling him exactly what I don’t say aloud—he’s supposed to be on my side.

“Did you find anything?” I ask Eli, still not sure what the right move is.

“There’s a reason I didn’t suggest we go to this one,” he replies. “The guys putting it on aren’t ones you or I want tobe involved with. It’s a bad idea for Mia to be hanging around this group. If I were you, I’d meet your guy and go in together. You don’t want to stir up trouble, but getting her out of there is probably worth the risk.”

“Fuck. How is she even getting into this shit? Maybe that’s where I need to start. How do you end up on the list for a game like this?” I direct my question toward Eli since he seems to be in the know.

“Sorry, man, knowing criminals is the only way to get into these kinds of tournaments, which means she’s somehow connected to the wrong people.” Eli shakes his head and sips his beer.

“Sounds like you’ve got your hands full with this one. Good luck with that,” Sebastian says.

“Yeah, I think I’ll need it. Could you contact the host and let him know I’ll be stopping by without causing any problems?” If Eli was able to find the game, I’m hoping he can make a connection.

“I don’t know, but I’ll try. I can’t guarantee anything, so tread lightly when you get there.”

“Be careful, man, and remember—four more days. Don’t do anything stupid,” Braden says.As if I could forget.

“Yeah, yeah, I get it. You guys enjoy. It looks like I’m out of here.”

I text my guy on the way out with instructions to wait and that I’ll be there soon.

Mia

This is nothing like the last tournament they sent me to. This one is filled with sleazy men who keep leering, making me uncomfortable. And because they only have one table for twelve, I’m sandwiched between two creepers who keep brushingagainst me too frequently to be considered accidental. It doesn’t help my anxiety that the last text instructed me to be extra nice and not cause any problems with these guys—that there would be consequences otherwise.

We’re already down to eight players after an hour, with a couple more about to go out. It takes thirty minutes to knock out the next three players, leaving five, including myself. The good news is that I won’t be here all night, but the bad news is that the last guy who went out didn’t leave and is trying to make a move on me. He’s standing behind me, and my anxiety skyrockets when he starts brushing my cheek while making lewd comments, causing the other guys at the table to laugh at his tactics.

The host, or whoever is at the entrance, calls for a ten-minute break at the absolute worst time, giving this guy the perfect window of opportunity.

---