Page 66 of Escape From Me

There was a rap on the main doors into the showroom as our boys told us what we’d been waiting for. We shifted, Daisy not fighting me as we headed toward a darkened edge of the roomwhere we specifically didn’t have any spotlights, allowing us to always watch who came and went as needed.

The doors opened into the parlor of Enigma where we were able to contain and screen anyone without distributing the guests inside. The first guest walked in. I’d embedded each invitation with a code to tell me exactly who was who without them ever knowing. As each was scanned, my watch vibrated with information being sent directly to me.

Daisy squeezed my arm tight.

“That’s not him.”

I nodded. “No.”

Slowly they trickled in. The event said eight, but that meant most of the elite wouldn’t show up until nine or even ten. Still, the night was young.

The next to walk in was a woman, one I knew well enough and knew exactly how easy she was to buy. Still, she was a widow of the late mayor and far too good at finding husbands. Tonight I’d ensure she'd run into someone I needed. That wasn’t to say she wouldn’t be useful throughout this night though.

“Daisy? Excuse me a moment. Stay with Rylee and Cali no matter what.”

The plan had been simple tonight. A few strategic political moves could be orchestrated to attract Senator Ashford. We’d invited enough in his circle to make sure his curiosity would bring him here.

“Lady,” was all I said as I approached the widow. Names were kept secret. Cash was the only payment accepted and deliveries were set up at a warehouse the next day.

“Oh, I’d recognize you anywhere, Wraith.”

The nickname was ridiculous, but everyone wanted to feel like they knew who the owners of Enigma were. The Arcane Alchemist, the Wraith, and the Joker. They all wanted to know who the dark men were who had ties to the gangs these weaponsmight have come from. They could tell themselves whatever story they needed to and they would always be wrong but not far from the truth.

“I hope you enjoyed your invitation. A little trinket just for you from the Arcane Alchemist.”

She stretched her neck, the low neckline of the dress having hidden nothing, but I smiled at her. The choker was designed from several strands of wire that had been used to tie up a few of our enemies and was no longer of use. They’d been bent and twisted into jewelry. A single bullet casing placed off center, the whole thing plated, and a diamond stud seated into the casing to add the detail that she would come to expect. What she wouldn’t know is that this piece was just as trackable as my dove’s was.

“Wonderful. In return, I need a favor. There will be a gentleman showing up. Perhaps with a woman on his arm, maybe alone. No matter. I need you to pull him away for me.”

She smiled. “Oh, I do love games. How will I know him, Wraith?”

I hated being the one to set this all up. But seducing a woman had become an art. I had rules to follow. Steps that I would tick off. But now that I knew Daisy would be the one to have to watch me, my fucking rules had to change.

She pushed herself closer, her breasts pressing against my arm, and it disgusted me more now than it had ever before. Still, I played the game. I let her touch me as she needed, but I wouldn’t touch her.

“I’ll let you know when he arrives. And once you’ve played your part to get him to the bar, give him a drink the bartender will ensure only you get, and then I’ll make sure you get your next reward just like always.”

The woman was practically purring. Perhaps one day she’d figure out it wasn’t me fucking her, but it wouldn’t matter. WhenI had willing men who liked this game as much as our rich little pawns, it didn’t matter to me.

“Now, please go mingle. I’ll let you know when the game will start.”

I watched the widow do as told and turned around, running straight into Daisy. The mask might have hidden her identity, but her eyes were a dead giveaway.

“What was that, husband?” Her words were clipped and her eyes screamed murder.

“That was the start of my plan, wife.” I mirrored her tone, but I was far more amused at this side of her.

I looked around, ensuring that the widow had found her way to the girls swinging on ribbons hung from the ceiling. They were all scantily clad as we played into the dark side of the elite’s hunger.

Leaning into Daisy, I whispered against her ear.

“Are you jealous?”

I nearly choked as her hand reached out and gripped me by the balls.

“Me? Jealous? Never. As long as this thing stays in those pants.”

Fuck if I didn’t cough. But instead of playing her little game, I pressed against her hand, loving the way she reacted since she hadn’t anticipated that. I wrapped my arm around her and held her as she nearly fell.

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