Page 78 of Kings Against the World

An instant cold chill pours over me, paralyzing me on the spot. I can barely keep the shock of it from bleeding into my expression.

“There she is!” Boone’s voice booms above the rest of the racket in the lounge. He’s approaching from behind with a cigar smoldering in his mouth.

I spin around from the table I’m wiping down and almost knock over the empty glasses on the table.

“Your boyfriend’s been a no show for this round,” he says. “I hope he realizes that means he’s disqualified—and of course, there’ll be consequences.”

“I… I’m not sure where he is. We haven’t spoken all day.”

Boone cackles, smoke hazing between us. He looks at the other two men he’s with. On his left is Carlito Estrada. On his right is a man I don’t recognize. He’s of average height with a number of visible tattoos, ear-length golden brown hair, and distinctly gaunt cheeks, like he’s gone far too long without a good meal. He looks maybe only a few years younger than Boone, though he seems a lot less jovial. His expression is ambiguous, his eyes dark.

“So there is trouble in paradise!” Boone exclaims. “I suspected after last night things were going south between you two. Though can’t say I blame Oz—maybe he didn’t want his girl banging all the VIPs in the lounge. Are you ready for tonight, doll?”

My gaze swings from Boone to Estrada and then to the last man. I’m still thrown off by the hidden camera being gone, and the fact that Ozzie has disappeared too only unsettles me more. Are these things connected and I’m already in deep shit?

“Yes, of course,” I say, keeping my act up. “I told you I needed the extra cash, didn’t I?”

“That’s good news then because I want to introduce you to someone special.” Boone gestures to the man on his left who I’ve never seen any other night of the tournament. “Meet Nathaniel Rollins. He’s a very special guest who’s come a long, long way. Itold him I’d show him a good time tonight and what better way to do that than to offer him our newest girl?”

20

ZOE

“Oh.”

It’s the only word I can think of in response. At least until the gears in my brain work again and I quickly add a smile and say, “I’m looking forward to showing him a good time.”

But really I’m searching my mind for where I’ve heard the name Nathaniel Rollins before. My search comes up blank. I can’t pinpoint where I’ve heard the name, though something tells me I have…

“Then how about we get things set up?” Boone asks loudly, grinning around at the three of us. “You and Sugar go ahead and get us our drinks to one of the private rooms. We’ll be joining you in a few.”

I nod, my smile almost faltering. I gather the last of the empty glasses at the table I’ve been cleaning and then escape to the bar. Sugar’s in the middle of chitchatting with the bartender when I approach, feeling more uncertain than I ever have during an investigation.

The fact that the hidden camera I’d placed is missing is a huge cause for concern. It makes me wonder if the other one I’dplanted in the private room is still there. How else will I capture evidence of what Boone’s facilitating in those rooms?

I’m not wearing a wire or cam myself. If I go in there and it’s gone, everything I’ve done posing undercover will have been in vain.

I’ll also be putting my life on the line again, this time for no return. I was fine with the idea of sacrificing myself if it meant bringing Boone down, but if I won’t even get that win out of this situation, then what the hell am I doing?

“You okay, Jade?” Sugar asks. “You look like you’re a little sick.”

I blink out of my thoughts and roll my shoulders in feigned indifference. “Just a busy night.”

“Is this about Ozzie?” she asks. “I noticed he’s not here tonight. I overheard Boone talking about it earlier. He’s pissed.”

I bet he is.

“Boone wants us in one of the private rooms. Room one should be available, right?”

Please, please let the camera still be there.

Sugar frowns. “I don’t think so. Nova and Versace were in there with some investment banker.”

Shit.

“Oh,” I say, my heart racing. “That’s Boone’s favorite, isn’t it?”

“We can do room five. That’s his other. He really likes all the mirrors and the pole in the middle in that one.”

---