Page 109 of Vegas Daddies

“Yes,” Match says, “we can, actually. It was Russians that kidnapped her in the first place. In fact, one wannabe Slavic is in the room with us right now.” Match’s eyes wander over to Levi.

“Let’s not focus on that at present,” I say. “The point is, the same thing could happen again, or worse, if we don’t act. I’m not fond of the idea either”—I squint at Levi—“but heading straight for the root problem and killing Vlad will ensure Alice’s safety.” I turn to Peter. “Your life and reputation too.”

Peter unclenches his jaw.

“Okay, so, where was I?” Levi scratches his chin.

Allowing a child to take the lead in a plan irks me. The boy deserves punishment for disrespecting Alice and trying (and failing) to kidnap her multiple times, yet here he stands commanding attention.

I drop my eyes to the floor.

He doesn’t get the satisfaction of winning mine.

“You three.” Levi eyes us all. “Our assassins. This is where you come in. I’ll lure Vlad alone downstairs away from the main room in Ursula and Hook. He’ll be in a good mood with the money waterfall Alice will be generating, and then all three of you attack. Three against one.” He extends his hands as if to welcome compliments. “He won’t stand a chance.”

I keep my eyes glued to the floor. Narrow them. I want to contradict the guy for all the shit he’s caused, but the plan sounds half decent. It would work. Three against one.

Alice will need to be stripping, though.

Someone’s gonna have to tie up my hands as we enter the building.

My fists have a mind of their own when it comes to other men gawping at my girl.

Especially when she’s dancing in lingerie.

Such performances are supposed to be for our eyes only.

I look up at the other two and meet their same cautious expressions. Lifesaver furls his lip, but the consistent eye contact and subtle head nod tells me he’s in.

Match, hands scratching his arms I can tell, is currently struggling with his ego.

If he’s not gonna rise as spokesperson, someone’s gonna have to.

“No,” Peter says. He shakes his head. “Al will be going nowhere near a brothel.”

“It’s not a brothel,” Levi says.

“Yes.” I stand, feet firmly planted in the ground. “Let’s do it.” Shaking off the death glare from Peter, I open my mouth and continue, “The sooner, the better. We take action tomorrow night. Alice?” I turn to her. “Are you okay with all this? If you say no, we’ll think of something else.”

“Yes, I can do it,” she says firmly.

Peter goes white.

“Okay then.” Match claps his hands. “Let’s do this.”

Peter walks into the living room looking lost, like he’s in a stranger’s home. His green eyes cut to Lifesaver. “Out.” Then to Levi and the rest of us. “All of you except Alice, before I change my mind.”

“Actually, that’s another thing.” Lifesaver stalls in the doorway. “I don’t think Alice is best here in the meantime. Russians know this area like the back of their hands. If they want to hunt Alicedown, this place will be second on the list after the hospital. She’ll be safer at Brander’s place. It’s off the grid.”

“And let me guess? You two will be there too?” Peter says.

“To protect her,” Match says.

Peter kicks his feet against the floor, mouth opening and closing like he’s trying to find the right words. It’s like Sophie’s Choice.

“Fine.” He screws his lips into a ball. “Just for tonight.” He turns to Alice. “Tomorrow, baby, when this is all over, we have some talking to do. We can look at getting you an abortion.”

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