Page 86 of Scattered Glitter

“Perfect. She’s spotted Belmont. He’s at the outside bar. She’s hanging back, watching him. Seems as if she’s scoping him out before making a move.”

“Good,” I murmur, more to myself than to Koen. I want her to take her time. Assess the situation, feel out the angles. That’s what I would do.

“Belmont looks pretty damn bored.”

“Bored, huh? That could work in her favor.” The guy is too used to being entertained, never having to work for anything. Maybe he’s ripe for the picking.

“Remind me why we need his number again?” Koen’s voice is edged with skepticism. “We’ve got his business line from when Levi invited him to the birthday party, right?”

“We do, but Sy wants his private one. He wants to try to track Belmont’s location. He thinks Veronica’s screwing around with Belmont. Even if she’s not, it wouldn’t hurt to know his whereabouts…” I pause, thinking it through. “Could give us leverage. A safety net.”

“He thinks they’re screwing?” Koen laughs. “She’s here, too, and right now, it looks more like he’s too afraid to even look her in the eyes.”

“Hey, I don’t know. It’s Sylus’s theory, but getting Belmont’s number only has perks for the plan.”

Koen lets out a small hum of acknowledgment. “If we even get that far. She still has to get the damn card.”

“Well…” I sigh, tapping my thumb against my thigh, “… that’s what today’s about, isn’t it? Seeing if she’s got what it takes.”

Maybe she does.

Hope. A sliver of it.

This could actually work.

Koen goes quiet for a moment, and I know he’s watching her, analyzing her moves, reading her in the way only he can.

“She’s approaching him now,” he says eventually. “She’s got that look… that confidence. Not forced, either. Natural.”

I swallow, my grip on the phone tightening as I close my eyes, trying to picture it.Her. Even though I have no idea what she looks like.

“What’s she doing now?” I ask, perhaps too soon to come off as casual. I even consider asking him to send a photo of what’s happening, but I refrain. My curiosity is starting to get the better of me.

“She’s not overdoing it. Casual, like she’s just there for a drink. I’ll try to get closer to hear what they say when she starts talking him up.”

The sound gets muffled again, and all I can do is wait.

God, I hate waiting.

Jinx yawns, stretching one paw out, then tucks it back under herself, entirely unimpressed by the unfolding drama.

“He’s not paying her any mind yet.” Koen sucks in a breath. “Wait… there it is. Fuck me, that was a bold move. She just demanded he look at her. And he did.”

“She did what?”

What the fuck?

Maybe she isn’t what we need after all. Can’t have her go around and fuck shit up for us with her conceitedness.

“She’s telling him what to do. And… holy shit… he’s doing it.” Koen’s voice is tinged with something that almost sounds like admiration. “His body language changed. He’s curious now, leaning in. She’s…got him. He’s standing there like a deer caught in headlights, and now I can see it too.” Koen huffs a laugh. “Oh my God, he’sintothat shit.”

She figured that out before Koen did?

“Sounds like she’s better than you thought?”

“She’s better thanyouthought,” he retorts with a hint of amusement. “He’s giving her his card. Jesus, she’s even got him writing down another number on it. Probably his private one like you wanted.”

Impressive.

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