Page 76 of Duke
“Yep, I’ll be waiting at the far door once I make sure we’re ready.”
He’ll be sneaking in via the hallway with their secret rooms. It makes me nervous for him. I’m nervous for myself. Nervous for the guys following me in. Worried we’ll fuck it up. Worried someone will get hurt. Worried they'll somehow keep getting away with it.
Mason slips quietly from the SUV, and we watch him dart to the side of the building and begin the process of picking all the locks on the doors.
Bear reaches back, putting a hand on my knee. “You good? We don’t have to do it this way.”
“No. We do. Because it will be that much more satisfying.”
His lips curve. “You just get as much info out of them as possible. Get them to admit whatever you can.” He squeezes my leg with his big hand. “And if things go south, get the fuck out. Don’t stick around to try to help. That’s why we’re following you in. We’ll handle it. You shout for help, we know you’re in real trouble.”
“And you won’t come before that.” I eye the two of them, wondering how long they’ll let this go on before they can’t stand it anymore and come to my rescue.
Duke nods as he alternately watches the phone screen and follows Mason’s stealthy movements as he works his way around the back of the building. “It kills me to send you in with them at all. They don’t deserve to breathe the same air.” He looks at me in the rearview. “But yes, we’ll wait until you ask for help, unless something really drastic happens, in which case, Archer will tell us. You’ve got this. I know you do. They aren’t expecting us, and definitely not you—and you aren’t the girl they think they know, anyway. We’ve got your back. All of us.” He swallows hard, tapping his fingers against the steering wheel. “Archer and Elliot will be out here with the computer equipment, so you run to them if you need to. They’ll watch for your exit and direct the cops where to go.”
Several minutes later, we’re a go. We get out, and I stare at the big building. I’m going in the same door we did when we were here Wednesday, heading all the way down that hallway to the poker room. The guys are entering from all different directions and waiting on instructions from Archer. Mason, Bear, Duke, Kingston, and Cannon—all five of them will be in there with me. What I don’t have is assurance that the place will clear out or that there aren’t weapons somewhere. Guards. Something we aren’t expecting or aware of.
Kingston and Cannon each give me a nod before taking off to their designated entrance. Bear and Duke put their arms around me, whispering words of encouragement. And then I’m pulling open the door and leaving them behind for the moment. I creep down the hallway, taking in the same sights and smells as the first time I was here and try not to let them affect me.
It feels a bit like there’s a wild monkey in my chest wielding a sledgehammer on my heart. I ignore it and head directly to the open doorway where light spills from the room. I draw in a breath, straighten my spine, and walk in, hands on my hips. I cock one to the side, my eyebrow arching as I survey the room.
The poker tables are full tonight. The alcohol is obviously flowing, and the room is hazy with cigar smoke. I scan many players and spot Murdock and Derek right away, even though their backs are turned to me. Both are in suits and playing poker. Tristan is nowhere in sight.Here goes nothing.
As I wade through the chaos, one pair of eyes after another turn to see where I’m going. The volume in the room increases, the ripple of excited taIk cascading through the room. I pay them no mind. As I walk past one young girl, I catch her by the shoulder and whisper, “Get out of here. Tell the others.”
She freezes, staring at me with doe eyes, then slowly nods.
As I approach the table where Derek and Murdock play, the dealer looks up. Blinks. Clamps his lips together. Not his business who shows up at these things, I guess.
Putting a hand on both their shoulders, I bend down between them. “I’d say it’s nice to see you, but it really isn’t.”
“What the hell are you doing here, Lennon?” Derek eases his heavy chair back and turns, as does Murdock.
“I was hoping for a word with you. Tristan too.”
The feel of them looking me up and down like a piece of meat for sale makes me want to vomit. I carefully back up a few paces.
Murdock laughs. “Little girl, you have guts, I’ll give you that. My son told me.”
“You mean Hunter, right? Since Mason isn’t yours. Thankfuck.”I let a laugh trip from my mouth.
His brows go up, and his jaw works to the side as he appraises me. His voice comes out a low, ugly rumble. “I like girls with potty mouths.”
“Keywordgirls, right?” I let my gaze drift back to Derek. “You, too, huh?” I stop to look around, stalling for time, and notice some of their patrons slipping out. “Where’s my stepfather, by the way? I’d kinda like to talk to him about what happened to me the last time I was here with him.”
“I’m sad I wasn’t here for that.” Murdock’s eyes twinkle. “Would you like the chance to show me what I missed out on?”
I know this is what I need him to do, but my stomach revolts. “You couldn’t keep up with me. Can’t keep up with any of the girls here, though, can you? That’s why you have to slip a little something into their drinks. Take them to that back room over there.” I nod my head in that direction. The rest of the poker players who were cautiously observing take off. I don’t have a clue if they’re from Bainbridge or simply have deep pockets, but it doesn’t matter. They don’t stay and watch.
“Don’t know what you’re talking about, Lennon,” Derek grunts.
“No? That surprises me, Derek.” I look around, and there’s not a single girl in sight. “Looks like all the underaged girls here got the message about your limp dick.”
He slaps his hand on the table and stands, walking close to me. Like a snake, his hand darts out, and he grasps my arm, his meaty fingers gripping my forearm so tight I wince.
“Hasn’t always been so limp, though, has it?” My brow goes up a fraction.Come on, motherfucker. Take the bait.
Murdock has also gotten up, eyeing the two of us. “Don’t let her goad you, Derek. Seems like she’s good at it.”
