Page 67 of Don't Game Me
Within yards of catching up to her, a man stepped into his path. Jake halted to avoid a collision and bit back a groan as he concentrated on the intruder.What now?He pasted on a smile and shook hands with a guy he vaguely recognized from undergrad, bumbling through conversation while keeping one eye on Leia.
Time to cut the chitchat. “Listen, I’d love to chat more, but I’ve got to go give a presentation. Give me your card. We can catch up later or something.”
The guy’s hands fidgeted while he produced a card.
Jake snatched the card and jogged off in the direction the Leia had gone. His watch said it was presentation time, or at least time to be in the Green Room preparing. His gut said follow the cosplay Leia. Just to be sure it wasn’t Becca.
This was stupid. He had to let Leia go. Where was Ballroom Four?
No maps or signs anywhere obvious around him. None of his team nearby. Where the hell were they? They never left him alone in this type of crowd. He fingered his cell phone, tempted to text Emma.
Damn it. He could find a ballroom without help.
Logic said they had to advertise the big presentations. He just needed to find a poster. Costumed enthusiasts packed every corner of the convention center. A trio of Spidermans almost steamrolled him.
He headed north, but every few steps someone recognized him. He shouldn’t be out here running the risk of getting mobbed. He asked three people who requested his autograph if they knew the location of the ballroom, but none could help.
Maybe this was the wrong direction. He pivoted and dodged a hulking blue-faced man and a green-skinned woman but crashed into a petite person in costume.
“Sorry,” he mumbled, struggling to keep his balance and hers.
“Jake?”
His heart rate accelerated, and waves of heat crept up his neck as he glanced down at his accidental victim. Becca in the Leia costume stunned him speechless.
ItwasBecca. Here.
Rage built in his brain.
“What’re you doing here?” they asked simultaneously.
“You first.” He hadn’t let go of her arm after he helped her regain balance and had no plans to do so. She wasn’t slipping away, not after the past three days.
“Let’s pretend we didn’t see each other. Forget about it.” She pulled at his grip. “I’ve got to go.”
“No. Don’t you realize the hell you’ve put us through over the past few days? Your brother is losing his mind. You disappeared after stealing financials. We find out Symphis might be involved. That you slept with me because some eGaming shithead told you to. No way in hell are you going off to do whatever insanity you have planned. You’re coming with me. We’re going to talk about this. But I’ve got a presentation”—he glanced at his watch—“in fifteen minutes.”
“Jake, I didn’t…” She glanced around. “It’s not safe for me here or for them to potentially see you with me.”
“You’re in costume. I could barely tell who you were.”
“But you did, which isn’t good.” She cocked her head. “What kind of presentation are you giving?”
“Puff bit on the VR goggles today. And first time reveal of specifics on Tori’s fantasy game we’ll be releasing at the end of the month.”
“That’s so exciting.” He could feel her smiling through the mask, even though he couldn’t see it. Her enthusiasm distracted him. He almost let her go.
She asked, “Why are you out here in the exhibit hall and not getting ready?”
“On my way there.” Wherever the hell Ballroom Four was located.
“Where are your people?” She glanced around. “You’re alone?”
He couldn’t tell if being alone was a good or bad thing to her.
“Emma has to be three steps behind you.” She pulled at his hand again. “I can’t deal with Emma right now. You have to let me leave. I’m doing something to get out and keep all of you safe.”
“You’ll have to take a little detour on your road trip and come to my talk. If you try to escape, I’ll make a big fuss.” He gazed down at her through the mask. “I’m betting you don’t want a fuss.”
