Page 40 of Don't Game Me
A line etched between Tori’s brows. Tori snagged her elbow and towed her to a dark, quiet side of the banquet room. “How long?”
“I can’t talk about this.” Becca pulled her arm free.
“Of course, you can’t. They’re holding something over you. Something likely so bad you’d keep all this from everyone even though the Stadium killed Kaleb. And they’ve targeted your other brother’s company. How long have you been in?”
“I’m almost out. I swear. Drop it. Forget we even talked about this and let it be.”
Tori’s expression hardened. “You’re never out. Not until the entire organization is stopped. Don’t you get that?”
“You got out.”
“Like I said before, the asshole reminds me from time to time that he can still hurt us. He does little things, psychotic things to fuck with our heads.” She paused. Her face closed up. “They’re texting you while here…what are they up to?”
Poker face. Show nothing.“Reminding me I got these three days off, but I have to be back and play Sunday night. They dock me money for any night I miss in the Stadium. You have to believe me when I say I am almost out.”
“Becca, if you hurt Noah or his company…”
“He’s my brother. I swear on my soul I’ll never hurt him.”
“How’s it going, ladies?” asked a male voice.
They turned to face a handsome thirty-something Asian in a dark denim jacket and gray jeans.
He stuck out his hand to Becca. “It’s Quan. Remember, we met last year? I used to play with Tori on the team.” As one of the three in the internationally ranked Dynasty gaming team back when Tori was playing in legitimate competitions six months ago he knew as much about gaming and the Stadium as she and Tori, not that Quan ever set a competitive foot inside. He worked on a task force against illegal gaming for the NSA. Or maybe it was the FBI. She couldn’t remember.
“You helped Tori out of all that mess earlier this year.” She glanced to Tori, who remained pale. Maybe Quan could help her.
“What are you two gossiping about over here?” His easy smile teased an answering grin out of her.
“Surviving life. You been playing recently?” Tori asked.
“Only for fun. We’re in the market for a third on the Dynasty since Tori quit. We haven’t found the right person, so no big competitions for us. We’re doing tryouts in a few weeks and thinking of going to four on the team. You want to try out, Becca? Heard you were pretty good.”
Panic spread through her. “I don’t play. I definitely don’t want to compete.”
“Any new news on the hunt for Symphis?” Tori asked.
Quan glanced around and lowered his voice to a hushed whisper. “This is between us. Newest is we think he might be a she.”
Tori’s eyebrows popped up.
“Really?” Becca asked. Probably should’ve kept her mouth shut.
Quan cocked his head and subjected her to a penetrating stare. “Everything okay on the West Coast?”
She swallowed hard, worried she’d given too much away. “Yep. Everything’s great.”
His dark brown eyes softened. “We should get together sometime. Talk over coffee or something.”
“You asking me out?” His body language didn’t indicate sexual interest.
He reached into his jacket and drew out a card with the NSA logo across the front and pressed it into her hand. “Call me if you want.” He nodded to Tori. “Beautiful event. Thanks for inviting me.”
Becca chewed on her lower lip.
Quan granted her what came off as a reassuring smile before leaving, but she felt chilled to her bones.
“He might be able to help,” Tori whispered.
