Page 94 of Don't Game Me
The suitcase.
She stared at the clothes spilling out of it, suddenly suspicious. In minutes, she’d removed everything from the boring black carry-on that she’d toted from California. Quan held it for her while they launched their get-Lisi plan. She patted down every item of clothing and then every pocket and even the sides of the suitcase. Nothing.
What did she expect? A bulky listening device? Logically, if Quan wanted to spy on her, putting something in her bag didn’t make sense.
She didn’t know for certain Quan worked against them. Maybe Symphis got his hooks into Quan. At this point, she was about 50 percent sure Lisi wasn’t Symphis.
Jake.
She jogged to the elevator. The cab ride took longer than expected, but when she walked into Ideal’s Steakhouse, she was only two minutes late.
Jake was the only one waiting in the reception area. He wore a suit. She hadn’t seen him in a suit since the wedding. Its cut was perfect, showing off his wide shoulders.
He wasn’t hurt or stressed.
She rushed to get him into a hug.
“Hey, hey. What’s going on, Becca?” The way his low voice said her name made her squeeze him tighter.
“We found something in Lisi’s files. Something scary.”
“I’m not getting cheated out of this moment. It can wait.” His eyes dropped down her tight black dress’s spaghetti straps and low V-neck. A slow smile spread on his face. Hoarsely, he rumbled, “That’s quite a dress.”
Bingo. Right choice. Well, her only choice since she was still living in the same few items she’d taken to the wedding. “Thanks.”
“We’re here. We’re safe. We’re going to do our first official date.”
“So, this is a date?” An uncontrollable smile broke.
Jake hadn’t been this nervous on a date in… Well, maybe not since high school. Things had to go well.
Once settled at a quiet table in the back, out of the main hall and away from all the noise, he said, “I guess we have to do this discussion, or it’ll hang over everything. What’d you find?”
She showed him a picture of Noah’s screen.
Jake frowned. He hated even thinking everything with Symphis wasn’t over, that Becca might continue to be tortured like Tori. He took the phone and clicked it off. “It’s not a threat. We can’t resolve it tonight. They don’t get to ruin this time we have. Okay?”
Her eyes glittered with unshed tears, which killed him.
“They can’t have you back. You’re with me right now.” He took her hand. “How’d it go with the team today?”
A small smile transformed her entire face. “Great group. I think we’ll make the deadline, possibly exceed it. The guys on the team are incredible.”
Thank, God. The movie company had been up his ass for a demo the past few days. “I found most of those guys in odd spots.”
“They realize how lucky they are.” She paused and dropped her gaze. “How lucky I am to have a second chance, especially after…all that.”
“I had a feeling you’d like it.”
“It’s so exciting, and to be doing something relevant. Important. Not gaming for someone else or doing illegal things. And it’s fun.” She looked heavenward. “Thank you.” She lowered her tone. “I have to tell you the guys on the team hated the last team leader. Probably a good loss for you. They told me the guy defected to Apple.”
He nodded and tried to breathe through his nervousness. Did he try to talk to her now? Or did he wait?
They ordered food.
The wine arrived. Jake tasted, nodded approval. Once poured, he held up his glass.
She clinked against his glass and sipped. “Mmm. This is very tasty. You know me and alcohol…” She cast him a naughty smile.
