Page 21 of F*ck Steal Kill

Phantasm: I’ll keep digging, but for now, I’d stick to F and S. No more K for the time being.

Lacey: Ah, man. I had so many plans for the reverse pigs-in-a-blanket.

Phantasm: The amount of pain I feel right now is immense. You scare me, Lacey.

Lacey: That’s the sweetest thing anybody has ever said to me.

Holland: We’ll lie low. Thanks for the heads up.

Phantasm: You know I have your back, girls. Be safe.

I was just about to open a chat with Joy and Lacey when another male’s voice entered the room, surprising me. I leaned against the door, the acoustics working to my advantage as it carried their voices.

“There you two are. What’s the update on our trap for our killer? Any leads on the Savages?” a deep and commanding voice boomed.

I could hear Quentin and Max shushing the owner, making me even more curious about what was happening. What did he mean about a trap? Why would they be looking for a killer? Just who were these guys? And the Savages?

That was the third time I’d heard that name in twelve hours. That couldn’t be a coincidence.

Flushing the toilet, I pretended I hadn’t heard anything as I stepped into the saloon, ready to play the role of drunk girl.

“Hey, sorry, I think the beer went to my head more than I realized,” I slurred, stumbling as I walked to the bed. I swayed, looking up to clock the third man with the deep voice, and instantly froze in his pale blue gaze.

“It’s you,” he said, sounding breathless.

I glanced around the room; something wasn’t adding up. Three guys who had nothing in common yet had captured my attention on three separate occasions. Something was amiss here, and that didn’t happen to me. Add in the conversation I wasn’t meant to overhear, and it added up to one outcome. I’d been played.

The feeling of trust and safety vanished, and I hardened myself, knowing what I had to do next.

“Do I know you?” I asked, blinking. Turning my head, I looked at Max, knowing if I looked at Quentin, he’d see right through me. I didn’t know how I knew he could, just that he would.

“I think I better go. Rain check?” I asked, already backing to the door.

No one said anything, so I took that as my chance to escape. Waving, I hurried out into the hall, my heart bottoming out with each step I took away from them, ignoring the lone tear slipping down my face.

CHAPTER 8

THE SAVAGES

I watched as the blonde girl who'd been with two of the Shadows scampered down the hall, away from their room. I didn’t know if she was part of this or an innocent bystander, but I’d keep an eye on her. She could be the opening I’d been waiting for.

She had managed to get between two of the smartest and deadliest agents in the game. Two men I’d been following for a while, waiting for the perfect moment to ruin their lives.

My phone vibrated, and I knew who it was without looking. “Boss.”

“Updates?” he asked, not offering any pleasantries. The Viper didn’t need to.

“I think so. One in the shape of a blonde bombshell.”

“Excellent. Keep me posted. I’m ready to unveil my new venture, and I don’t need any Shadows lurking around.”

“Understood.”

He hung up without saying goodbye. Again, why would he? He was the boss, and I was just the gun.

I watched the blonde bombshell hurry out of the Inn from my perch and followed out of the Inn. I trailed behind her for a few blocks, having to duck and loop back a few times when she appeared to sense me. She hadn’t made a direct path to anywhere, leading me to believe she was drunk and lost… or smarter than I’d initially assumed.

She stepped into the all-night diner, meeting two other beautiful women inside. I followed her in, sat at the counter, and ordered a black coffee and pie, smiling to myself as I ate.

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