“All right then. Lead the way.”

Just like Alice, I follow my white rabbit down the hole into the shadowy unknown of our dark Wonderland.

OceanofPDF.com

13

OceanofPDF.com

BAIT

OceanofPDF.com

BLAKELY

At night, the sounds of the city are distanced. Every blaring horn, screeching brake, and enraged shout feel muffled by a gauzy web that blankets the air, a sort of detached veil for the people who walk the streets.

It’s a necessary survival skill to distance yourself from the madness. You can’t cower at every bump in the night.

And tonight, I’m the boogeyman.

Black hoodie pulled down to shield my face, I stand at the corner of a dive bar as I wait for my mark. Since most of the pressure is on Alex to perform later, I’m taking on Maybelline Mayberry, our damsel in distress.

We had this whole super covert plan worked out where Alex would spill a drink on her handbag, and I’d help hold her things in the lady’s room… But just like most of Alex’s theories, it became too convoluted.

When devising a scheme of any measure, it’s best to keep it simple. Fewer variables, less of a chance something will go wrong. That’s one thing Alex and I agree on. Why go all cloak and dagger when a simple mugging will get the job done?

A blonde wearing a little black dress saunters up smoking a cigarette. If I didn’t recognize her from the picture on the escort site, I’d still know she was here for Ericson. She’s just his type.

In the end, you have to take what you want—and what I want is in her purse.

A few feet away from the escort, Alex leans against the building, his head bowed as he stares at his phone. He looks up at her, then gives me a nod. I pull the knit mask up to cover the bottom half of my face. When we’re discussing this later, I’ll tell Alex how very secret agent he is in this moment. He’ll like that.

As the blonde taps out the cigarette with the toe of her four-inch pump, I start in her direction. Moving at a swift pace, I keep my head cast down and my eyes locked on her handbag. Ironically, just a couple weeks ago, the roles in this scenario were reversed when a guy attempted to mug me. Now here I am, the thief.

I hope Maybelline isn’t a fighter.

The event happens fast. I snatch the strap of her purse and take off, my feet pounding the pavement. She yelps and frantically announces that her bag has been stolen. Alex comes to her rescue. I hear him behind me, gaining ground.

I dodge a group of tourists and dip around the building to enter the alley, my breath sawing my lungs. I don’t wait for Alex to catch up; I open Maybelline’s bag and dig out her phone.

I snap the purple case off in preparation and have it ready when Alex comes around the corner. I hold it up. “Here. Hurry.”

“Shit.” Alex grabs his side. “Should’ve had a few practice runs. My heart is about to explode.”

Impatience bites my nerves. “That’s what you get for sitting at a lab desk all day. Give me the device.”

“I got it.” Alex unwraps the thin device that will turn Maybelline’s phone into a hot mic. Using the plastic bag to handle the device so he won’t leave fingerprints, he lays it on the back of the phone and snaps the case into place. “Test the Bluetooth connection.”

Earpiece already in place, I press the button to turn it on. We synced the device before we left his apartment.

He whispers near the phone: “Your eyes are beautiful.”

A smile slides across my face. “But not the rest of me?”

He huffs a derisive laugh. “I need to get this back to our damsel.”

“Look. You get to be her hero, after all.” I wink at him. “Now go return her—” I read the label on the front of the bag “—knockoff Gucci so you can reap the reward.”

Alex is not amused as he mutters a curse under his breath, but I know he’s secretly elated. This is why he’s here, to inject excitement into his dull life.

He drops the phone into the handbag and turns to go, but hesitates, facing me once more.

I tilt my head, waiting for him to say whatever’s on his mind. “What is it?” When he remains quiet, I snap, “Alex, go.”

“I’ll see you soon, Blakely.” That boyish smile touches his eyes, then he’s gone.

Adjusting the earpiece, I test the connection as I peek around the corner to watch Alex and the escort’s interaction. Their exchange is predictable. She wraps her arms around him, as if he just saved her from a burning building instead of returning her cheap bag.

Alex is the epitome of a Boy Scout. Denying any offer of reward—that Maybelline makes very apparent is in the currency of flesh—and accepts her offer to share a ride to The Plaza together.

“What an amazing coincidence that we’re both attending the same function,” Alex tells her, his voice leveled up an octave, but she doesn’t seem to notice.

I snicker at his horrible acting. “Amateur.”

As they leave together in a Town Car, I listen to their stilted conversation. It was a little risky to have Alex make himself known to Ericson’s escort before meeting at the attic. I mean, what are the chances, right? But it was a risk we had to take, and one that will pay off—literally—as I set my phone to record off the earpiece.

The hardest aspect of the plan was the preparation. Now, with all parts in place, all we need to do is play it cool and wait. I check the time on my phone, then head to my designated stalking post.

I remember the first day I sat in this little coffee shop as I stalked my newest prospect. There was nothing particularly special about Ericson or Lenora’s situation. Looking back, nothing all that interesting stands out. I just recall, as I sipped my cappuccino, having a strong sense that I should turn down the job.

Lenora had been desperate. I do remember that. The way she stank of despair and misery, and how the whole situation with her made me uncomfortable. It was easier to take her on then turn her away.

I’m not typically sentimental, but as I sit here, waiting for my cappuccino, I can’t help feeling that, had I not taken on Lenora’s plight, I never would’ve met Alex.

And he was worth meeting.

The barista sets a white cup and saucer down on my table, and I take a sip of coffee as I listen to Alex awkwardly introduce himself to Ericson’s acquaintances in the penthouse.

Maybelline must be the silent type, as she hasn’t said a word to anyone since they entered the building. Maybe that’s what Ericson requested this time—a completely subservient mouse of a woman to take his abuse.

Because that’s the plan. Record Ericson Daverns annihilating a woman and send it to all his elite clients to expose him. Womanizing is an extremely hot button in the corporate world today. And, as a bonus, any shady dealings that happen to go down tonight will also be broadcast.

After his clients drop him, Brewster will most likely want to shut down the leak—shut down Ericson. I can’t be responsible for what happens next. Ericson will get whatever just punishment Brewster and his cronies see fit to deliver, and Lenora will have her revenge.

A ruined husband she can walk away from.

A ruined businessman she can divorce and take half from.

It’s not as creative as most of my revenge schemes, but then, Ericson is a special breed of monster. Only a directness meant to obliterate will deliver retribution.

I take a big gulp of cappuccino, and dead silence rings in my ear as the mic cuts out in Maybelline’s phone and I lose connection.

“Dammit.” I push the button to reconnect and wait.