by Kelly Wood
“What are you going to do?” I asked.
“Men can’t refuse a damsel in distress.” Gracie grinned at me. I smiled back. I did like this woman. “Ready?”
I nodded yes. Gracie opened the door and staggered out of the room. I looked at my watch to check the time. I counted to one hundred and looked again. Thirty seconds had passed. I counted again. Slower this time before looking at the time. Two minutes! Yay!
I eased the door open and peeked out. Gracie stood at the elevators with both of the guards, one on each side of her holding an arm. Gracie looked frail and weak, slouching slightly. Whenever a guard started to look behind them at the hallway, she faked a faint, drawing their attention back to her. I smiled my approval and moved away from them as quickly as I could. I found the door to the stairwell and opened it. I controlled the swing, closing it with barely a sound.
Now that I was free. I ran down the flights until I reached Jax’s floor. I sucked air into my lungs and tried to control my breathing. This time, I checked the hallway before entering it. It was clear.
I moved down the hall and tapped on Jax’s door quietly. Jax flung it open and I disappeared inside. I leaned against the door after it closed, sliding down until my butt hit the floor.
“Where have you been?” Jax asked.
Her outfit even took my breath away. Edwards wasn’t going to know what hit him. Jeans graced Jax’s legs, so tight I couldn’t breathe even just looking at them. The neckline on her shirt plunged down to her belly button. The rest of the material swayed with her movements. Hot red heels finished off the look.
“Wow,” I said.
“Tell me about it,” Liam said. He hefted the backpack onto his shoulder. The waist straps flapped at his sides. “Before we go anywhere, you need to answer one question.”
I eyed him with hesitation. “What?”
“Why won’t Frank and Michael call the police?” Liam asked.
There was no reason to hide it any longer so I just laid it on the line. “They are the heads of the two largest mob families in Las Vegas.”
The silence stretched out between us as I waited for his response. I prepared myself for a blow-up and a fight for Liam to continue to help me. Instead, I got a deep sigh and only one comment.
“How do you get yourself into these things?” Liam pinched the bridge of his nose between his thumb and finger and shook his head. “Let’s move on. Who is she flirting with?”
“Edwards.”
“The computer guy?” Liam asked.
“Exactly. We need him to hack into... something. I don’t know what exactly. But we need to see if Gray got on any flights. We know he has his passport for a reason.”
“That’s good.” Liam snapped his fingers. “Plus, if Gray’s ticket was purchased with another, we’ll have Guy’s alias.”
“You’re right. I didn’t think of that,” I said. I smiled at my decision to bring Liam. He was obviously going to make a good addition to the team.
“How do you know this guy, this Edwards, can hack into a secure system?” Jax asked.
“You’ll see. Come on.” I pointed down to her feet. “But please tell me you brought another pair of shoes for later? Those aren’t practical for running.”
“Let’s go,” Jax said. I stood up and opened the door. The coast was clear. Frank probably left Jax’s door unattended since she was supposed to be in my room with me. I waved them on as we headed for the elevator.
“Edwards looks like he lives in his mom’s basement and hasn’t ever seen a girl naked,” I said.
“That doesn’t make him a hacker,” Liam said. He pushed the down button for the elevators.
“He has a huge computer set-up. It’s amazing. Even to my uninformed eyes,” I said in response.
“Regan, he could be a gamer. Or, here’s an idea, maybe he could just be doing his job on them.” Jax looked me up and down. She pulled a scarf out of the bag and her eye glasses. “Put these on.”
“Why?” I asked. Jax pushed my head down and wrapped the scarf around my hair, knotting it behind my neck. She slipped the glasses over my nose. “You look striking with that haircut. Everyone notices you now.”
I looked at myself in the reflection of the elevator doors. I looked like I was about to clean a toilet. Jax was right. No one would remember me. The elevator doors opened and we stepped inside. Due to the late hour, we were alone.
“Do you remember how to get to the room?” I asked Liam.
“Yes, but we used a keycard last time.” I fished around in my pocket and pulled out the one I had swiped earlier. Liam shook his head at me.
“Do I want to know how you got this?”
“Probably not.”
Chapter Nine
Regan Harris
Magari Hotel and Casino
Las Vegas Nevada
Liam led us through the winding back halls. He walked with purpose, like we were supposed to be there. I was lost after the first two turns. This place was a maze a rat couldn’t find his way out of. I jumped and looked down. No rats.
“Here it is.” Liam stopped walking and pointed to the door. “But how are we going to get through the security room to Edwards’s office? I think they’ll notice us.”
“There was another door in his office. Did you notice it?” Liam nodded yes. I thought out loud as I walked. “Okay. We walked straight through the security room to the office, right?”
“Yes,” Liam agreed. I dragged my hand along the wall. The hallway ended at a T-junction. I made a left and kept walking. Liam and Jax followed behind me.
“This should be the back wall to security. At some point, Edwards’s office starts.” I followed the hallway. After fifty feet or so, the hallway made another left. I turned and continued down searching for the doorway that should be there but wasn’t.
“Huh. We walked straight through into his office and directly across was another door. It should be here.”
“It is.” Liam pointed down.
I had been looking for a regular door. This door blended in with the wall. The key card entry slot, just below my waist, was the only visible clue a doorway existed. Once I looked closer, I could see the faint outline of the door but there wasn’t a handle.
“Okay, Jax. You’re up.” I fluffed her hair while she smacked her lips together, plumping them. “Let’s roll. Liam, wait here.”
I inserted the card and a light flashed green. Jax threw the door open and sashayed in. I followed behind her, leaving our bags with Liam in the hallway.
Edwards jumped up from his chair. He gulped after taking one look at Jax. She walked around the desk and sat on the edge. Jax pushed on Edwards’s shoulder, urging him back into his seat. She lifted her legs and placed her feet on the arms of the chair, blocking him in.
I closed the door and prepared myself for the show. I covered my mouth to hide my smirk. Watching Jax in action was always a good time. Edwards was about to be bowled over.
Jax ran one finger along his jaw. Sweat beaded on his forehead.
“Happy birthday.” Jax used her best Marilyn Monroe voice.
“It’s... it’s, uh, not my birthday.” Edwards stuttered out the words.
Jax leaned forward to whisper in his ear. “Let’s pretend.” She licked his earlobe.
Edwards passed out.
“Crap,” I said.
Jax glanced over her shoulder at me and then back to Edwards. She lightly slapped his cheek. He moaned. His eyes fluttered open. He jerked awake completely when he saw Jax again. Jax wrapped her hands in his shirt to keep him from sliding the chair away from her.
“Let’s take this a little slower,” Jax said. She stood up and walked slowly around his chair. One finger trailing along his shoulder and neck as she moved. She stopped behind him and ran her fingers into his hair, massaging his scalp. His eyes closed as he relaxed. She rubbed his scalp more before moving down to his shoulders.
“Why don’t we talk for a while,” Jax said. “Ease in.” She continu
ed her ministrations on his neck and shoulders. Edwards was putty in her hands. As she manipulated him, he forgot to question why we were there. Jax was in control. She was in her domain. Her favorite times in life were when men were at her disposal.
Of course, Liam was the exception to that rule. He gave as good as he got. And she loved him even more for it.
“You must be really important,” Jax said.
“Um, I guess. Why?” Edwards kept his eyes closed, still lost in Jax’s magic.
“Why else would you need all of this equipment?” Jax rubbed harder. Edwards’s head bobbed with each movement. “I mean, I bet you could hack anything.” Sigh. “That’s so sexy.”
“You think hackers are sexy?” Edwards asked. I rolled my eyes.
“Oh, yeah. Brains over brawn have always turned me on. I would love to watch it sometime.”
“Watch? Watch what?” Edwards gulped again.
“Someone hack. I don’t even know what that really means. What a strange word, hmm?” I motioned for Jax to tone it down a little bit.
“Well, maybe I could show you something? Something small. Like getting into someone’s Facebook account and leaving a fake message?” Edwards glanced up at Jax. Hope filled his face. He wanted to impress her.
“You mean ‘post’? You’re cute.”
“What would you like to see?” Edwards asked.
“Maybe you could help me with a problem I’m having?” Jax suggested.
“Sure!” Edwards sat up and propped his hands over the keyboard. “What’s the problem?”
“I just can’t remember where my friend said he was going. Could you see what flight his name is on?”
“That’s easy.” Edwards’s fingers flew across the keyboard as he typed. I held myself back from flying across the room to see over his shoulder. I clenched my fists and held my breath. “I’m ready. What’s the name?”
“Grayden Thomas.” I said the name without thinking. Edwards stopped typing and focused his attention on me. “Uh, hi.” I gave a small wave.
He pushed himself back from the desk. “What’s going on here?”
I rushed toward him. “Please don’t freak out. Please. He’s my husband and I need help.”
“He’s the one who was kidnapped?”
“Yes. I was down here earlier. I just didn’t know what to do. I’m sorry we tricked you. But, I’m desperate. Please help.” I clasped my hands together and begged him.
“I’m not supposed to do this.”
“I know. But you were willing a moment ago. How would you feel if your wife were missing? Wouldn’t you do anything you could to find her?” I asked.
Edwards looked over his shoulder at Jax. She’d taken a step back from him once I’d started talking. “I don’t have a wife.” He spoke to Jax, not me.
Jax smiled at him and pinched his chin. “You will one day, handsome. You’re really sweet. I can tell.”
I watched as the back of his neck turned red in a blush.
“Can you help us? Will you help us?” Jax asked. Edwards nodded. He turned back to his computer and set to work. It only took him a minute to get what we needed.
“Looks like he was booked on three flights. Paris, London and New York City.”
I deflated. All large cities. There was no way I’d find him in any of them.
Chapter Ten
Regan Harris
Magari Casino and Hotel, Security Office
Las Vegas, Nevada
“Wait.” Edwards held up a finger, stopping my negative reaction. “It looks he didn’t board any of the flights.”
“What?” I asked.
“He booked the flights but didn’t board any of them. They’ve all left already. Hours ago. He wasn’t on any of them.”
“Were the tickets purchased alone or with another traveler? Can you tell that?” Jax asked.
I sighed in relief that her brain was still functioning while mine had stopped.
“All single tickets. No travel companions.” Edwards’s fingers tapped away at the keyboard. The soft clacking of the keys was hypnotic.
“Do you think my dad was right? Could it all have been a ruse?” I asked Jax.
“Maybe. Maybe Gray just thought they were leaving Vegas.”
“I don’t even know where to begin to look here,” I said. I pressed my hands into my eyes to stop the tears that wanted to spring out.
“You’re looking for the bald guy, right? The one from the footage earlier.”
“Yes.” Sheesh, man. Pay attention already. I mentally checked myself.
“I can tell you where he went.” Edwards said the words with such casualness that I wanted to wrap my hands around his neck and shake.
“Where? How?” I practically climbed across the desk to get to him. I grabbed his shirt and shook him. “Tell me!”
“Calm down, lady. After you left with Mr. Donato, I used facial recognition software to track any movements he’d made throughout the hotel.” Edwards snapped his fingers. “Hey, did you know he was the guy that destroyed our pool?”
“I did know that. Where did he go?” I asked as calmly as I could.
“He’s been staying here for the last week. Once I knew what to look for, it was easy. He tampered with almost every store. Even the hair salon—”
“—I know that—” I touched the scarf covering my short hair. I felt a moment of sadness at losing my long locks.
“—anyway, that’s all old stuff. You want the new stuff. Well, the newer stuff. It’s all old now.” Edwards chuckled and I wanted to throttle him. “They left through the front door. It was busy that time of night, but I found them. They got into a cab and headed north.”
“Can we track the cab?” I monitored my voice even though I wanted to yell my question.
Edwards scrunched his face up. “Already done. They got out at the end of the strip. I lost them when they turned down an alley.”
I smacked my head on the desk as I let it fall. I didn’t even feel the impact. Edwards kept talking, ignoring the drama playing out in front of him.
“You were asking about flights. I only checked the commercial airlines. He could’ve taken a private flight. There is an airport north of the strip.”
“Regan, are you listening? There’s another airport,” Jax said. She smacked the back of my head. I lifted it off the desk and looked at her. “Pay attention.” She pointed to the screen.
“What are you looking at?” I laid completely over the desk to see the screen. I held onto the edge and pulled myself farther.
“I thought this would be faster. I’m using the facial recognition software on the video feeds from the airport. I’ll start looking at the time they got out of the cab. It’s mostly private jets, flying in and out from everywhere. Movie stars, big wigs, that sort of thing.” The video moved quickly, Edwards fast forwarded through it while we watched. People entered and exited. Their bodies moving in a jerky fashion on the screen.
Edwards pointed to the screen. “Look! There they are!” He slowed down the video to real time.
Gray and Guy entered the lobby through the main doors. Gray clutched his side. He walked next to Guy, clearly not in immediate danger. Gray never looked at the camera or tried to send a message. I watched every move he made, my face only inches from the screen. They passed by and walked toward the camera. We could clearly see their faces. Gray said something to Guy and pointed toward the corner before both of them moved in that direction.
“What’s over there?” I asked.
Edwards waved his hand at me. The monitor switched camera views. Guy and Gray were walking away from the camera now and into the men’s room. A few minutes later they emerged and walked outside toward the awaiting planes.
“Can you see which one they got on?” Jax asked before I had the chance. She had her hands on Edwards’s shoulders again, massaging away while he worked.
“Wait. Wait.” Edwards drew out the words. “One minute. Here you are. Tail number N-108T. Flight plan f
rom here to...” Edwards read off the screen to us. Jax grabbed a pen and paper off his desk. She scribbled as he spoke. “Victoria, Texas.”
“Where the hell is that?” I asked.
“Texas.”
“Thanks, Jax. What’s in Victoria, Texas?” I asked to myself. Edwards answered me.
“Nothing. It looks like they refueled and took off again.”
“To where?” Jax asked.
“Let’s see—” A beeping alarm interrupted him from his work. Panic filled his eyes. “You have to get out! Now!”
“Why? We need to know where they went!” I screamed.
“I’ve done enough. Mr. Donato is going to walk through that door in” —Edwards looked at the screens behind me— “ninety seconds. You have to leave.”
I scrambled up and around the desk. I hugged Edwards and told him thank you. I really did appreciate the information he gave us. I let go and headed for the secret door and back to Liam. Hopefully he was still waiting for us and hadn’t been waylaid by other security guards.
“Jax, come on,” I urged her.
Jax pulled Edwards out of his chair to face her. “What’s your name?” she asked.
“Edwards.”
“Your first name?”
“Carl.”
“Thanks, Carl. Really.” Jax leaned forward and planted a kiss on his lips. Edwards’s hands shook at his sides. Jax ended the kiss and patted his cheek with her hand. I pulled on her arm to get her moving. The last thing we needed was for Edwards, Carl, to follow her out like a lovesick puppy.
“Wait! Take this.” Carl grabbed a business card off his desk and handed it to Jax. “My cell number is on the back. In case you need any more help.”
“Thanks, Carl,” Jax said.
“Are you going to tell Frank where Gray went?” I asked.
Guilt flashed on his face. “I have to.”
“I know. It’s okay. Thank you for helping us,” I said. “Sorry we tricked you.”
Carl smiled in return. “I won’t tell him I told you, though.”
I nodded my appreciation and pulled open the door. Liam jumped at our sudden appearance. Jax and I picked up our bags. Liam headed back the way we came.
