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Still, Owen was right. He'd stood up to Mab Monroe for me in front of all the city's movers and shakers. I did owe him something. What that was, I wasn't sure. But if Owen wanted to come along for the bumpy ride tonight, that was his business. I had no doubt that he'd want to get off afterward. Donovan Caine certainly had.

"Fine," I said. "But follow my lead, and do what I tell you to when I tell you to do it. Understand?"

His smile deepened. "Yes, ma'am. "

Owen and I left the bar. Finn spotted us moving through the crowd and discreetly waved us over. He'd moved from his perch at the slot machine to a shadowy spot where he could put his back against one of the walls that formed the interior dining room. I looked out over the crowd, but I didn't see Bria or Xavier anywhere.

"Where'd they go, Finn?"

Instead of answering me, Finn raised his eyebrows in Owen's direction.

"He's with us for the remainder of the evening," I replied. "Just talk, Finn. We can sort out everything else later. "

By everything, he knew that I meant Owen Grayson and whether we could afford to let the businessman keep breathing if things went bad. Something I was going to have to decide before the night was through. Because while Owen might want to sleep with me, he didn't know what he was getting into tonight. And I didn't know if he could keep his mouth shut about it. But it was a chance I had to take right now.

Finn nodded. "Bria's over by the railing, sipping champagne and looking absolutely stunning. "

Sure enough, my sister was doing exactly what Finn said she was. Since Bria seemed to be okay for the moment, I moved on to the other players in the game.

"Where's Xavier?"

"Xavier said something to Bria a minute ago and left her standing there alone," Finn answered. "The giant walked into the dining room. "

I frowned. "Why would he go in there? Dinner isn't until later. All the action is still out here right now. "

Finn cleared his throat. "I wondered that too-until I noticed that Roslyn's conveniently disappeared as well. She's gone, Gin. "

My head snapped around to the blackjack table where the vampire had been. I'd been so busy with Mab Monroe and then Owen Grayson that I hadn't kept track of Roslyn. Her chair was empty. Xavier's sudden appearance started to make a little more sense to me.

"Roslyn," I muttered. "She must have told Xavier that she was coming here tonight with Elliot Slater. "

"And Xavier couldn't stand that and came to rescue her," Finn finished. "With or without her knowledge?"

"Doesn't matter," I muttered. "Because if Slater sees them together, they're both as good as dead. "

Owen stood still and silent by my side, listening to everything Finn and I said. The businessman didn't say anything, didn't interrupt and ask what the hell was going on, or who we were talking about. He just listened and watched the crowd around us. Most people didn't know enough to keep quiet. My respect for Owen ratcheted up a few more notches.

"What do you want to do, Gin?" Finn asked in a soft voice.

I stood there thinking, my eyes scanning over the crowd again, this time looking for three very specific people. I spotted them almost instantly.

Mab Monroe, Elliot Slater, and Jonah McAllister had moved to the right side of the riverboat and were deep in discussion about something. Slater's giant guards stood close to them, focused on their boss, ready to jump when he gave the order. My gaze cut back to Roslyn's empty chair at the blackjack table. It would only be a matter of time before Slater realized that she was missing and started looking for her. Only one thing to do.

I blew out a breath. "Finn, you stay out here and keep an eye on Bria. Call me if it looks like she's going to get herself into trouble. Owen and I will find Roslyn and Xavier and get them off this boat. "

Finn stayed where he was against the wall. I jerked my head at Owen.

"Come on," I said. "They've got to be inside somewhere. "

He nodded and followed me through the open doors into the dining room. I stalked past the rows of tables. A few people had drifted inside to sit down, but none of them were Roslyn or Xavier, so I walked on. Owen moved quickly and quietly behind me. He didn't ask questions or offer any input. He just followed me.

I thought about my earlier tour of the riverboat this evening. Where would I go if I wanted to have a quiet meeting away from the crowd? Only one spot I'd seen this evening had been conducive to lovers.

"Come on," I said. "I know where they are. "

Owen nodded, and we walked on. I went thr

ough another door, stepping out into the walkway that lined the back side of the riverboat. My stiletto heels slammed against the wood. The time for being quiet was over. Because if I didn't reach Roslyn and Xavier before Elliot Slater did, they wouldn't be getting off this boat alive.

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