CHAPTER 21
LILI
“This is a really bad idea.”
Lark ignored me and nudged me forward. “No, it’s an excellent idea. The men don’t get to decide to keep us tucked up at home like good little girls. We can help, and I know that it’s important for you to help get your friend back.”
She grabbed my hand and towed me forward.
“I made Nash let me help him when I wanted to take down Snyder. I needed to do that, for my sister.”
We were walking across the grand lobby of the Aurora Casino. The lobby had a glass roof, and the space was filled with enormous chandeliers that refracted the light. I knew the casino was also known for the stunning glass roof over its main casino.
I trotted along behind Lark. For such a small woman, she was surprisingly strong. I guess being an assassin kept you fit.
I was wearing another little dress. This one was green and glittery. Lark and Georgie were in dresses too—a long, black dress with two wicked slits up to mid-thigh for Lark, and a classy silver dress with a cowl neck for Georgie.
The women had come to stay with me, but then sprung their plan on me.
We were going to dress up and high tail it to the Aurora Casino to assist the men.
I was pretty sure Cole was going to lose his mind.
“Look, Cole said he’d have to split his focus if I was there?—”
Lark pulled me into an elevator. When someone else tried to get in, she waved them off. “Sorry, this one’s taken.” She turned to the control panel, blocked the camera with her body, and pulled a small device out. “The private floor needs a keycard. Give me a second.” The device blinked and made a small humming sound. Then, the panel beeped and the elevator started upward. “Lili, don’t worry. Cole has more than enough focus to go around. That man is a legend at staying on the hunt.”
I swallowed. “I do want to help, and when they find Ava-Jane, she’ll need me. But Cole was worried I wouldn’t be safe.”
Georgie nodded. “But he also said this party is in a public place, with lots of guests. They can’t take Goodyear down, but he can’t do anything to them, or us, either.”
“True.”
The elevator slowed and spilled us out in a corridor with wildly colored carpet and dark walls. There were more chandeliers in modern, abstract shapes. Two suited guards stood, hands crossed in front of them, guarding a door.
“Allow me.” Lark sauntered forward. She put some swing in her hips and I saw both guards take notice.
She just oozed confidence. I was a little jealous.
“Hi, we’re a little late for the party.” She fluffed her dark hair. “I hope we haven’t missed all the fun.”
One guard frowned. “I didn’t know more guests were coming.”
“We got held up.” Lark smiled a sultry smile at the other guard, whose gaze dropped to her cleavage.
“I bet.” He glanced at his friend. “I’m sure it’s fine for these ladies to join the party.”
The stricter guard’s frown deepened, until Lark ran a fingernail down the center of his shirt. “Maybe I’ll catch you around later.”
His frown softened. “All right. Go on in.”
Then, we were inside.
There was a decent crowd. People were drinking and chatting. There were several poker tables set up, several guests trying their luck, and servers with trays of food weaved through the guests. I scanned around, my gaze stopping on every blonde woman.
I didn’t see Ava-Jane. My heart did a weird squeeze.Please let her still be here.
Georgie squeezed my arm. “Breathe, Lili.”
