Wolfe reappears, his expression warm and inviting once more. “Can I get you anything else?”
I shake my head, lifting my glass to swallow the remaining drops of drink. I still, nodding toward the untouched tumbler to my right. “He’s not coming back.”
“His loss.” Wolfe shoots me a commiserative, charming grin before fisting the hundred and whisking Lev’s vodka away.
I finish my drink. Slip my coat on and stand. Spin, nearly colliding with Jason.
“You’re leaving?” he asks, lips puckering into an exaggerated pout to display his disappointment. Not an especially attractive expression on an adult nearing forty.Man-childcomes to mind.
“Early morning,” I say. “Enjoy the bachelor party.”
“Wait.” He grabs my arm as I take a step forward.
I stiffen, not relaxing until he drops his hand, seeming appeased I’ll stay in place.
“Can I at least get your number?”
“That’s not a good idea.” I slide my hands into my pockets and start walking.
“You know where to find me!” Jason calls after me.
I barely hear. I’m distracted, running my pointer finger along the straight edge of the plastic key card Lev slipped in my pocket.
THE WAITING GAME
Idon’t wait. I thrive around action and efficiency, not the languid laziness that accompanies inactivity. No one succeeds standing still; plus, it’s harder to hit a moving target.
Yet I’m reclined in a leather armchair by the windows, impatiently anticipating the door opening.
Carina is intelligent. She’s aware it’s safer for her and simpler for me if we have no blatant association with each other. She’ll remain at the bar for a bit so it’s not evident she is following me upstairs. She might also be entertaining that ancientmudak,who surely returned to her side as soon as I left it.
My phone buzzes on the television stand. I straighten, check the caller, swear, then answer with a terse, “What?”
“We caught a rat, boss,” Adrian says cheerfully. “A chatty one. Says O’Brien is skimming fifteen off the top and that he has more he’ll only tell you.”
I curse again. “Bring him to the warehouse. I’ll be there in a few hours.”
“You got it.”
I end the call, pinch the bridge of my nose, and release a long exhale. Then walk over to the mini fridge, grabbing a bottle ofvodka out and emptying it into a glass before walking over to the windows. The city lights are brilliant, illuminating the white flurries drifting down from the dark sky.
I’ve been to Chicago many times, but I’ve never explored most of it. I slither through the shadows like a snake, haunt the city’s most depraved corners like a ghoul, spread fear and collect a commission from its inferior criminals. The taste of copper still lingers in the back of my throat from hours of enforcing authority.
I swallow a large sip of vodka, savoring the chilled burn as it slides down my esophagus. I prefer fair fights, and today was a series of punishments. They serve a purpose, but that doesn’t make it any more pleasant.
The lock beeps. I spin to face the door, poised to strike, aware this hotel doesn’t have the same level of security as my usual residences. Coming here is careless. Ironically, it would be more dangerous to bring Carina to a safe house.
“Finally,” I drawl when she saunters in.
It’s been fourteen minutes. Fourteen minutes longer than I would have waited for anyone else.
Carina glances around the suite, taking in the luxurious furnishings while I study her. After scanning the room, she focuses on my hands. “Where’s your gun?”
I scowl at her. “Not funny.” The incident she’s referring to took ten years off my life. “Get undressed.”
In my current mood, I’ll probably rip that dress. I spent all day—all week and also the past month—looking forward to tonight, and I’m accustomed to having what I want when I want it.
She plays with the belt of her wool coat. Not tugging, simply teasing. “We have all night, you know.”
