Page 99 of Wild Escape

Daphne answered, “Are you ready to handle this like reasonable adults?”

“I’m going to send you a wallet address. Just send the crypto. We never have to meet or see each other again,” Dane said.

“No crypto. Cash.”

“You got paid $30 million in cash?”

“No, I got paid $15 million in cash because the dagger is stolen.”

“That’s fucking bullshit.”

“That’s the reality of the current marketplace. Split three ways is $5 mil a piece. Take it or leave it.”

After a long beat, Dane sighed. “Where’s the drop?”

“I’ll call you at midnight and give you a location.”

“No. Call Rick. I’m trashing this phone.”

“Done.” Daphne ended the call and smiled. “What do you think? I made him jump through hoops. Gave him a dose of disappointment. He’s too pissed off to think this is a trap.”

I had to give credit where credit was due. “You might be good at this kind of thing.”

With a cocky grin and a proud posture, she said, “I’m not good at this. I’m great at this.”

She gave me back the phone, and I slipped it into my pocket.

We stepped inside the auditorium and stood in the back while the professor gave a lecture from the podium. It was a relatively small class—30 or 40 people tops. Attendance at this time of the morning was scarce.

I spotted Lauren and made my way down the steps to her aisle. I tried not to make too much ruckus as I moved down the row and took a seat next to her.

Lauren looked wrecked, with her hand propping up her head, barely able to keep her eyes open. In her current state, there was really no point in coming to class. I don't think she processed anything the professor said.

She was a good-looking woman, but the bags under her eyes, the puffy circles, and the redness weren’t doing her any favors. She had wavy platinum-blonde hair, wholesome features, and full lips.

"How are you feeling this morning?"

She gave me a dirty look. "Who the fuck are you?"

I lifted my brow with surprise. "You don't remember me from the Kappa party last night?"

Her eyes narrowed, trying to recall the memory. "We didn't, like, hook up or anything, did we? I mean, you're cute and all, but I have a boyfriend.”

"That's exactly what I wanted to talk to you about.”

Her face wrinkled. "Who are you?”

I displayed my badge, and her eyes rounded. "Shit. Am I in trouble?”

I shrugged. "Depends on how you want to look at it.”

She cringed. "What did I do?”

The professor cleared his throat, glared at us, and said, "Is there something more interesting than my lecture? If there is, I'd love to hear it."

I held my badge in the air.

"Well, that does seem more interesting. Carry-on, I suppose." He went back to his lecture, but every head in the auditorium had turned and was now looking at us.