Page 27

“So uhm . . . it’s not going to randomly drop ten floors? It’s just, sometimes that happens . . . to us,” I said, remembering the elevator at Reynard Technologies that had tried to kill me. Also, our own hotel elevator had tried to kill me. The one at the Stephanie Hotel hadn’t been all bad, though, just frosty. So we hadn’t had much luck with elevators.

“The building is new, one of Mr. Skrinde’s newest developments. All signed off on, and safe. You can take the stairs if you like, but it’s twenty floors up, and some of us have shorter legs.”

Zee stepped inside, Victor followed, and I entered last.

“Why would we go to all the trouble of bringing you here just to kill you in an elevator?” Chatty stepped inside too and hit the penthouse button. The doors rumbled closed and the car swooshed into stomach-flipping motion.

Victor side-eyed me. I side-eyed Zee. Zee scowled down at the back of the troll’s head, like maybe he wanted to shove him face first into a wall. At twice his size, there were countless ways Zee could overpower him.

“You guys are ripe,” Chatty said. “Some advice. Use the shower before meeting Mr. Skrinde. He likes everything to be . . . clean. There’s clothes waiting for you.”

Were the clothes poisoned? Was poisoned clothes a thing? What was their angle? I was about to ask, when the elevator doors opened, revealing a gleaming lobby. A big leafy green potted plant softened all the shiny white tiles. Victor avoided the windows as we were escorted to the closed door ahead. The troll waved his card over the lock again, and shoved open the apartment door.

It was as though Toby’s house had been transported off the beach and planted on top of this building. There was even an infinity pool, with a scary drop toward miles of sandy beach, bustling roads, and people going about their early morning routine.

“Get cleaned up, and meet us in the foyer at eight tonight.” Chatty left the apartment keycard on the side.

“Uh . . . Have we been kidnapped?” I asked. It felt like it, but also didn’t.

The troll smirked, then sauntered across the room to peer up at me.

“I mean, can we leave?” I asked, not sure if he was about to pull a knife or⁠—

He extended his hand. “Why would you want to? The name’s Tucker.”

I took his hand and gave it a polite shake. “Uh hi.”

“You get one shot at meeting the boss. Don’t fuck it up.” And with that bit of advice delivered, he left.

“I like his vibe,” Zee said as the door closed. “For a troll, he’s badass.”

“Zee, he tried to shoot us.”

“Meh. Who hasn’t?”

“Unless either of you would like to shower immediately, I really must insist I go first.” Victor scratched at his head. “There’s something wriggling in my hair and I’d prefer not to learn what it is.”

“Ick.” Zee recoiled. “Go. If it’s a leech, don’t fuckin’ tell me.”

Victor hurried to the bathroom while Zee and I headed toward the three beds, each one with an outfit laid out on it. Zee’s had a brilliant dark-purple suit that almost matched his hair color, mine was a silky dark-gray suit that felt like the most expensive thing I’d ever stroked, and Victor’s suit had black silk accents. He hadn’t worn a suit like that since losing his billions.

I glanced at Zee and saw his raised eyebrow. “If they think I can be bought by fine clothes and silk sheets, they are absolutely fucking right.” He eyed the balcony, and after opening the sliding door, he stepped outside. “This is some weird-ass kidnapping.”

The sound of traffic and the ocean sailed in. I joined him on the balcony, shielded my eyes against the glare off the endless ocean, and peered down at the long strip of beach and impressive high-rises flanking it.

Zee leaned on the rail, taking in the view, and grinned. Sunlight highlighted all the shades of purple in his ruffled hair . . . and the bits of swamp gunk. “Miami, baby.” He sighed hard. “Maybe I won’t quit just yet.”

The view was stunning, just like the apartment. But why hadn’t we been left for dead in the swamp? Why give us nice clothes and have us stay in a place like this? It didn’t add up.

“You think maybe it’s a bit suspicious?” I asked.

Zee leaned a hip against the glass balustrade, folded his arms, and smiled, sharp teeth and purple eyes shining in the sunlight. I chose to ignore the crusted bit of algae hanging off his left horn. “Kitten, trust me, we are one hundred percent being lubed up to be fucked over. Doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy the warm-up. We just gotta watch our backs.”

His gaze roamed over me, warming up. He beckoned me over, and I looped my arms around his waist . . . pressed close. He peered down. “Your hair is a mess and you smell like something a gremlin threw up.”

“Thank you,” I snorted.

He sniffed my hair and grimaced. “Ew.”