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“Ever heard of asking politely?” I cringed.
She bent over, placing her lips right next to my ear just as I heard the snap of metal around my wrist. “Please, stay here.” Then she licked the shell of my ear and was gone. I stood but realized all too late that she’d locked me to a metal pipe attached to the wall. I jerked my hand as she opened the luggage and rifled through the man’s suit.
After pulling out what looked like a business card, she straightened the man’s shirt, then fixed his tie, spending an inordinate amount of time making sure it was perfectly straight. Then she pulled his suit jacket closed and buttoned it up.
With a grin, she looked back at me, winking as she turned and ran for the rooftop access. Her dark ponytail swung behind her as she disappeared through the door.
“What the hell is going on up there?” Chase shouted.
I glanced over at Patrick laying on his back. “Man down.”
3
RAVEN
Racing down the steps of the building, I headed to the back exit and shot out into the alley. With my heels clicking against the pavement, I made it a few streets over before I heard the sound of sirens. It shouldn’t have taken that long for Hugo’s security team to call the police.
I wondered briefly if the men snatching him had made it out, and if it weren’t for my deadline, I might have gone back to help them. But that wasn’t the job. I turned down a second alley, stopping by the dumpster where I had stashed my bag. I gently pulled off my black shirt, folding it with great precision before tucking it into the bag. The sparkly purple top I brought wasn’t at all my style, but it worked for a disguise. However, the black leather jacket was all mine.
After taking great care with my favorite knee-length boots, I put them in the bag, sighing because I knew what was about to happen to them. The feel of the wet ground beneath my feet was enough to make me gag, but I pushed on, shimmying out of my pants and pulling on a tight skirt. After folding the jeans neatly, I layered them in the bag and pulled out my heels, slipping them on after brushing the dirt off my feet.
I pulled my hair out of the ponytail and let the waves of my hair cascade over my shoulders. It wasn’t much of a disguise, but a small change was all I needed. I sighed as I took a final look at my boots. I really loved those shoes, but it all had to go. I tossed the bag into the dumpster and grabbed the can of gasoline I’d hidden behind it. I doused everything inside, making sure my bag couldn’t be singled out as the target. With a strike of the match, the whole dumpster went up in flames.
I applied a fresh coat of lipstick and headed down the street to the bar on the corner. In this neighborhood, not many people would take a chance and call in a dumpster fire. There were too many well-connected men who didn’t mind making an example of people who shoved their noses where they didn’t belong.
I pushed the door open, heading to the back of the bar where I was supposed to meet my client. It was dark back here. The owner purposely kept the lights low for unsavory characters who wanted a safe place to do business. Sliding into the booth across from him, I waited for him to show his face.
He leaned forward, his face still partially darkened by the hat on his head. “Do you have it?”
“I want my money.” I eyed the salt and pepper shakers, itching to reach over and straighten them, but I refrained.
“Show it to me.”
I pulled the keycard from my pocket and flashed it for him. “Now the money.”
He reached into his jacket and pulled out a wad of cash, all of them hundreds. After he fanned it out for me to see, I slid the keycard across the table.
“Nice doing business with you,” I said, shoving out of the seat before I could change my mind about the salt and pepper. His hand shot out and latched onto my wrist. I slowly turned and faced him. “If you know what’s good for you, you’ll remove your hand.”
“I didn’t say we were done.”
I waited for him to release his grip, then took my seat again. “I never said I was doing more than one job.”
He held up the keycard. “I didn’t think you’d actually be able to get it.”
“And why’s that?”
In the faint light, I saw the growing smirk on his face. “I only know of one woman capable of pulling off that stunt.”
“So, why didn’t you send her in?”
“She was otherwise preoccupied.”
“With what?”
His eyes dilated slightly. “Another job.”
“What exactly do you need me for?”
