Page 109 of Stealing Blinds

I’m too anxious to sit, so while Axel perches at his desk to multitask work, I find an area between the kitchen and windows to pace. Ever since I discovered that E is responsible for my father’s death, I’ve been filled with contradictory emotions. The thought of hearing his voice is daunting.

I’m grateful Axel is here. He should be able to guide me if I get myself into any trouble, but I don’t relay my nerves despite my cognizance that he probably sees them.

“Ready,” I tell him before I dial from my burner.

The line rings a few extra times, but then E answers. “It’s about time. What is going on with you?”

“Hey. I’m sorry my communication has been sporadic.” My voice quavers from the adrenaline pumping through my veins, so I offer a reason in case he’s picking up on that distress. “I haven’t filled you in on everything because I was kind of freaking out, and I didn’t want you to … I don’t know … worry. But you asked if anyone could be watching me or know what I’m doing, and I think maybe someone is.”

“Why?” He sounds suspicious, and I’m not sure what to make of it. He’s either trying to detect a lie or concerned about someone sabotaging him. “You said the last job was smooth.”

“It was,” I reply easily, not willing to reveal that we had an issue there. “I have what we need, like I texted. But I got a note.”

“A note?” he questions. “At the job?”

When you only know a person based on a nontechnical audio profile, it’s challenging to catalog their tells. But I’m guessing he’s playing dumb right now, though his tone is as sleek and polished as marble.

“No. It was left at my apartment, so someone must have been following me. It was anonymous, of course, warning me that I hadn’t covered my tracks well enough and to get rid of him. I’m not sure who him was referring to.”

He hums in deliberation. “When was this?”

“A few weeks ago.”

He scoffs. “And I’m only hearing about it now? I asked you—”

“I know,” I grit out, rage tensing my muscles at the audacity of this asshole. “And if I’d told you, you would’ve pulled me from the job, and we would be one short.”

Something about that calms him. He releases a heavy breath. “Anything since?”

“No. But I was scared. I had to leave my apartment to be on the safe side.” I glance at Axel, and he dips his chin for me to keep going. “I’ve been dating someone, so I’m staying with him.”

“Does he know why you’d be getting a note?” E barks.

“Of course not,” I snap, refusing to tolerate his tone. “He thinks it’s from my ex.”

“I guess it would work for that too.” He pauses, and more of the tension he conveyed when I spoke to him in Boston bleeds through the phone. “Let me see what chatter I can find. We need to review plans. You’ve only got two weeks.”

“That’s why I’m calling. I have a new plan—a better one. The man I’m dating is a Noire, and they’re invited. I think I can get in legitimately with them.”

“A Noire?” he muses. “Which one?”

“Cash.”

He grumbles under his breath. “That guy has a fucking reputation for having a different lady morning, noon, and night. Tell me you aren’t deluding yourself—”

“It’s going well. Please don’t ruin this.” I inject every ounce of feigned imploration into my tenor that he’d expect from his mentee. “I am doing everything you need me to do, and you know I’ve had a shit couple of years.”

Either he’s a phenomenal actor or the guilt threading his reply is authentic. “I’m just looking out for you. Does he know you’re on assignment?”

“He doesn’t ask those kinds of questions.” I push out a chuckle, as if that’s absurd. “We’re having fun, and while he is definitely only with me, he doesn’t take much seriously.”

“That tracks.” He huffs, but he’s more relaxed with that answer. “Fine. That’s a decent approach. Any idea which Noires will be going?”

“I’m not sure yet.”

“Well, it’s … uncharacteristic.” He hesitates, but reveals the level of information he has on them. “They’ve never attended. They never go anywhere, so … why now?”

“Yeah, I gathered that from some things they’ve said.” I pace toward Axel, pivoting near his bar with the insider tip we decided to extend. “They have a couple of hotels not far from there that will be launching in a few months, so I think the plan is for a few of them to come and tag-team a visit to the operations.”