“Well, I guess it’s a good thing I don’t want to.” She stood and followed me out the door. As I got on my bike, she waved and said, “Be careful.”
“Right back at ya.”
As much as I hated leaving her, I didn’t have a choice. The brothers were waiting for me to get back, and she had a job to do—one that could make or break our plans to take down Stark once and for all.
Chapter 20
Marlowe
As soon as Rafe was gone, I pushed my burger to the side and went to the bathroom. I didn’t want Eric to see me read Rafe’s note, so I closed the door and turned on the shower as an added safety measure. I lowered the toilet seat and sat down as I read:
We need you to go over to Stilettos. There is a brown ledger in Menace’s office. You can find it in the bottom drawer. Our guy will be watching, so be sure to snoop around a bit. Make it look like you’re really trying to find something on us. Once you have the ledger in hand, get in contact with Eric and let him know what you’ve found. Tell him you will leave it for him at the front desk of his hotel. Do not meet with him face to face. Leave it at the front desk and get the hell out of there.
I had no idea why he wanted me to hand over their ledger to Eric, but I knew he wouldn’t have asked unless it was something important for me to do. I shredded the note, then flushed it down the toilet. Not wanting Eric to think I was up to something, I quickly undressed and got in the shower. Once I’d bathed, I dried off and wrapped the towel around me—being careful to cover myself as I headed into my room for some clean clothes. After I’d grabbed something to wear, I returned to the bathroom and got dressed. Since I would be going to the hotel, I fixed my hair and put on a little makeup. The entire time I was getting ready, my hands were trembling with nerves.
I wasn’t worried I wouldn’t be able to do what Rafe had asked. It was a simple task, but I was nervous about having to contact Eric. Just the thought of talking to him brought bile to the back of my throat. I couldn’t imagine what Kate saw in the guy. I couldn’t get over how wrapped up in him she was. She wouldn’t even listen to me when I tried to convince her to leave him. I shouldn’t have been surprised. The guy had money, and that was the one thing Kate wanted more than anything. I just hoped her decision to stay with him wouldn’t end up costing her more than she bargained for.
Once I’d gathered my purse and keys, I went out to my car and drove over to the club. I used the key Menace had given me to unlock the back door. As I entered the building, adrenaline flooded my system. It pumped through me hard and fast, making it difficult to think. My eyes were wide and I feared my heart might explode as I made my way over to the bar. My body was pleading with me to run, to get the hell out of there before something terrible happened, but I knew I couldn’t. I had to do what Rafe had asked me to do.
Knowing Eric was watching, I started opening up different cabinets and drawers, pretending like I was searching for something. I put on a good show. I didn’t let the fact I felt like I was going to vomit stop me from meandering through the empty building. As I started down the hall to Menace’s office, that nauseous feeling grew even stronger, so much so, I had to force myself to open the door and go inside. I went over and started searching through his desk, and relief washed over me when I found the brown ledger. I quickly grabbed it, then rushed out of the office and to the back door.
After I’d locked the door, I went out to my car and drove over to the Omni where Kate and Eric were staying. Once I was parked, I took out my phone and stared blankly down at the screen. I could taste the saliva thickening in the back of my throat as I read through the last few messages from Eric.
To say I detested this man was an understatement. He was a vile human being, and he deserved whatever Rafe and his brothers had in store for him. I swallowed hard, pushing back my fear, as I started typing my message to Eric.
Me:
You need to let Kate go.
Eric:
And why would I do that?
Me:
I have something for you. If you want it, you have to let Kate go.
Eric:
That’s not going to happen.
Me:
Then, you won’t get the ledger.
Eric:
What ledger?
Me:
The ledger I just stole from the club. It has a lot of information you might find interesting.
Eric:
I will need to see it. I’ll meet you at your place.
Me:
I’m already at your hotel. I’ll leave it at the front desk. Just give me your word you will let Kate go.
Eric:
Fine, but this ledger better be legit.
Me:
It is. It will be waiting for you at the front desk under Kate’s name.
As soon as I sent the last message, I threw my phone in my purse and grabbed the ledger. I was thankful the hotel wasn’t busy as I rushed through the main entrance and up to the front desk. I’d only been standing there a minute when an older man in a black suit appeared with a bright smile on his face. “May I help you?”
“Yes.” I lifted the book as I told him, “I need to leave this for Kate Davenport.”
“I believe she is still here. Would you like me to call her down?”
“No,” I answered too quickly. “I’ll just leave it here for her.”
“Okay.” Curiosity flickered in his eyes as he glanced down at the book. “Would you like me to put it in an envelope for her?”
“Sure. That would be great.”
He reached under the counter and took out a large manila envelope. As he offered it to me, he suggested, “You can write her name on it, and I’ll let her know it’s here.”
“Okay.” I placed the book in the envelope and quickly wrote out Kate’s name across the top. After I’d sealed it, I handed it over to him and said, “Thank you. I really appreciate it.”
“No problem.”
I smiled, then turned and rushed back towards the door. I was just about to step outside when I heard, “Marlowe? Is that you?”
When I turned, I found Kate standing in the center of the lobby. Damn. “Hey, Kate. I was just running an errand and thought I’d stop by. I was just about to call you when I remembered I needed to be somewhere.”
“Where?”
“I’ve got to get over to the club and do our inventory for tomorrow.” Knowing Eric could appear at any moment, I motioned my hand towards my watch and said, “I’ve really got to go. I’m already late.”
“Can’t you stay for a minute?” she whined. “At least come have a drink with me.”
“Kate...”
“Please. Just one drink.” A pout crossed her face as she begged, “We could go to the bar across the street. I could really use someone to talk to right now.”
I knew it was a bad idea, but I finally agreed. “Fine, but just one drink.”
“Great! I’ll message Eric and let him know.”
“No!” I shouted. I could tell by her expression my abrupt reaction had taken her by surprise, so I tried to cover myself by saying, “You really shouldn’t bother him for just one drink. I’m sure he’s busy with work and doesn’t want to be interrupted.”