Page 56 of Caged

Our server brought our drinks. We thanked him when he said our meals wouldn’t be long.

“You think they’ll try something in broad daylight?” I asked.

“It’d make more sense for them to grab you at the poker game. We’ll have someone run intel on the location, once we have it,” she said. “We’ll put backup in position, too.”

I didn’t like the sound of being alone with Roman and his goons, even if I had back up in the area, but it was too late to turn back now. If the game led us to Wendy, it was worth the risk.

We’d left our real phones in the truck, so we couldn’t do any research at the restaurant.

“We need to be careful,” she said.

I nodded. The humming birds tap dancing in my gut wouldn’t let me forget.

Being careful was useless if I couldn’t see the enemy before they fired on us.

“Come on, Babe, two hundred isn’t enough for the night,” I argued as our server dropped off our food.

“Maybe if you won more, I’d trust you with more money,” she replied without missing a beat.

I had to admit, Maxwell and I worked well together. When we weren’t biting each other’s heads off.

We kept the conversation to small talk while we ate.

We were almost done when my vision blurred.

Fuck.

I looked at Maxwell as she leaned back in her seat rubbing her eyes. “I think they drugged uth,” she slurred the last word.

They couldn’t have.

Unless…

Unless Roman owned the restaurant too.Or he’s blackmailing them like he did Davenport.

I tried to stand up but my balance was off. Falling back into my seat, I checked on Maxwell again. Her hands were gripping the edge of the table as she fought to stay conscious.

“Don’t bother trying to fight it.” The voice sounded muffled, like it was coming from under water.

I looked up to see Richard Roman approaching our table. His too big smile making my stomach turn.

“Sheppard. Maxwell.” Our cover was blown. “I’d say it’s a pleasure to meet you, but we both know that’s a lie.”

I opened my mouth to say something but Maxwell’s unconscious body slumping against me ripped my attention back to her.Fuck.

The room spun as I turned back to ask Roman, “What’d you…”

Chapter 23

Cate

Iwoke with a pounding headache and cottonmouth. As I struggled to open my eyes, I tried lifting a hand to rub them but couldn’t. They were tied behind my back, and my head felt heavy and sluggish.

Shit.Where’s Jaden?I did a quick assessment using my other senses.

The seat felt soft and I could hear a motor running, so a car. I sensed someone beside me.

“I know you’re awake, Miss Maxwell. You can open your eyes.”

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