Page 9 of Deuce

In fact, George was nowhere to be found.

I stared at the blank screen in disbelief.“Son of a bitch!”

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Deuce

“What’s up?”Rattler slid back into the booth, and I caught him up on what Sophia had told me while he was gone.

“She’s checking out the app now, looking for George’s details,” I said.

Rattler turned his attention to Sophia.“Your plans to meet at the coffee shop not there?”

A look of disbelief on her face, Sophia nodded.“It’s like I made it all up.It’s all gone.Every chat we had just poofed.Vanished.His profile has disappeared too.”She handed my phone back to me.

I quickly scanned her bio.Her profile pic was adorable, but chaste.Not exactly a Tinder kind of shot.Pretty generic, nothing to ring any alarm bells.I saved her login and the website before closing it.Technically an invasion of privacy but given the circumstances, justified.Maybe Shadow could dig deeper into it when we got back to the clubhouse.

I exchanged looks with Rattler over Sophia’s head.Neither of us were surprised George had wiped his profile.He’d just set up a new profile as Sam or Henry or some other common name and continue the scam.Chances were, this was the gang Ace was looking for.They were slick.Professional.It was pure luck we’d been there when Sophia managed to free herself.How many before her hadn’t been that lucky?

“Not much point in calling the cops.It’s going to look like you made up the whole story.”

She repeated her earlier expletive, but softer.“Son of a bitch.”

“Exactly.These guys are pro.How much does this George guy know about you?”

Sophia gave me a blank look.“What do you mean?”

“Personal details.Anything that will make it easy for him to find you?”

“No.Unless he has my purse.”She shook her head.“You think he’s going to come after me?”

“Maybe, maybe not, but it’s better to play it safe.”I didn’t want to scare her, but chances were good this George character would want to reacquire her.She could ID him, and possibly his henchman.Pros didn’t like to leave loose ends.

“I didn’t have any of that on my profile, and I didn’t tell him when we met.I told him I was a teacher, but I didn’t say which school or that I’m a sub so I go to whichever school needs me for a day or two.Other than that I do custom sewing, mostly from home.I picked that place to meet because it isn’t too close to where I live, and it’s not one I normally go to.”

Rattler nodded.“Good.He still might be able to find you, but you didn’t make it easy for him.”

“I just didn’t want to run into him again if he turned out to be a jerk.”She snorted.“I didn’t expect this.”She wrapped her hands around the tea mug and lifted it to her lips.

Gorgeous lips.Full and sensual.I could see why she’d been targeted.She had that innocently seductive look about her that aroused both my inner demons and my protective streak.George was lucky I didn’t know where to find him.

Rattler cleared his throat, giving me a meaningful look.“That was Ace on the phone.Something came up and he wants me back at the clubhouse.You okay with me leaving?”

“Sure.”I wasn’t about to ask what was up with Ace.Not in front of a civilian.We didn’t share club business with outsiders.“I’ll let you know if I need anything.”

Rattler gulped down the rest of his coffee and got to his feet.“Nice to meet you, Sophia.”

She gave him a warm smile.“Nice to meet you too, Rattler.Thanks for everything.”

I tamped down an unexpected surge of jealousy.I wanted her to smile at me like that.Rattler gave me a lopsided salute and strode to the door.

Sophia took another sip of her tea.“Can I get a ride back to my car?It’s still at the coffee shop where I met George.”

I shook my head.“Bad idea.Chances are George will be watching for you to come back.I can take you home and send one of the prospects to pick up your car and move it to a safe place for the night.Do you have your keys?”

She grimaced.“No, but I have a spare set at home.I can get them for you if you take me home.”

I resisted the urge to smile.“That would be good.The prospects could probably hotwire it, but it’s easier if we give them the keys.It’s a long shot, but they can ask at the coffee shop to see if your purse is still there.Don’t get your hopes up, though.I’m guessing George and his buddy made sure to snag it when they grabbed you.”

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