Page 54 of Wildcard's Wager

“Not if he thinks he has the upper hand.”

Trouble lays out a plan that has me equal parts terrified and confident. But as Trouble explains, my confidence grows. I know Wildcard will protect me, but I trust the others just as much. Viper and Chill have a specific role to play in Trouble’s plan. Which involves shopping. They drag me along with them to a fashion mall inside the casino. While we shop, Trouble keeps Misha occupied.

I stay in the dressing room while Viper runs back and forth until she finds an outfit for me that meets with her approval. She selects a dress of deep emerald with long sleeves and a longflowing skirt with a slit in the side. The loose material conceals the knife Chill straps to my leg. While the slit gives me easy access. I’m not proficient with knives or any weapons, but Chill and Wildcard both want me armed. The shoes have stilettos that Viper assures me hurt like a bitch if I dig them into a foot or a leg. The last stop is the spa, where beauty consultants apply makeup to make my transformation complete.

By the time they’ve finished with me, Viper and Chill are ready. They’re both wearing form fitting gowns that enhance their assets. Viper, a former showgirl, stands over six feet in high-heeled boots that add several inches. She’s wearing a bright red dress that clings to her curves. Chill’s dress is a dark blue that wraps around her trim form and ends mid-thigh. Her long legs are muscular and toned. They’re both stunningly beautiful women. Trouble’s plan relies on their stunning good looks and my looking the part I’m about to play.

Chill and Viper flank me as we pass through the casino and through to the conference rooms. Each room has a name tied to famous biker events or routes. We find Trouble waiting for us outside Route 66. When we reach him, he puts his hands on my shoulders and leans over to stare into my eyes. “You doing okay? You can still say no if you want to back out.”

I shake my head. “No, this is a good plan. I trust you. All of you. I need to get out from under this murder charge and get on with my life.”

“Good girl,” Trouble says with a grin. “You remember what we discussed? Just play your part and we’ll do the rest.”

I nod and take a deep breath.

Trouble wraps his hand around my right bicep just as he opens the door. He drags me into the room behind him, Chill and Viper right behind us. They move to either side as I glance around the room. I’m supposed to fake fear, but seeing Misha and his two goons makes acting unnecessary. When none of themen makes a move to draw their weapons, I relax into the role I need to play.

“Who the fuck are they?” Misha snaps.

Trouble shrugs. “My girls. Don’t mind them. They’re happy little sluts, aren’t you?”

Chill purrs and slides her hand up Trouble’s chest. “Yes, daddy, you make me feel so good.”

“Drugged?” Misha asks. I see him eyeing Viper with a hunger that makes my stomach roil.

“They like their candy. Keeps them pliant, if you know what I mean? Want a taste?” Trouble releases my arm to push Chill and Viper forward so they’re between them and me.

“Maybe later. We have other business to discuss.” He nods at me, which I take as my cue.

“What are you doing? You said you’d protect me!” I shout at Trouble, pounding my fist against his chest. He grabs my hand and turns me so I’m trapped in his arms. “Is this her?” Trouble asks Misha, who grins back.

“Yep, that’s the bitch. Thanks for handing her over. See, you gave her a few smacks. I’ll take her off your hands.”

“Please don’t,” I beg. “You don’t know what he is.”

“I fucking know who he is. You’re a bitch who lied to us. Thought you were hiding from your husband, not the fucking Bratva. No fucking way we want to tangle with them. You put us at risk.”

“But he killed a cop. You’ll be accessories to a cop’s murder if you let him take me,” I plead.

Misha laughs. “I didn’t kill a fucking cop. Mike did that. He killed George, too. I killed Mike. Took out a cop killer. They should make me a fucking hero.”

The room erupts with noise. Shouts, crashes, and fists hitting flesh reverberate around me. I can’t see anything, because Trouble pushed me to floor and covered me with his body.I tremble under Trouble’s bulk until he moves and helps me stand. A set of familiar arms encircle me as Wildcard crushes me to his chest. He kisses the top of my head, my temple, and my cheek before finding my mouth. We both find peace in the kiss.

Breaking away, I glance around the room and see the aftermath. Viper and Chill are each sitting on one of Misha’s goons. The two men are unconscious as they fasten zip ties around their wrists. Rafe stands over them with his gun drawn.

Misha is on the floor, glaring at me with hatred. The man fastening handcuffs on his wrists is Detective Sully. I glance at Wildcard in question.

“Turns out we misread Detective Sully’s motivation. He wasn’t working for Misha. By putting you up as the primary suspect, he hoped to find you and get you into protective custody. He wanted to find you before Misha did.”

“The cop Mike murdered was the son of my old partner,” Sully says, yanking Misha to his feet. “He was working on a case against Misha with George. When George didn’t return his call, Harry went looking for him. He should have called for backup, but he didn’t want to blow his cover. Guess Mike killed them both.”

“Do you have enough to convict Misha?” I ask.

Sully nods. “Should. We have plenty of evidence. Including the video feed from the hotel showing Misha and these guys leaving Mike’s office. Plus, we have evidence Harry gathered before Mike killed him. His confession today seals it. You might have to testify, though.”

I nod in resignation. I don’t want to go back to Boston and testify, but I will if it means putting Misha in jail.

“You’re a brave woman. Sorry, if I caused you distress by hunting you. Knew this asshole would try to find you and I didn’t know how well you hid.”

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