Page 77 of Nails
When she got to the bar, she set her tray down.Audrey was at the far end, making drinks for one of the other hostesses.
While she waited, her eyes automatically began scanning the room.It was a habit due to her job and training.Her gaze swept past the stage, across the low-lit VIP alcoves, and landed on the far side of the club by the dancers’ entrance.
She spotted Nails.Even in the dim lighting and moving shadows, she’d know him anywhere with his broad shoulders, and that way he carried himself—alert but casual, like he could go from leaning against a wall to breaking someone’s arm in less than two seconds.Her heart gave a ridiculous little flutter.
He was talking to one of the other bouncers, then leaned in to say something close to the guy’s ear.The other man nodded, and then Nails started walking in her direction.Her eyes refused to leave him.God help her, she was supposed to be working, supposed to be thinking about intel, but all she could focus on at that moment was the way he moved—purposeful, confident, and hot enough to distract her from just about anything.
In the last few days, they’ve definitely become closer.She had lowered the wall she had erected before they left for Hong Kong.
When he reached the bar, he slid into the empty space beside her and gave her that smile.The one that wasn’t for show and wasn’t part of their cover.It was real.“How’s it going?”
“I got my first lead,” she said, unable to hide the little spark of triumph in her voice.
His brows shot up.“Seriously?”
She nodded, but before she could go on, he leaned in slightly and lowered his voice.“I found out something interesting, too.”
That got her attention.Her gaze flicked quickly around them, scanning for anyone within earshot.The nearest people were too absorbed in their drinks or conversations to care, but she still shifted so her back was more toward the crowd.
“You go first,” she said.
“One of the bouncers told me three guys man the surveillance room,” he said, keeping his tone low.“And at the end of every week, all the footage is downloaded onto a USB drive and stored in a cabinet inside Adam’s office.”
Her mind immediately began spinning through scenarios that could land her upstairs.There was no way she could get into Adam’s office without his say-so.Which meant she’d have to get him to bring her there himself.And that was going to be tricky, especially when she hadn’t seen him.
“Speaking of Adam,” she said, “have you seen him tonight?I haven’t since I got here.Which is weird.Normally, he’s up my ass the second I walk through the door.”
Nails shook his head.“Nope.Heard he’s not even here tonight.”
Her brows lifted.That was interesting.
Nails glanced toward the bar, then back to her.“So, what’s this lead of yours?”
“One of my VIPs asked about Anna,” she said, keeping her voice light even though her pulse ticked up again at the memory.
His eyes sharpened instantly.“Anna?As inourAnna?”
“That’s what I’m trying to figure out.He said she had pink hair, which doesn’t match her description, but wigs do exist.He also said she was nice, always took care of him when he came in.But get this, he last saw her two weeks ago.”
Nails’ eyes widened.“Anna disappeared two weeks ago.”
Riley nodded.“Yeah.”She let out a slow breath.“I’m going to bring her up casually with Audrey, see if she knows her.Might get lucky.”
“Good idea.”His voice carried quiet approval.Then he glanced over his shoulder toward where another bouncer stood watching the floor.“I gotta get back so he can take his break.”
He smiled and winked.“Be safe.”
She grinned.“You too.”
Turning back toward the bar, she caught Audrey making her way over at last, a grin tugging at the corner of her mouth as she slipped into hostess mode again, but now with Anna’s name burning in the back of her mind.
“Hey there, gorgeous!What can I get ya?”Audrey asked in that peppy tone that was only Audrey.
Riley smiled as she rattled off her drink order.As Audrey went to work mixing the drinks, Riley leaned one elbow on the bar.
“Hey, quick question.”
Audrey raised an eyebrow.“Shoot.”
