Page 98 of Her Guardian
“Hmm,” Cadence says, sipping her vodka and putting the glass down. “And you think there’s a connection.”
I lower my voice and lean closer. “I was at Rafferty’s with Boyd. It’s a cigar bar, so I wouldn’t recommend the atmosphere, but I heard three names. Valerie, Catherine, and Sadie. I don’t think it’s a coincidence; there are three missing tourists with those names.”
“Okay, I’m more interested now,” Cadence laughs, examining the wall. “Most were last seen near the strip. You got a map?”
“Hold on, yeah,” I mutter, digging through my stuff. “I printed one out, but never got around to adding it to the wall. Here it is.”
Cadence takes the map and holds it up, marking the location each tourist was last seen. “Could be nothing, but it’s the same general area. Wonder if there are any bars around there. Maybe they met someone—the same someone.”
“They were all single so it’s possible,” I admit, looking at the map. “Wait a minute. Thereisa bar near there. Fucking hell. It’s Fletcher’s!”
“Am I supposed to know that name?” Cadence asks.
“I do,” Lea says, joining us. “That’s where you called from that night you got drunk and needed a ride.”
“You’re going to be really pissed that I didn’t tell you this, but… I didn’t get too drunk that night. The bartender put something in my drink,” I admit apprehensively, watching as Lea’s eyes flash with anger.
“Are you serious? What the hell, Sarah?” Lea snaps. “Massimo would have had one of his guys handle that!”
“I know, I know. I screwed up,” I groan. “Trust me, I already got in trouble when Boyd found out. And he put the fear of every deity imaginable into that asshole, so I don’t think he’s responsible for this. He was way too scared.”
“Big Boyd would scare most people.” Lea shakes her head.
“Alright, so maybe it’s not the same guy, but it can’t be a coincidence, right?” she asks. “Could be someone else that frequents the bar. Shit, what if it’s another serial killer? We should check it out.”
“I’m sure Billy the bartender hasn’t forgotten me,” I say, pondering it. “Or Boyd. Billy will tell us anything he knows to keep from seeing him again.”
“I don’t know about this.” Lea winces. “I promised Rowan we’d go right back to Salvalagio after this. I’m lucky Massimo even let me leave to begin with. He’s a little protective… because of what happened with his first wife.”
“Understandable,” I admit. “Especially now that he knows the Bratva is involved in the Mafia prince stuff.”
“Nobody has me on a leash, so I can go,” Cadence says, a slight slur to her words. “I’m not ready to go back to Salvalagio yet. I’ve been staring at my laptop for days.”
“You okay if Cadence and I go without you?” I ask, glancing at Lea.
“Yeah, that’s fine,” she replies. “But if there’s any trouble, you better call Big Boyd.”
“I will, don’t worry,” I say.
I hurry to Boyd’s bedroom, get changed, and grab my things. I’m glad Boyd finally gave me a key, because I don’t think he’d be happy if I left the front door unlocked.
“Want some pepperoni for the road?” I joke, giving Lea a nudge as we walk past the kitchen area.
“No,” she groans, shaking her head.
We ride the elevator to the lobby and when the doors open, I see Lea’s entourage. Rowan approaches immediately, gesturing toward Lea.
“Come on, boss lady. Time to go,” he growls. “You didn’t get my text?”
“What? No, I didn’t…” She reaches into her purse and removes her phone. She quickly reads the message and shakes her head. “Sorry, I didn’t see it. Guess Massimo isn’t happy I’ve been gone so long.”
“He’s just protective, lass,” Rowan says. “But we need to go before he actually gets pissed.”
Lea turns to me and shrugs. I give her a hug and say a few words to the baby, promising to be the best godmother since Cinderellagot her glass slippers. Lea doesn’t find it as adorable as she usually does, probably because that baby is still moving around. He or she really isn’t fond of pepperoni.
Then I look up and feel a twinge of concern when I see someone standing at the entrance of the Waldorf Astoria, dressed in all black, including a tinted mask that is covering their face. I barely have time to process what I’m seeing before he raises the gun in his right hand.
“He’s got a gun!” I yell, ducking and yanking Lea toward the floor. “Get down!”
