Page 156 of Ripped Veil (Ripped Bratva)

“Phoenix?” he asks. “Are you back? Everything okay?”

“There’s a crowd. Gonna turn this thing off. It’s distracting.”

“Since when? Wait, hold up, don’t—”

I turn it off and pick up the speed. There are too many pieces in play for me to jeopardize this plan by backing out now. I don’t know when I’ll have another crack at Sakamoto.

It’s too late to back down now.

The moment we enter the hotel lobby, the woman in the emerald dress heads for the elevators with her husband.

“What’s the plan?” Elyssa asks nervously.

I don’t answer. But I do snatch a glass of sparkling water from a tray sitting in the foyer of the hotel and hand it to her.

“You’re gonna have to spill this on her,” I say, gesturing to the woman in the green dress.

“What?”

“We’re taking her dress.”

Understanding dawns in her eyes and she goes pale as a ghost. Then, seeing I’m deadly serious, she nods.

Again, I can’t help being impressed. I didn’t think she had this in her. Maybe there’s more to Elyssa than meets the eye.

We ride up in the spacious elevators with the older couple. The woman gives me an appreciative glance and I realize that she has no real interest in being at this event with her husband.

Elyssa sidles a little closer to me and the smile drops from the woman’s face. They hurry off the elevator as soon as the doors open.

I linger back for a few steps to give them enough of a lead. Then I jut my chin after them.

“You wanna play with the big dogs, little pup?” I ask. “Well, go on then. You’re up.”

Her expression falters, but she moves forward. For a moment, I wonder if she’s willing to go as far as this. She’s a nobody who’s never done anything of the sort before. A few days in my world and I’m giving her just a taste of what it’s like to be me. To do the things I must do.

Will she falter?

Or will she succeed?

In the end, it’s maybe a little of both. Her trip looks so real that I’m convinced it wasn’t staged at all. She careens into the woman’s back and the water in the glass she’s holding splashes everywhere.

“Dear Lord!” the woman cries, literally clutching her pearls.

“Oh God! I’m so sorry,” Elyssa gasps. “I wasn’t looking, and I tripped and… I’m just so sorry. Please, can I help you clean up?”

The woman gives Elyssa an impatient glance and turns to her husband. “I’ll meet you inside,” she snaps. “I need to visit the ladies’ room first.” She heads towards the restrooms, Elyssa trailing in her wake.

I give them a head start.

Then I follow.

32

Phoenix

The older woman turns with a start when she sees me enter behind Elyssa. “You can’t be in here!” she snaps. “This is a women’s—”

“I’m sorry,” I say, striding forward fast. “We just need to take care of one quick little thing.”

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