Page 47 of Love & Consequences

“Thank you, Justin. That's very sweet of you,” she replies coolly, her voice thankfully betraying nothing. “I used to be brunette but decided that anything’s possible in Vegas and that means I can try being blonde.”

“Mmm hmm,” Decker’s hum sounds pleased at the reaction he was undoubtedly going for. But alarm bells are ringing like foghorns in my head.

“Now, since we’re not really here to talk business, I think I might leave you and get on with my evening,” Marlee announces, giving me my cue to hurry up and get out.

The three make small talk in my ear as Marlee says her goodbyes and I open the folder, my mouth dropping open at the first page I see—a list of names, locations, and payment details, none of which seem to have anything to do with Marquis. The payments are all innocuous, most of them going to and coming from overseas accounts, but the people involved are names that would be recognizable to anyone in law enforcement.

My heart races as I contemplate the information in my hands. Moving to the second page, I freeze when I see Harry's name listed, followed by Barrett's mother-in-law. That makes no sense.

Also in the folder are lists of property locations, dates, times, and contacts that no one with legal business dealings should have.

“Have a good evening, gentleman,” Marlee says in my ear. Time to leave.

Cursing myself for running out of time, I scan the first list again, committing it to memory before closing the folder and sliding it back in place before I carefully make my way out of the office.

I’m halfway down the corridor when Chris steps out of the control room.

“Hey,” he says with a frown. “I couldn't see you on the monitors and I'm due my break. Everything OK?”

“Yeah, man. It's all good. Go take a load off and I'll take over till you get back.”

“Thanks, A,” he says, looking me over a moment longer before giving a chin lift and turning away.

It's not until I'm back at my desk that I realize I haven't turned the audio off from the VIP booth, and what I hear has my blood running cold.

“Everything set for Saturday?” Decker asks Justin, his voice low.

“Yeah. Just how you wanted it,” the man replies.

“Good.”

“You sure you want to do this? There are other ways to get it done,” Justin continues, almost sounding reluctant to comply.

“This is my game and this is how I want to play it. You more than anyone know how I operate and how I always get things done. What makes you think that I’d change my plans now just when I’m close to everything I’ve been working toward.” Decker’s voice is as menacing as I’ve ever heard it and it’s foreboding enough to have a chill going down my spine. This is his game? And what has he been working toward?

“I wasn’t… I mean, I’m not—” Justin stutters.

Decker growls. “How about you don't question me, and I’ll forget where you came from and how easy it would be to send you back there? Huh, Justin?”

“Ye-yeah. I hear you, Deck. Loud and clear.” I don’t think I’ve ever heard Justin sound scared until now.

“Good. Now why don't you go back upstairs and get back to work. There's a lot to be done before Saturday, isn't there? And have someone follow her home. I want to know she gets there safe and doesn’t leave.” Shit. I need to warn her. I want to kick myself for leaving my burner phone downstairs. Deciding it’s worth the risk, I pull out my cell and send her a quick text message telling her to go home and stay there and that I’ll explain later.

After Justin leaves, the audio goes quiet and I watch on the cameras as Decker sits by himself and watches down over the ground floor, as if surveying his kingdom.

I turn the audio off and wait until Ben leaves to take a leak before switching the cameras back to live footage. But I can’t shake the same sinking feeling that’s plagued me all night.

Whatever Decker has planned for Saturday, I'll be there. Whatever he has planned for Marlee, I’ll stop it.

Until then, I just need to get to the end of my shift and then I can organize a meet up with Marlee and Barrett for a debrief so we can formulate a plan and work out what the information from Justin’s office means.

Because I’m more sure than ever that something big is going down. And right now, I might just be the only one who can stop it.

Chapter 18

Aiden

The rest of my shift is a non-event. Justin doesn't come to see us again and I don't leave the control room. Instead, I send Chris and Ben to patrol the floor while I focus on making sure I've covered my tracks and that there's no camera footage of me going into the office or coming back out again. Perks of being in charge.

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