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“What?” I freeze, my feet stuck to the casino carpet. That can’t be a coincidence. Was it Evan? Did he know where it was all along?

“Security footage is terrible, but I’m sending over the file now,” Cruz says. “Also, I’m on my way. I have a bad feeling about this.”

“No. I’ve got teams here. You stay there.”

“Like you stayed away when I was in trouble? Don’t think so. My plane leaves in five.”

It’s pointless to talk her out of it. So I don’t. I hang up and look at the picture. The man must have known where the cameras were because he kept his head down the whole time. He’s not overly tall, under six feet. Wearing all black and has no markings on his skin. He appears squat but nimble.

Nothing to narrow it down.

I mutter a curse and stomp through the casino, back toward the Strip. What am I going to do?

I’m twenty feet from the front door when it opens, and a woman comes walking through barefoot. I do a double-take. There’s a pound of makeup on her face, doing its best to mask her identity, but I’d know her anywhere. That’smywoman.

My stomach bottoms out.

No, no, no. This cannot be happening.Whyis Amelia in Las Vegas?

That woman has an affinity for finding danger. And I have to keep her out of it. I can’t let her see me and get dragged into this mess.

At least that’s my plan. Until I register the man behind her.

My father.

The air evaporates from my lungs and I pull my hat further down, covering my face. I can’t be seen talking to them here. But Iwillbe talking to them.

When they head for the elevators, I do too, slipping sunglasses on as I go.

What on earth is happening? Did she come here to find my father because she still thinks I want a relationship with him? And now he’s fed her some lie, telling her how he’s broke, and she’s going to hand over her wallet out of the goodness of her heart?

Things could not possibly get worse.

***

Amelia

“I can walk back to my room by myself,” I say to Thane. He’s giving off some super creepy vibes right now, and all I want to do is get away from him. What is he going to do? Rob me? I hope Maddie is already there, then it will be two against one and we can surely fight him off. Caleb and I have been practicing takedown maneuvers…or have we? Usually, we just end up kissing, and I don’t feel like that’s an appropriate surprise attack in this situation.

“Not if you’re drunk,” Thane mutters, glancing over his shoulder but pushing me forward toward the elevators.

“I’m not drunk!” I nearly stomp on his foot in retaliation.

Thane glances around pointedly. “Sure honey, no need to get upset.”

Ooh, this man is infuriating. “What did you steal from that place?”

“I didn’t take anything,” he mumbles, hitting the button for the elevator. No way am I getting in a metal box alone with him. What if he kills me? Where’s the pepper spray Caleb gave me? Probably lost in my car somewhere and totally useless to me right now.

“Um, forgive me for stating the obvious, but why are you still here?”

The elevator opens and he doesn’t answer, just walks right in, pulling me with him. “I want to talk about Caleb,” he says.

Four other people enter the elevator behind us. One guy looks familiar, but he keeps his head down, his hat and glasses hiding his features as he faces the closing doors.

“You haven’t wanted to know Caleb for years. Why now?” I ask, loud enough everyone in this elevator can hear me. That’s the plan. Maybe someone will realize I’m in danger and help me.

Thane grabs my arm, pinching it a little harder than necessary.