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Story: The Strategist

“What?” I slowed the car and glanced toward the sidewalk to see someone in a thick coat with a hoodie doing the Pimp Roll toward Midnight Chaoss. “Are you sure that’s her?”

“Yes! She’s in disguise, but I’d know her face anywhere. Besides, Dion and his dad have been teaching her the move.”

“What? Dion from Whiz Kidz?” I pulled over to the curb. “Why?”

“Yeah. He’s her patient. What is she doing here?”

Fuck.Was something happening at the club tonight? That wasn’t a safe place for her.

“I’m taking you home. Then I’m coming back here to make sure she’s okay.”

“Okay,” she said. “I’ll be at Violet’s because that’s what I texted her earlier when you arrived at the police station.”

Had Vivian received a tip regarding Aimee? Why hadn’t she told me? What if something happened to her at the club? Frustration and something else whirled in me.

I needed her totrustme. How could she be my woman when she was on some dangerous mission without telling me? That simple gesture crushed my heart.

I saw her text about running an errand. She should’ve told me about her plan.

We needed to talk.

CHAPTERFIFTY-FIVE

VIVIAN

“You need to wear a mask.”Willy offered me a chipmunk mask. He had a bulky build and long dreadlocks with colorful beads at the ends. His warm smile put me at ease in this loud and crowded place.

“Thanks, but why do we need to wear masks?” I put on the mask and glanced around. “Not everyone is wearing one.”

“Jayden always wears a mask when he makes big bets. You’re here as him, so it’s safer to wear it.”

Understanding, I nodded. “Do you know where I can find The Tip?”

“Not sure. He’s wearing a mask too. I can ask around. Look for a tall guy with a skull tattoo on his finger.” Willy shrugged. “But he might not be here tonight.”

Disappointment nipped at me.Please be here.

I hoped The Tip could help me get information on the unknown man who had Aimee. Arrow and I could stop by the Mount Centauri Museum next when it reopened after the renovation.

“I’m gonna go check out the fights.” Willy gestured to the many rooms down the hall. “Wanna come?”

He was here to gamble, not babysit. Plus, I didn’t want him lingering around me as I searched for The Tip.

“No thanks. Don’t worry about me. By the way, do you know what kind of mask The Tip usually wears?” There were so many people here in masks. It would be hard for me to pick him out of the crowd.

“I’ve seen him in a bunch of different ones, but he likes those damn clown masks.”

Fear slithered up my spine. Could The Tip be another alias for Ghost? How many did he have? Or was this another coincidence of some sicko who preferred clowns? My stomach clenched as though it knew it were Ghost.

“Thanks. I’ll keep an eye out for a clown mask.”

Willy nodded and headed over to a group of people wearing matching blue masks.

I strodeby a group of men who exited a door. They all grinned and held white slips in their hands. They must have come from the betting area, which I had no intention of visiting.

A sign promoting animal blood sports stopped me. Seriously? I’d heard about these but had never witnessed it. What kinds of animals did they have here? I walked down a short hallway to an area with people surrounding a small cage. People cheered as two roosters fought. I blinked at the horrific sight.

It sickened me to see the injured animal. I swiftly strode out of that room and returned to the main area.