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Story: The Strategist

We met our friends in the grand entrance hall, which was spacious and inviting. It had a high dome ceiling with intricate designs. Paintings and sculptures were displayed in various areas. Some were roped off for protection. The security team walked around the area, ensuring everyone obeyed the Do Not Touch signs.

I saw two wide staircases that led to the upper levels. A wheelchair-accessible ramp was also available beside the two sets of elevators.

Staff members were in abundance, answering questions and guiding people to where they needed to go.

The museum had a special showing of Picasso, Gustav Klimt, and an artist named Nelumbo. I hadn’t heard of her, but her floral abstraction was gorgeous. Ethereal and peaceful—something I desperately needed. I’d swing by her paintings later to check them out. Today’s mission was to search for Aimee. No other distractions were allowed.

“Hey!” Audri spotted us and rushed over with the rest of the crew.

We exchanged hugs, and they embraced Kaylee. It was their first time meeting her in person.

“You’re so pretty,” Audri told her.

Kaylee blushed, looking bewildered at all the attention from all the beautiful women.

“I just got a new jacket from my designer friend in Paris. It’s too small for me,” Natalie said as she untangled a strand of blonde hair from her earring. “I think it’ll fit you. It’s cool and edgy. Want it?”

Beaming, Kaylee looked at me for permission.

“Sure, why not?” I patted her back.

“Great,” Natalie said. “Stop by my office anytime.”

“Nice to finally meet you.” Grayson smiled at her, revealing a dimple. He had short dark hair, and I could see the sibling resemblance to Audri. “Arrow tells us you’re a genius.”

All the boys gave her fist bumps. She blushed even more and looked up at Arrow, who stood beside her.

He slung an arm around her and smiled. “It’s the truth.”

“The dating app is outstanding,” Remi said.

Questions erupted, and I told them she wasn’t in a relationship. She wasjustlearning about app development and created something fun.

“She’s focusing on school first. Boys will come later, right?” I looked at her.

“Boys are annoying.” Kaylee rolled her eyes. The exact reaction I needed to see.

“You’ll need someone smart like you. Otherwise, it’ll be boring,” Kiera said.

“Who wants boring?” Michelle asked as she fixed the side clip on her long, curly brown hair.

More people entered the museum hall, and we moved to the side, returning to the mission at hand.

Arrow gave everyone a map of the museum’s layout. Arrow had shared his strategy with me last night. My job was to look for Aimee with the girls on the first floor. He and the boys would monitor the second and third floors.

“Everyone has a picture of Aimee and Orion Reimann. See anything? Alert the group chat. Be discreet.” Arrow jerked a chin at two armed security guards wandering around. “We don’t want security booting us out.”

Everyone nodded as one.

At first, I wouldn’t let Kaylee join us today. This wasn’t something I wanted to involve a thirteen-year-old girl in. But she was the one who noticed the clue that Aimee had left for us about “Kuraimee.” No one else would have known what that meant.

What if Aimee left another clue today? Kaylee would be the only one who could decode it. Plus, Kaylee was with the girls and me so we could monitor her.

We had discussed notifying the authorities. But Arrow didn’t trust them. The man who had Aimee was another wealthy and influential man. What if he had connections to the government officials? We had to play it safe.

Arrow kissed the side of my head. “You good?”

Nodding, I smiled. “All good.”