Page 68 of Bitter Queen (Advantage Play 4)

“Okay.” He takes a quick drink of his juice before diving right in. “I already spoke with Kingston this morning, but we wanted to get your input. There are a few spots that Sei used to go to regularly. I was thinking we could check them out and see what we find. What do you think?”

“Sounds like a shot in the dark, but yeah. I’m in.”

“We were also thinking that Q might be able to help us out a bit.”

“And how would she do that?” I return, my suspicion spiking.

“She, uh,”—he clears his throat and braces himself for the inevitable fallout—“She could walk around a few of the streets. Maybe buy a drink at one of the bars. That kind of thing.”

“No. Not until we know where he is and can set up a plan to keep her safe.”

“That’s the problem, though. He’s not gonna show his face if he doesn’t have a reason to. He knows how well I know him. That I know where he likes to hang out. That I’m looking for him. But he doesn’t know we have Q. He doesn’t know that she knows where he likes to go. If he happens to see Q at one of his regular spots, then he might be more willing to visit that area again in hopes of catching her in a compromising position. He might even get desperate to see her again and make a mistake. One that could benefit us.”

My arms tighten around her before I shake my head back and forth. “No. Not a chance.”

“I’ll do it,” Q interjects.

“No––”

“I’m serious. I’ll do it. I think Dex is right. Besides, you’ll be there to look after me.” She turns to Dex and clarifies, “He will be there to look after me, right? From a distance or something?”

“Yeah. Yeah, he’ll be there. And so will Stefan and me. We’ll stay back, but you’ll always be in our sight. We’ll even give you a wire so we can hear what you hear. We promise.”

“Then I think that’s our best bet, don’t you?” she asks, peeking up at me. Her natural beauty, combined with the vulnerable lilt in her voice, is captivating. But it doesn’t make it any easier to agree to this ludicrous idea.

Resigned, I blow out all the pent-up oxygen in my lungs while everyone stares at me with bated breath. “Yeah, Blue. I think it’s our best bet.”

“Then I’ll go get dressed.” She raises onto her tiptoes, giving me a quick peck against the cheek before skipping down the hall. The sound makes my chest ache because it’s so…normal.

Even though this situation is the opposite.

Her light footsteps are replaced by a heavier set as Stefan and Kingston join us.

Rounding the corner, Kingston gives Dex a pointed look. “Did you tell him?”

“Yeah.”

“And?”

“And I agreed,” I interrupt, annoyed that they’re talking about me like I’m not in the same room with them.

“Good.”

Sensing my reservations, Dex asks, “What is it?”

I scratch my jaw and roll my shoulders. “What if it doesn’t work?”

“We’ll rotate between using Q and questioning a few of Sei’s old allies.”

My brow quirks. “And when you say questioning…?”

Kingston answers, “He means you can do whatever the hell you want to them to gain intel on Sei’s whereabouts. Capisce?”

“Yeah.” My mouth twitches with a smile. “I hear you loud and clear.” I’ve never been one for torturing and interrogating the enemy, but in this case, I might have to make an exception.

“Good. Dex, have you heard anything else about the other families? How is everyone else acclimating to new management?”

“Not…terrible?” he offers with a shrug as he plates his scrambled eggs then plops down at the table.