Page 54

Crew

“Q uit fiddling with shit,” I mutter, and when Ricky startles, knocking over a spinning decoration on the desk, I wince.

The metal shatters into pieces, and Ricky curses, reaching down. The silence is interrupted only by the thud of the metal clattering on the desk again. I shut my eyes to keep from tying his hands to the chair to get him to sit still.

Ricky adjusts uneasily. “My bad.”

For a few seconds, the sound of the clock ticking on the wall is the only sound in Skar’s office. It isn’t long before the door opens, and Skar and Charlotte enter. Skar wears his usual suit, but Charlotte is dressed an all-black ensemble that clearly displays the Prevyain ink sprawling her shoulders.

Skar sits, and Char crosses her arms as she strolls toward the bookshelf opposite us and stares. I recognize the exact moment Ricky realizes who- what - she is because he glances at me.

“Nice tats,” he says in greeting, and though he seems more than a bit terrified, the comment is genuine.

Char nods. “Same to you.”

Ricky clears his throat. “So, how do you know Ms. Livia?”

Skar raises a brow as if questioning why I brought him here in the first place.

Ricky can help us- and he’d do anything for Olivia.

“She planned our wedding,” Charlotte answers, but I know that if things were different, she’d say ‘ my best friend. ’

I clear my throat. “Look, Ricky came with me to the Rebren last night. We saw Sutherland there. Rema too. The place was crawling with security.”

“You think they’re keeping them there?” Skar prods.

“My guess is yes. But they’re biding their time. Our best bet here is surprise.”

Skar considers the idea but ultimately shrugs. “We can’t raid the place and expect to get them back. What they really want-“

“We’re not even sure what they want,” I reason. “It could be money, but I doubt it. It’s probably one of you. Or both.”

Ricky interrupts, “If they were playing the long game and planning on using her to get to you, then it sounds like knappin her was a mistake.”

At first, the idea is a bit muddled.

But the longer I think about the words, the more I wonder…

“You think they took her because she was getting too close?”

“All I’m sayin’ is these notes are love notes,” he says pointing to half of the notes from Liv's purse.“Real sentimental. Creepy. But these are… These are threats,” he says, pointing to the others. “And that paper is hella nice too. Maybe two different people sendin’ ‘em.”

He makes a fair point. The paper was the only obvious discernible difference between the notes.

Skar nods. “Has Taylor gotten back to you about the security footage?”

“Just confirms that it was Rema that took her from the hospital.” Charlotte seems lost in thought again, her eyes focused on the wall. “What are you thinking?”

“I’m thinking we need to find a way to get inside that party this weekend. Harvey has an invite, but…” she trails off.

“We can’t just walk in.” Skar crosses his arms over his chest.

“Just how are we plannin’ on sneaking inside with so many guards? I mean- Place was crawling,” Ricky laughs, but when we turn, that laugh ends in a cough.

“Has Harvey said anything about going?” Skar asks, and I shake my head.

“They’ll know something’s up whether he shows or not.”

Skar and Charlotte share a look as Ricky quietly asks, “So… getting inside?” Charlotte’s eyes glitter with an idea. He looks between us, shifting uncomfortably. “You’re not suggesting I sneak inside.” At our silence, he laughs. “Gotta be kiddin’ me.”

They wouldn’t be expecting him. I’m still not sure how we’d make that work, but Charlotte seems to be plotting the idea on her own.

“I can find a way to get Ricky and I inside. We’ll create a distraction.”

Skar scoffs. “I’m not going to let you waltz in there on your own.”

“I wouldn’t be alone,” she shrugs. “You find Aleks and Liv and-“

“There are too many of them,” I argue.

“There’s five of us including Harvey... Maybe six if Taylor can figure out a way to bypass their security system from afar. We’re out of options here.”

“There’s too many of them,” Skar repeats, and I can tell from the edge to his voice that he’s not willing to back down. When it comes to her, there’s not much he’s willing to risk.

“Let me take care of that,” she suggests gently. I can only imagine she’s suggesting putting some of those skills of hers to good use.

Ricky raises his hand. “I’m with the gal.”

Skar grips his desk tightly. Tension is high, so I add, “Skar, you and I can come up with a distraction so they get in.”

“And Harvey?” Skar looks at me as he says it.

I hadn’t considered him. Truthfully, we need the numbers… and despite my hesitations, Harvey will do anything for Liv. Right now, that’s what we need.

“We make a plan.”