Page 36 of Ever After
She’s wrapped herself around my heart, and I’d rather die than let anything else happen to her.
Chapter Nineteen
Grayson
I turn the burner phone off and call Amelia. I need to know if they uncovered anything.
“Bowers. I’ve been missing you at work. How’s the mini vacation going?”
“Shaw, what happened tonight? Are the girls safe?” I strip out of my clothes and dig through my bag for jeans and a t-shirt.
“The only thing we shut down tonight was some prostitution. We got a tip from an unknown source, but it didn’t lead to much. Are you my anonymous call?”
I ignore her question. “Did you go down into the basement?”
“No. Blueprints for the place don’t show any basement.”
“Shaw, there are two more girls down there. We got Finley out, but that was a fluke—”
“What do you mean, you got Finley out?” She lowers her voice. “You need to get her down to the station now. We need to question her, find out what she knows—”
I run my hand back and forth over my hair. “Fuck! Listen to me, Shaw,” I whisper-yell into the phone. “She’s not safe. She can’t come out of hiding right now to answer your questions. You need to get back there and go to the basement. Look for the other two girls and get them out.”
“The best I can do is get a warrant to look around. We already searched the place tonight and didn’t come across any stairways that led down. Are you sure about that?”
“Positive. I’ve been there. I can’t explain right now, but I will when I can. Get that warrant ASAP and check again.”
“Fine. When are you coming back to work?”
“When this shit is behind us. I’ll talk to you later.” I hang up and pace the room. I need to get to Winston’s and see her. Honestly, I still can’t believe it’s real, and I need to make sure for my own goddamned mind.
I text Winston for the address, change, and race downstairs to the lobby. I look around and notice my tail sitting there reading the newspaper.
Shit.I slip into casual mode, sticking my hands in my pockets and plastering a smug smile on my lips. He notices me and tips his head in greeting. I walk over to him and sit in the seat across from him.
“Did I do something wrong?”
“Not at all. Mr. E’s a private person and wants to make sure his investments are protected. That includes anyone who comes to look at the merchandise.”
I smirk and rub my jaw. “So, he’s having me followed as protection tome?” I deadpan.
The man smirks back. “Yeah, something like that.”
“I see.” I stand without another word and walk into the bar, ordering a drink. The bartender puts the glass down in front of me, and I hold it up in salute to the man who refuses to take his eyes off me.
I need to figure out how to get out of this place without him following me. Getting to Finley is priority number one. I look around for any distraction to use. There’s a table with a few ladies checking me out, giggling. I smile wide, giving them a full display of my dimple, fix my glasses on my nose, and strut over to them, trying to keep the holier than thou persona going.
“Ladies, you all look beautiful tonight. Care if I join you?”
They erupt in giggles and slide over, giving me room to sit.
“Can I buy you ladies the next round?”
“Sure,” the blonde one responds. “I’m… Charlotte,” she responds hesitantly.No, she’s not.I’ll bite, though.
“Hi, Charlotte, I’m Chase. It’s nice to meet you.” I take her hand in mine and brush a kiss along her fingers.
The girls giggle some more. We talk for the next twenty minutes or so, and I convince them into the elevator with me, making it known I will be joining them in their room for the night. Since he doesn’t know their room number, as long as he doesn’t see my room unlock, he will assume I’m staying the night elsewhere.