Page 9

9

RYKER

I adjust my Ghost mask, ensuring the name tag “GhostDaddy” is visible. Through the crowd, I spot that familiar curve of her hips, the way she moves. MyKira. She’s even more beautiful in her Aloy costume than I imagined.

My fingers twitch with the need to touch her. Soon. Everything’s premeditated, every move precisely planned. I’ve seen her TikTok reactions to my content enough times to know exactly how she’ll respond when she realizes who I am.

The convention floor pulses with energy, but I tune it all out. There’s only her. I time my approach, weaving through the crowd until I’m behind her at the merchandise booth. She’s reaching for a Ghost poster.

I stretch past her, my chest brushing her shoulder, and grab it first.

“Hey, I was about to grab that!” She turns, and her eyes widen as they travel from my mask to my name tag. Her lips part. That subtle intake of breath, like I’ve heard through her webcam so many times.

“GhostDaddy?” Her voice trembles. “As in from TikTok?”

I nod slowly, savoring her reaction. My mask hides my smirk as I hold out the poster to her. “For a follower.”

Her fingers brush mine as she takes it, sending fire dancing across my skin. I touched these hands during our dance last night, but this feels different.

“I can’t believe it’s really you. Your videos are amazing.” She clutches the poster to her chest. “The way you break down Ghost’s tactical moves and those more sensual videos...”

“I hoped I’d run into you again after last night at the club.” Recognition flashes across her face, and her pupils dilate.

“Wait—you were—that was you? In the Ghost costume?”

“Guilty.” I tap my chest, pointing out the same detailed costume. “Thought I’d give you a preview.”

“Oh my god.” Her cheeks flush pink. “I didn’t even—this is crazy! You’re actually famous. And you totally saved me from that creep.”

She’s practically vibrating now, all excited energy and genuine enthusiasm. It’s intoxicating. This is myKira—the real her. The way she talks with her hands is intoxicating.

“And now finding out you’reGhostDaddy? I literally watch your content every day.”

I know. I’ve seen every reaction, every like, every comment. Hell, the amount of times I’ve seen her touch her pretty little pussy and come to my videos… but hearing her admit it and seeing her excitement in person—it’s better than any surveillance feed.

“Where’s your friend?” I gesture casually around us.

Kiraglances over her shoulder, scanning the crowd. “Oh,Jenna? Think she went to the bathroom.” She shrugs, still clutching the poster I gave her.

The timing couldn’t be better. I’ve waited for this moment, planning every detail.

“Let me buy you a drink. To celebrate meeting a fan.” I rest my hand on her back, steering her toward the convention bar. The touch sends sparks through my fingers, and I notice her slight shiver.

“That would be amazing, actually. All this excitement has me thirsty.” She beams up at me, trusting me. Innocent.

We reach the bar, and I position myself between her and the bartender. “Rum and coke?” I already know it’s her favorite.

“How did you—” She pauses. “Right, I probably mentioned it in the comments.”

I order our drinks, keeping her distracted with questions about her costume while the bartender prepares them. The moment they’re set down, I shift to block her view, slipping the powder into her glass with practiced precision. The movement takes less than a second—one I’ve rehearsed countless times.

A convention security guard in a yellow vest bumps into me, jostling my arm as I handKiraher drink. Some of it splashes onto my wrist.

“Sorry about that,” the guard says, eyeing my costume appreciatively. “Great Ghost, by the way.”

I nod curtly, my pulse racing. Did he see it? The powder should have dissolved already, but the timing was off. I glance atKira, who’s looking at her phone.

“Jenna’slooking for me,” she says, frowning at her screen. “Says she’s been texting for ten minutes.”

Shit. Not according to plan. I hand her the drink, maintaining my composure despite the unexpected complications.

“Here you go.” I make sure our fingers touch as she takes the glass. “To new friends.”

She clinks her glass against mine. “To new friends! And amazing Ghost cosplays.”

I watch her drink, timing each swallow. The security guard is hovering nearby, now speaking into his radio. My muscles tense, ready to adapt if needed. I’ve prepared for contingencies but prefer sticking to the original plan.

“I should probably findJennasoon,”Kirasays after a few sips. “She gets worried easily.”

“Let’s finish our drinks first,” I suggest, nodding toward her glass. “You’ve barely touched it.”

She takes another long sip. Good girl. Just a few more minutes, and the sedative will take effect. I check my watch—timing is everything.

“Actually,” she says, setting down her half-finished drink, “I really should find her. She’s near the main stage. Want to come with me?”

No. This isn’t right. She needs to finish the drink. I need her to be isolated and not walking through the convention.

“The main stage will be packed,” I counter smoothly. “I know a shortcut. We can cut through the back hallway and come out near there.”

She hesitates, glancing at her phone again. “I don’t know...”

“Trust me,” I say, leaning closer. “I’ve been to every GamerCon for the past five years. I know this place inside out.”

That seems to reassure her. She nods, taking one more sip before setting it down. Not enough, but it’ll have to do. The partial dose will still affect her, just more slowly.

I guide her through the crowd, my hand firm on her lower back. We pass a group of cosplayers taking photos, and one of them calls out toKira.

“Aloy! Can we get a picture?”

She turns toward them automatically. No. I need to keep moving. Every second counts.

“Maybe later,” I say, steering her away. “We’re meeting friends.”

The cosplayer looks disappointed but nods.Kiraglances back at them, a slight frown on her face.

“That was kind of rude,” she says. “It would’ve just taken a second.”

“Sorry,” I offer, leading her toward the service corridor. “I just don’t want your friend to worry.”

We reach the door marked “Staff Only.” I swipe my stolen security badge, which I acquired last week, and it opens with a soft click.

“Are we allowed back here?”Kiraasks, hesitating at the threshold.

“It’s fine. I know one of the organizers.” The lie comes easily. “This will save us fifteen minutes of fighting through the crowd.”

She steps through, and I follow, letting the door close. The hallway is dimly lit and eerily quiet compared to the convention floor. I can see her starting to sway slightly—the drug beginning to take effect, but too slowly.

“I feel a little dizzy,” she says, blinking hard. “Maybe that drink was stronger than I thought.”

“The heat in there was intense,” I explain, steadying her with an arm around her waist. “Let’s get some air before we find your friend.”

I guide her down the corridor toward the exit I’ve scouted. Halfway there, a door opens ahead of us. A convention staff member emerges, carrying a box of merchandise.

“Hey! This area is restricted,” he calls, frowning at us. “You need to return to the main floor.”

I feelKiratense beside me. This wasn’t in my calculations. I need to adapt quickly.

“I’m sorry. We got lost looking for the bathroom,” I explain, pullingKiracloser. “My girlfriend isn’t feeling well.”

The staff member’s expression softens slightly as he looks atKira, who does appear unsteady on her feet.

“Bathrooms are back on the main floor,” he says, pointing in the direction we came. “Take the first right after you go through those doors.”

“Thanks,” I say, turning us around reluctantly.

This is a problem. The drug is working too slowly, and now we’re heading back toward the crowded convention. I need to get her alone.

“I think I need to sit down,”Kiramumbles, her words beginning to slur slightly. “Everything’s spinning.”

“Almost there,” I assure her, spotting a janitor’s closet. That will have to do.

I check that the staff member has gone, then quickly guideKirato the closet. The door is locked, but I have tools for that. Thirty seconds of work with the pick set concealed in my costume, and we’re inside.

“What are we doing?”Kiraasks, confusion evident in her voice. The dim emergency light casts shadows across her face. “This isn’t the bathroom,” she says.

“You need to sit for a minute,” I tell her, easing her onto an overturned bucket. “You’re not well.”

She attempts to focus on my mask. “I should textJenna...”

“I already did,” I lie, taking her phone from her unresisting fingers. “Told her you’re taking a break in the quiet room.”

She nods slowly, accepting this. The drug is finally working, but we’re off schedule and in the wrong location. I need to get her to the van.

My earpiece crackles to life—my security monitoring app detecting radio chatter.

“...report of suspicious activity near the west service corridor. Male in Ghost costume with female Aloy cosplayer...”

Someone reported us—the staff member, most likely. I have minutes at most before security starts searching.

“We need to go,” I tellKira, pulling her to her feet. “Can you walk?”

“I think so,” she mumbles, swaying against me. “Why is everything so fuzzy?”

I support her weight as we exit the closet. The hallway is still clear, but that won’t last. I guide her toward the emergency exit at the end of the corridor, knowing it will trigger an alarm but calculating that the resulting confusion will work in my favor.

“Where’sJenna?”Kiraasks, her voice is small and confused. “You said we were meetingJenna,” she says.

“She’s waiting for us,” I assure her, moving faster as her legs weaken. “Just a little further.”

We reach the emergency exit. Beyond it lies the service alley where my van is parked. So close.

I push the door open, and the alarm blares immediately.Kiraflinches at the noise, but I pull her into the alley. The cool air hits us, and she shivers against me.

“Something’s wrong...” she mumbles, trying weakly to pull away from me. “Where are we?”

“It’s okay,” I tell her, supporting more of her weight as her legs give out. “I’ve got you.”

A shout from the end of the alley makes me turn. Two security guards are running toward us, yellow vests visible even at this distance.

“Hey! Stop right there!”

No. Not when I’m this close. I liftKirainto my arms—she’s barely conscious now, her head lolling against my chest. The van is twenty feet away. I break into a run, her weight barely slowing me down after training specifically for this moment.

“What’re you...” Her words slur together as I reach the van. “Why...”

I shift her weight to one arm, using my free hand to unlock the van with the remote. The back doors swing open automatically—a custom modification worth every penny. The guards are closing in, maybe thirty seconds away.

“Shh.” I lay her on the padded floor, already reaching for the restraints I’ve mounted precisely where they need to be. “Don’t fight it.”

Her fingers weakly grasp at my sleeve. “Please...”

The click of each restraint is satisfying—ankles first, then wrists. I’ve measured everything to fit her. The padding will prevent bruising and keep her comfortable during the drive. I’ve thought of everything.

“Stop! Convention security!” The guards are almost at the van now.

I slam the back doors shut, rushing to the driver’s seat. The engine roars to life at the touch of a button. I’ve rehearsed this escape route dozens of times, knowing exactly which turns to take to avoid cameras and which streets have the least traffic at this hour.

The guards reach the back of the van just as I slam it into drive. One guard pounds on the rear door, but it’s too late. The vehicle lurches forward, tires squealing against the pavement as I accelerate down the alley.

In the rearview mirror, I see the guards shouting into their radios. It doesn’t matter. By the time anyone responds, we’ll be miles away on one of three possible escape routes I’ve mapped out. The van’s license plates are already changing—another custom modification that costs a small fortune but is worth every cent for this moment.

I check the monitor showing the cargo area.Kiralies secured on the padded floor, her breathing even. Despite the complications, despite the near-misses, she’s mine now.

“I don’t...” Her voice comes through the speaker, weak and confused, as she tries to lift her head. The drugs are working fully now, pulling her under. “What’s happening?”

I smile behind my mask. Everything I’ve planned for, everything I’ve worked toward—it’s finally happening.

“Close your eyes,Kira,” I say through the intercom. “When you wake up, you’ll be home. Where you belong.”

Her eyelids flutter, fighting to stay open. Even now, she’s trying to understand, to make sense of what’s happening. But the drugs are too strong, carefully measured for her exact weight.

“Sleep,” I order. Her breathing evens out, deep and steady.

I turn onto the highway, merging smoothly with traffic. I’m just another van on the road. Nobody would suspect what—who—I’m carrying. The GPS shows our route to the compound, with an estimated arrival time of forty-seven minutes. Everything’s proceeding according to plan now.

I glance back at Kira one last time. Everything has to be perfect.

“Game over,” I murmur. “Level one complete.”