Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 70370 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 352(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70370 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 352(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
He frowned as he gave my question some thought. “Not that I can think of. The shower backed up in the women’s locker room again. I had to fine two members for fighting in the men’s locker room and breaking a door.”
“What were they fighting about?”
“Which one of them got to take out Cindy. They were quite upset when I informed them staff was not allowed to date members. More upset than the fine and the week suspension.”
I chuckled. “You didn’t mention she was your fiancée?”
He grinned at me. “I might have withheld that information.”
I shook my head, my hand stilling at one of the applications. “Who accepted this one?” I asked, holding it up.
He took it from my hand and scanned it. “I don’t know. I don’t recall seeing it before.” He frowned. “That’s odd. I went through these the other day. It wasn’t there then.” He scratched his head. “I don’t think it was.”
I took it back, the name staring back at me. Ivan Jones. He had been here. In my building. Walking around.
What was his game?
I flipped the pages, noticing most of the spaces were blank. His name, phone number, and what I assumed was a fictitious address were filled out on the front. He wanted me to see this application. For me to know he’d been here.
“I’ll handle it,” I said.
Mack left, and I turned to my computer, going into the security feed. I scanned the footage, stopping when a familiar face was in the frame. Alex. Not noticeable with his hair tucked into a beanie and scruff on his face. He wore casual clothes and leaned on the counter, talking to one of the female staff. I rubbed my chin. Yesterday was Mack’s day off, which explained why he hadn’t said anything about seeing Alex again.
Alex said something to the staff member, and she disappeared into the office. In seconds, he had rounded the counter and went directly to the membership file on Mack’s desk and added the form I was currently looking at, putting it on the bottom of the pile. Then he returned to his position at the counter, looking up and winking at the camera.
He knew I would be watching this. He wanted me to see it.
I glanced down at the number on the form. It was different from the one on the card Ivan had given me. I finished what I had to do and headed to Elite.
I pulled a burner cell from my desk and dialed the number.
“Mr. Vulpe. You got my message.”
“You think you’re clever, Ivan. Sending Alex in. Dropping me a message. A little boring, actually.”
The silence on the line made me smile.
“You haven’t been in touch.”
“I told you I wasn’t interested.”
“Does five million interest you?”
I didn’t hesitate. “No.”
“Ten.”
I huffed out a long, impatient breath. “I will make this as plain as I can. There is no amount of money that would be enough to get me to work for you, Ivan. I am not interested.”
“You’re wasted, is what you are. You should listen to my offer. What the future could hold for you. Wealth. Power. Fear when your name is spoken. Respect. I can give it all to you.”
“Except I am not interested in any of it. Find yourself another lackey. Or better yet, get out of the country and go bother someone else. I am not available to you for any price.”
He was quiet, the only sign he was still on the line was his sharp breathing.
“Are you certain of that?” he asked, something in his voice making the hair on the back of my neck stand up. I kept my voice neutral.
“I am not interested.”
“Perhaps the next message will change your mind.”
He hung up.
I tapped on the computer in front of me. His signal pinged off so many towers it was impossible to trace. He could be on the other side of the world for all I knew.
But he was here. I could feel it.
I rubbed my lip as I contemplated the situation.
His threat was vague but still troublesome. And annoying. He and Alex were getting on my nerves.
I called Damien. He answered, listening to what I had to say, then sighed.
“I’m still digging, Egan. It bothers me that I can’t get a lead on him.”
“Maybe it’s nothing.”
“Or something so big that it’s been so deeply encrypted, even HJ can’t get to it.”
“Is that possible?” I asked.
“Anything is possible.”
“But HJ—”
He interrupted me. “Runs in the Western world. Our ties aren’t strong in other parts of the world. It takes longer. I don’t have the resources. The language. I’m pulling in a few favors, but it’s going to take time.”
“I understand.”
“I spoke with Sofia earlier. She said something about you going away?”
“For a few days. I found a cottage up north by the water. Private and secluded. I think we can both use the break.” I blew out a breath. “I’ve got a plan to shake any tail that might be on me.”