Honestly, if I do have to pull out of the job, it’s not the end of the world. I could give Lenora back her money, walk away from the whole mess. Only, this is no longer about just finishing a job. Punishing the mark.

I’m curious to watch Alex—to see what he does, how he responds. For the first time in a long while, I’m excited that I don’t know how the job will play out.

“Alex, last chance…” I raise a questioning eyebrow. “Or forever hold your peace.”

This time, Alex doesn’t waver. “I’m ready,” he says. “Absolutely no regrets.”

“All right then. Lead the way.”

Just like Alice, I follow my white rabbit down the hole into the shadowy unknown of our dark Wonderland.

13. Bait

13

Bait

Blakely

At night, the sounds of the city are distanced. Every blaring horn, screeching brake, and enraged shout feel muffled by a gauzy web that blankets the air, a sort of detached veil for the people who walk the streets.

It’s a necessary survival skill to distance yourself from the madness. You can’t cower at every bump in the night.

And tonight, I’m the boogeyman.

Black hoodie pulled down to shield my face, I stand at the corner of a dive bar as I wait for my mark. Since most of the pressure is on Alex to perform later, I’m taking on Maybelline Mayberry, our damsel in distress.

We had this whole super covert plan worked out where Alex would spill a drink on her handbag, and I’d help hold her things in the lady’s room… But just like most of Alex’s theories, it became too convoluted.

When devising a scheme of any measure, it’s best to keep it simple. Fewer variables, less of a chance something will go wrong. That’s one thing Alex and I agree on. Why go all cloak and dagger when a simple mugging will get the job done?

A blonde wearing a little black dress saunters up smoking a cigarette. If I didn’t recognize her from the picture on the escort site, I’d still know she was here for Ericson. She’s just his type.

In the end, you have to take what you want—and what I want is in her purse.

A few feet away from the escort, Alex leans against the building, his head bowed as he stares at his phone. He looks up at her, then gives me a nod. I pull the knit mask up to cover the bottom half of my face. When we’re discussing this later, I’ll tell Alex how very secret agent he is in this moment. He’ll like that.