We’d set up a super-secret meeting with Meg and told her most of our plan, and I hoped she wasn’t a mole, because she had been the one to spread the rumors about me. That, of course, had taken time, but now we were finally ready to execute our plan. Well, ready maybe wasn’t the right word, because my heart rate was going through the roof and my palms were sweaty.

But then again, I was fully aware of the fact that someone was going to come here to kill me, and if I wasn’t careful enough, they might succeed. Once, I’d almost longed for death to come, to reunite me with my family, or to simply put me out of my misery, but now... Now I really didn’t want to die. It was odd, but it might have something to do with the guy whose eyes seemed to truly be the window to his soul. I frowned at my own thoughts. Yeah, I hadn’t been right in the head lately, had I?

I made my way across the parking lot, barely resisting looking up at the rooftops to see if I could spot James somewhere. But if I could see him, that would mean someone else surely would too, so I hoped he was in a spot that was well hidden.

It was night, although the club had so many flashy colorful lights around that it didn’t seem so, and many people were on their way to the entrance. The parking lot was almost full. I’d actually gotten myself a blonde wig, because if I wanted the Desaltis to really believe I was on the run and meeting a mysterious someone here who might be able to help, I had to act like it and not be too obvious.

On my way to the door, I slipped my hand into the pocket of my leather jacket and squeezed my phone. James and I had gotten brand new burner phones just for today so that he could message me once he had his eyes on the Desaltis. I had to keep the phone close so I’d feel its vibrations, but I also had to make sure there weren’t any suspicious people here—well, except for the guard at the door, who’d apparently been in contact with the Desaltis ever since James’ father was killed, but he’d always just been an informant, nothing more, so it was unlikely he’d go after me himself.

Meg had actually unearthed some of the info about him, along with his work schedule at the club. Hopefully, the guy would recognize me, but since he’d probably been told to look out for me and that I’d be coming here sometime soon, that wouldn’t be an issue, even with my wig.