Mounting Danger

Chapter 9: The lion and the lamb

As Ricky's gaze bore into me, I fixed my attention on the bartender. The air was thick with the scent of expensive perfumes and the distant murmur of pretentious laughter. The ladies at the other end of the bar, with their identical features and noses in the air, seemed like a carefully curated family portrait. Boring but something to hold my attention until Ricky opened his mouth.

I could feel his eyes boring into the side of my neck. It was an odd feeling, to be the focus of a killer. It was nothing like getting attention from the Hunters. Although they committed murder, I never questioned my safety. But with Ricky, an uneasy feeling settled in my stomach and took root. A part of me wondered what was going on in his twisted mind but I knew it didn't matter. No matter what he was thinking or how I felt, I had one job that wouldn't change. 

With a flick of my hair, I snapped back into the character I was playing and finally acknowledged Ricky's presence. "Is it custom for you to stare like this?" I quipped, attempting to inject a note of nonchalance into my voice.

He chuckled, his voice oddly soothing.  "Only when seated next to such a beautiful young woman."

"Mmm." Downing the last of my screwdriver, smooth and subtly potent, I offered Ricky a coy smile. It was a decent start, but I needed more. I needed him captivated, ensnared by the persona I was crafting.

"Walk away." Kayle's voice whispered in my ear. I scrunched my face together and searched the dark corner of the room. Kayle reiterated his instructions. "Get up and leave. Make him chase you."

I pursed my lips, pushing myself back from the bar. "Thank you for the compliment. Next time drinks on me." 

Casually, I stepped away from Ricky, a playful smile on my lips. Yet, as I moved through the crowd, his voice pursued me. "Where are you going? I just got here." 

I paused, a hand on my hip, and gave Ricky a sideways glance. "You can find out if you want. "

"Good," Kayle said. He began giving me quick directions. I followed Kayle, dancing through the crowd effortlessly. Soon, I reached a second floor where there was a large open room with chairs lining a balcony. Grabbing the door's handle I pushed it open completely then settled into one of the lush chairs and leaned back.

Cold air whipped across my face. "Since you're going to be alone I can't talk as much. Ricky might figure out you're wearing an earpiece. But I'm still listening. If you need to withdraw use your safe word." 

"Ok." I shot back. 

I waited for Ricky on the balcony, staring off into the night sky. After a few minutes had passed with no sign of activity, my brows knit together. I began to pace over to the balcony. Was Ricky going to show up or not? Had he somehow figured I was bad news? Perhaps he wasn't up for the chase, my mind raced with questions. I was so distracted I almost missed the pair of soft footsteps walking up. They settled next to me then all I could hear was the muffled music from downstairs. 

"You're a hard woman to find."

I was leaning over the balcony's edge with bravery fueled by the drink I had.  I finally turned around to face Ricky, who seemed to radiate bravery himself. Men like him were most confident when they had a woman isolated. If ever rejected, their ego could stay intact. "I'm even harder to catch."

He took a step closer, his eyes shining with lust. "Well, it's a good thing I'm a natural predator."

I turned away from him, a playful defiance in my tone. "Who said I was the prey?"

"Touche." He leaned next to me with an inquisitive look. Then his teeth bared in a white smile. It was the kind that was easily captivating. Had I not known anything about Ricky, I'd have been pulled into his charm. But a fortune was on the line, I couldn't allow myself to be swayed in the slightest.