Rose Of Game

Chapter 10

R O S E OF G A M E

"Whoever had provoked a men to rage against him has always gained a party in his favor, too."-Friedrich Nietzsche

My energy was regained but I'm sure it's from the light buzz of alcohol that had recently been passed through my lips. I felt I needed it anyway, though I don't usually drink on the job. I needed to be alert and focused yes, but I need to relax too. Especially since I had to babysit the ladies for the beginning half of this party. Handling one was enough for one. Roxanne's arm was linked with mine and Ekon was connected to Amaris. Both of us had exchanged our everyday outfits for some fancy looking suits Amaris ordered for us. Ekon fidgeted consistently either because of the suit or the fact that Amaris was gripping so tight to him that she might break her own arm.

"Amaris, relax."

Her eyes went wide as she looked at me. "This is the first time I'm going on a real mission with you guys. And you are telling me to relax? I know nothing about you, or Ekon, or this girl-"

"My name is Roxanne and I expect you to learn it." Roxanne gave Amaris an icy stare. I didn't know too much about Roxanne's personal life but I was aware of just how much training she had and I'm sure she could snap Amaris in two if she felt the need.

And clearly calling her 'girl' was a good enough need.

I pulled Roxanne closer to me. "You need to relax too. We have to be focused if we're going to be able to do this properly."

She huffed and looked away from all us, staring ahead towards the bouncer. There were crowds of photographers all around us taking pictures of people who wouldn't dare give them the time of day. Nonetheless, everyone smiled and waved like they were on a parade.

"Amaris, you're sure we can get in?" A gangly boy snapped a picture of me and thrusts a pen and pad in my direction. I snatched it from him, signed a giant K on the paper, and gave it back. That was definitely something I never thought I'd be doing willingly.

"If not we could always kill them." Ekon spoke for the first time tonight since we let the apartment. If I were slightly uncomfortable with the bright lights big guy obviously felt more so. "If one more person takes a picture of me I swear it will be the last photo they will ever take."

Amaris gulped and leaned closer to me. "You sure we can't just swap dates? I think I'll take my chances with people assuming I'm gay rather than having a serial killer as my date on the tabloids." She half whispered half yelled.

I rolled my eyes and walked through the main doors. A bouncer that looked like a young version of Ekon stood in front of a black rope. "Name please." He grunted looking at his clipboard.

"Amaris Beckwood plus one." Amaris pushed her chest out slightly and grinned at the bouncer. I would never get used to sudden change in voice Amaris spoke to other people. It was like it got deeper and higher at the same time.

"And I'm Roxanne Anderson." She leaned closer to me and placed a hand on my chest. "This is my plus one." He looked up at the four of us and checked something on his board. "Good to go. Enjoy yourself."

"You too big guy. Little word of advice try smiling a bit more. Makes people believe you don't want to eat them." As I passed I patted his largely pretruding stomach and quickly followed everyone close behind.

"Okay what now?" Amaris asked. She waved at a woman wearing a fox around her neck. Tasteful. Rich people really did tend to get away with everything.

"We gather information in here and wait until Chale gives us a call letting us know that he's hacked into their system. I think we should target some friends or the family first. Any suggestions?"