"Are you okay?" he asked me. I gave him a firm nod.

"I have someone important to meet. I'll be gone for a while." I let him know. "Cover for me, okay?"

"Who are you meeting?" he asked me rather suspiciously.

"An old a.s.sociate," I informed him.

"You still meet people from your past?" he asked incredulously. I nodded, not giving him any more information before leaving the room. I was pretty sure that Ethan would see her from up there, and the questions would follow, but if I took her out of the club, he would grow suspicious. He would try to protect Anthony, and naturally, find out what was happening.

Striding purposefully towards her, I waved Rob over. He tilted his head to a side to acknowledge me.

"Keep the drinks coming..." I slipped some money to him. "Make sure no one is overhearing." He nodded, curtly before giving a full scan of the room.

"You've made some friends, I see." Her bored tone made me want to glare at her. But I kept it all in and waited for her to continue.

"Why are you here?" I asked her. I didn't even try to hide the disdain in my voice. "I don't have time for this. You're putting me in jeopardy."

"I'm sure you can come out of it, Mia. Just like you got out of the mission," her voice was so low that I almost missed it.

"That is none of your business."

"I must say... I have grown rather fond of your scathing personality," she sighed. "I'm glad that you backed out when you did." She looked around once, making sure that no one was overhearing.

"Don't worry," I rea.s.sured her.

"I've been digging into everything, doing background checks and..." She looked straight into my eyes and said the words that followed. "I have found some disturbing things. I have been sworn to secrecy. The organization will take action if I utter a word of their plan to you, but I needed to warn you. They can't accuse me of anything."

"They will kill you if they found out."

"I know, so you better keep this a secret."

"Hit me."

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