We got a nibble.
Nina responded almost immediately. Redhead?
Yep, Drayce typed.
On it.
Adrian assumed Nina was now following the woman as she returned to the people who had sent her.
“What do we do now? Keep walking?” Adrian asked.
Drayce shook his head. “Let’s wait for a little while. I feel like that’s not going to be the end of it.”
SIXTEEN
Drayce Ladon
Drayce nearly cackled like a storybook witch as he shoved his phone into his pocket. He would never say it to Rayne’s face, but the man was a freaking genius.
“Did you see her face?” Drayce crowed as he bumped Adrian’s arm with his elbow. “She looked so fucking confused, like she just couldn’t believe we weren’t racing out the door with a total freaking stranger.”
Adrian huffed a laugh and shook his head. “True. It seems like you’re in on a secret that I’m not.”
Oooooh…yeah.
He at least had the good sense to wince when he glanced over at his companion, but Adrian shrugged.
“I haven’t been with you guys as long.”
“No, man. We weren’t trying to cut you out. Rayne, Cael, and I were talking last night while you, Eno, and Davi were in the kitchen chuckling over beer. Rayne started his deep philosophizing about the motives of the enemy. I didn’t follow most of what he was saying. Something about chess moves and risk-reward analysis. I swear, my eyes were glazing over and his voice was becoming white noise.”
“What’s the point, Drayce?”
“Right. The point is that Rayne said to not do whatever the person wanted when we were finally approached. If they wanted protection, send them to the cops. If they wanted us to accompany—”
“We stay put,” Adrian finished.
“Rayne explained that the unexpected move would force them to change their plans and scramble, increasing their chances of making a mistake or doing something desperate.”
Adrian cocked his head to the side and stared at his nearly empty glass of water. “It does raise the chances of us gaining the advantage. I’ve used similar tricks to get past a person’s defenses to learn information.”
Drayce narrowed his eyes on Adrian. “Why am I now afraid to talk to you?”
His friend grinned at him and slung an arm around his shoulder. “Really, Drayce? Do you think I’d do something so underhanded to learn dark secrets about you or even Cael?”
“You’re a bastard. I’m sorry I didn’t warn you ahead of time. I totally forgot about it until that chick walked in the door and began her spiel. And now I’m not talking to you anymore.”
“Well, before you start giving me the silent treatment, answer me this: Are we at all worried that the person who came in here was telling the truth? How do we know that she isn’t an assistant or aide for the prime minister? Maybe he is in danger.”
Drayce made a scoffing noise. “Of course he’s in danger. We know that already. Doesn’t matter if he’s working with the Empire or not.”
“But I mean imminent danger.”
“That’s why Nina’s following Sheena back to her hiding place. She’ll be able to determine if the lady was telling the truth or trying to lead us into a trap. If the coast is clear, we head in.”
Adrian nodded. “And if it’s not, we’ve got a potential lead to pick apart for information about the Empire.”
“Yep. Not a bad plan, right?”