GABE (Silicon Valley Billionaires 2)

He opened his mouth to start arguing, so I turned back to Levi. “If she wants to set up an exchange, is there something we can do? To…disrupt it?”

I didn’t want to become Li Na’s prisoner, but I wasn’t sure what, if any, options I had.

“It depen

ds on the setup,” Levi explained. “But we’ll do everything we can to keep you away from her.”

“And get Hannah back,” I said. “Because that’s the important thing.”

I stared at Levi as Gabe stared at me.

“Doing ‘everything you can’ isn’t specific enough for me,” Bethany chimed in. “If my client’s life is going to be put in danger, I would like more assurance than what you’re offering, which sounds suspiciously like a campaign promise.”

“I second that.” Gabe sounded both miserable and pissed.

Levi rolled his eyes. “I can’t make promises without more information. Of course I’m going to keep Lauren safe and get Hannah back. That’s the whole point.”

There was an uneasy break in the conversation as we considered what lay ahead.

“What can we do tonight?” Gabe asked.

“I’m going to take the crew out to start surveillance on the area,” Ash said. “You’re welcome to come.”

Levi shot Ash a look, but Gabe ignored it, jumping up immediately. “Sounds great. I’ll be ready in ten minutes.” He hustled from the room, not giving any of us a backward glance, in case I complained or Levi rescinded Ash’s offer.

“What’re you doing?” Levi asked Ash warily.

Ash shrugged. “He wants to help. It’s not like we’re going to do anything exciting.” He got up and left before Levi could tear into him.

Levi turned back to me and Bethany. “Let me know when Zhao contacts you again.”

“Of course. Also, Agent Marks called me today looking for an update. I didn’t get into specifics.”

“That’s fine—he’s not much help these days. I’ll check in with him again tonight, but I have another buddy over there who’s much more useful.”

We sat in awkward silence for a moment. There was nothing left to do but wait for Li Na’s next move.

“Would you both like a drink?” Levi asked. “I’m pretty sure I’m overdue.”

I raised my hand. “I have to face Gabe—of course I’d like a drink. Bethany?”

“Sure?” She sounded skeptical.

Levi handed Bethany a glass of wine. “I can tell you more about what we’ve been doing and my background—you seem like you still need some convincing that my company’s legitimate.”

“All the convincing I need is for you to actually get something done on this case.”

“I appreciate you not mincing words.” He raised his glass. “Cheers.”

Bethany arched an eyebrow. “I’m not sure there’s much to be toasting, yet…”

I grabbed my own wine and snuck out, leaving them to their pissing contest.

Gabe was in the bedroom. He’d changed into a dark sweatshirt.

I sank down on the bed. “Is what you’re doing tonight going to be dangerous?”

“Are you seriously asking me that?”