Page 121 of High Reward

She shakes her head. “I’m curious. Let me join you.”

I don’t argue, just grip her hand and lead her back to the front of the building.

She’s right about Jacob’s demeanor. He is frantic and wild-eyed, as if something has him spooked.

“What’s going on, Jacob?”

“I know I’m the last person you want to see, but when I discovered what I had in my possession, I had to bring it to youright away. I’m not even supposed to be in Las Vegas right now. The job I’m on has me out of the country another week at least.”

He glances behind him at the large storefront windows and jerks his head to the back room. “Can we get away from all these windows?”

My frown deepens. “Are you bringing danger to my club, Jacob?”

“Not on purpose. I was careful. But I really don’t need the wrong people finding out I’m back in town when I should still be in Europe.”

If he flew all the way back to the States without finishing a job to see me, it must be important. With that in mind, I wave him back and nod for the guard to stand down.

“Be on alert for anyone looking for our guest,” I tell him before disappearing into the back with Lili and Jacob.

Lili’s face is still pale, but she seems less freaked out than when she knocked on my door. I don’t bother taking him all the way to the back offices. Instead, I unlock the door to the front office that is usually for Bellamy. I point to the chair in front of the desk.

“Sit. Start talking.”

Lili sits on the sofa along the wall, clearly wanting to stay out of the way, for which I’m grateful.

“I was on a job. Not going to give you details, but in the course of events, this landed in my lap.”

He pulls out a small voice recorder and hands it to me. “It’s got a lot on it, but the files in the middle that were recorded three months ago are the ones you’ll be most interested in. I did make a copy of the memory card, and it’s in my safe deposit box, but you can have the original. Stay safe. And keep Ami safe.”

Ami is what he calls Amarjit, the good doctor and Dom who frequents our club.

“We’ll do our best. What can you tell me about what I’m going to hear?”

He pinches the bridge of his nose and closes his eyes. “Griffin Price talking with my mark about this club. About the four families. I think he’s coming after all of you, but I don’t know why. Just… just listen. And consider this a good-faith gesture that I don’t want to be on your bad side.”

I don’t smile or offer him any encouragement. Earning my forgiveness for what he did to Lili is going to be hard, if not impossible. Especially when she’s sitting right there with terror still in her eyes from what she endured at his hand.

“I appreciate the information. But I make no promises about the rest of it,” I say plainly. “This will not be forgotten, though. Now it’s time for you to leave.”

Jacob huffs as he twists the large gold ring on his right ring finger. “Of course. Have you seen Ami? I can’t risk seeing her until this job is done.”

I nod. “She’s been staying here. She’s helping us out with someone who needs medical attention. I believe she’s already at the hospital, or I would arrange for you to see her.”

He stands and shoves his hands into the pockets of his black cargo pants. “I appreciate the thought. I’m… Yeah. Let me get out of here. I’ll be dark for a couple more weeks. After that Ami can reach me if you need anything.”

And just like that, he’s leaving the office.

I’m tempted to follow him and make sure he leaves, but I believe his story enough that I sit next to Lili instead.

“Well, that was interesting. Are you going to listen to it now?” She asks.

I turn the recorder over in my hands and stand, holding my hand out to her. “Let’s go see what Owen has to say.”

In my office, I sit at my desk, dial Owen’s number, and square myself in front of my monitor, prepared for a barrageof technical jargon as he walks me through uploading the drive Jacob handed us. It turns out to be easier than I imagined, and Lili stands behind me with her hand on my shoulder as we wait for Owen to open it and examine the contents. I don’t even pretend to try and make sense of what pops up on my screen, but judging from the whistle Owen lets out, it’s valuable information.

“This is a gold mine. Where did Jacob get this?”

I sigh and drag a hand through my hair. “He wouldn’t say. But the sense I got was that it was from a mark, and when he realized what he had, he figured it would buy some goodwill with me.”