All Chapters of Playing with the Enemy: Chapter 181 - Chapter 190

Vega was right. Of course he was. He always was. It was why I had kept him for so long. That and the fact that he wasn’t scared of me.Just like Clementine.Except I didn’t fuck Vega. Never had. Probably never would. Probably.I loved my freedom. I loved coming and going wherever I pleased, whenever I chose. If I made myself an administrator, a director in any part of the wide network I operated in, people would have expectations. Targets, other than the ones I already had, would be on my back. I didn’t want that. Never did.But I was not twenty-five any longer. I had to think about my future.All the happenings in the current days, with the losses and robberies that were happening in my arena, had begun to make me think about what I would have done if I had lost my investment the way my clients had.What I would have done to correct the situation and who I would punish along the way.It had excited me. That power. That authority.

“He invited me everywhere, and I went anywhere, anytime he called. I didn’t have guards then. It was me, my bank card, my phone, and the open road.”“I had just graduated from college. I was doing that taking-a-year thing to find myself.” He gave a short laugh.It sounded like how a slap would feel.“I was free. So, I did what free people with means did.”He sat back, his gaze distant.“Two, maybe three weeks into keeping up with him, we were at a strip club. He asked me to dance for him. It wouldn’t be the first time. I did it, freely, like I had more than once.”He shrugged.“He praised me, as he always did. Then…,” he slowed, his eyes darting left and right. He closed his eyes and inhaled.“He asked me to dance for his friend. An older guy. I had seen him before; we, the three of us, had hung out maybe twice, but I didn’t have that kind of relationship with the man.”“The older guy laughed it off when he saw my face,

Rina had unearthed a lot from Leon’s office files.It turned out that Leon, and those he worked with, were not simple criminals. They were the underground of the underground.We had found out that Leon Ralis was not involved in a singular arena of crime; he was a syndicate unto himself, and he didn’t run in local circles. The man was an international illicit business owner, trafficker, and fence.Even if he were to be arrested, there were not enough courts in the country to process his dealings in one sitting. He would not only have to face local jurisdictions across state lines; he would have to stand before international courts for cross-border crimes.The man was not only involved in human trafficking, but he was also a broker for high-value stolen properties, from ancient artifacts to modern artwork, jewelry, and tech.Leon had billions, with funds in not only currencies but also in commodities. He had safe deposit boxes all over the country an

It was almost 10 a.m. Tuesday morning, and I found that he was at a private hospital used by the very rich and very private citizens of New York City.I checked the hospital records. Sir Sinclair’s name came up, not Adrian’s.Somehow, the tightness in my chest reduced at that discovery.I traced his movements to get an idea of how close he was to the issue, and here I was reviewing the CCTV recordings from Adrian’s home, data I had access to thanks to the one and only Rina Malroy, since the first day I went to Sir Sinclair’s mansion, the same evening I broke up with my dark one the first time.The kid had hung back as his father was wheeled out of the house. He had said something to the butler and the maid before leaving.I pulled my mind back to the present.If something’s happened to Sir Sinclair, what would Leon do? I mused.I have to get to him before he finds out I’m not where I’m pretending to be… I didn’t know his

I wasn’t going to serenade Leon Ralis. Ten minutes. That’s all I needed.We wouldn’t be there for long.The main problem was his private security, the men stationed in his penthouse itself. Most especially, Vega.There was no way to get them out and leave Leon in.That meant I had to make a call I really didn’t want to.A call I had made at 4:30 p.m.==========“Marcus.”“Jay.”“I need your help.”“Where?”I paused. My heart was banging against my chest like a possessed drum.“Ralis’ home.”“Go on.” No hesitation.I held my breath.“Go on, Jay.”“I need a distraction,” I said, my voice an octave higher as I forced the words I was loath to say out.“Tell me.”I did. He listened.Five minutes later, he said, “Okay.”“Aren’t you gonna ask?” I breathed.“No.” His answer was immediate.“Make the call once you’re ready. We’ll handle the