with money, they might use them for information or more money.”
I smiled and dipped my egg roll in sweet-and-sour sauce. “Only a crazy person would set them up.”
“You got that right. I bloody hell wouldn’t want to cross them. And to what gain?” He scoffed. “I’d never be foolish enough.”
“How is it you can walk out with all that money?”
“I’m the runner. I take some of it to a banker in the light of day, and the rest goes to the fighters. It gives the boss time to legalize everything, that way if someone questions our transaction, they’ve got paperwork showing you sold an item in one of their public auctions. There’s also a receipt in the bag.”
“What if fights were to the death? Would that change your involvement?”
He twirled his glasses on the table and swung his gaze upward. “I don’t know. I suppose it depends on if they were both willing. Anyhow, that’s not the case. And if it were, I’d want a hell of a lot more money. That said, accidents happen. Take care of yourself.”
I got the feeling Flynn didn’t know a damn thing about the inner workings of that organization. But accidents might explain what had happened to the victims. I’d almost lost control and killed my opponent, so I could see how an inexperienced Mage without any control might take it too far. Until I found out what the second job offer was, it was all speculation.
“I’ve got another appointment with them tonight,” I admitted. “Are you working? I can fill you in on some of the details—especially if more money is involved.” I had no intention of filling him in, but I needed to know Flynn’s whereabouts in case Keystone moved in tonight.
“I don’t want to know.” He put on his orange glasses and smiled. “Well, if they cut you from the program, that I want to know.”
“You’re not even curious what happened the other night? How it went? Who won?”
“It’s quite obvious who won, love. When one bag weighs more than the other, I always know.”
I sipped my soda and then finished off the egg roll. “Maybe we should do this at your place next time. I don’t like public places, and my hotel has too many eyeballs in the lobby. Where do you live?”
“Miss White, are you trying to seduce me?”
“I’d rather seduce a tub of chocolate frosting. No offense. Doing this in a restaurant is amateurish. We’re not in a James Bond movie, and if I sit here too long, that Chitah might start to smell a bag full of money and wonder what’s going on.”
“That’s not my concern,” he said with a shrug. “Most people exchange money in public so the receiving party can deliver it to their banker. You should get one of those. You’ll need help.”
I pulled the strap of the bag over my shoulder and stood. “You might change your tune if that Chitah was an off-duty Regulator. Look, I don’t like the idea that someone might cut my throat for what’s in this bag. Until I get a banker, I’d rather do this at night in a private location. Where do you live? We’ll do the next one at your place, and it might be as early as tonight.”
“I’m not at liberty to say.”
Perturbed, I turned to leave.
Flynn seized my wrist and gave me a peevish look. “You’re not thinking about screwing me over, are you?”
I swallowed hard. “I haven’t told a soul about this job.”
“That’s not what I meant.” He tightened his grip. “If I’m out of the picture, you get more money. Am I going to have to sleep with one eye open?”
“Is there a problem?” a man growled.
The hairs on my neck stood on end when I looked over my shoulder at the Chitah, who had left his table to join ours. His eyes locked on Flynn’s grip—God only knew what kind of scent we were putting out.
“I’m fine,” I assured him. “Do I look like someone who can’t take care of herself?”
His nostrils flared as he pulled in my scent, and then his lips twitched. “You remind me of my female. If you need assistance, which I’m certain you don’t, I’m at your service.” He bowed and returned to his seat.
I wrenched my arm free and gave Flynn a scathing look. “That’s why we can’t do this in public anymore. I’m sure you don’t want to be wandering the streets with a bag full of money either.”