I shake my head, quietly laughing until my phone vibrates in my pocket. I retrieve it and find a text from V.
Good news, I found the guys you were looking for. Bad news, they were there with Ace.
Fuck, this just got more complicated than I thought.
I grab my phone and step outside to the balcony, shutting the door behind me. I dial V’s number, and he answers immediately.
“That didn’t take you long.”
“Tell me,” I order.
A shuffling noise comes from his end of the receiver. “Sorry, I was putting Leia down for the night. I traced back the bar’s video feed with the time you gave me. That brunette is smoking, by the way.”
“Not the fucking point, V.”
“Any who…Ace comes into the club about twenty minutes after you left and beelines for the VIP area. They don’t havecameras back there, but I did get them coming out together. The four guys and Ace looked pretty pissed.”
I lean against the balcony railing, my heart pounding with frustration. V’s words hang in the air, fueling my determination to uncover the truth.
“Did you see where they went?” I ask
“I didn’t, man. They headed out to the main lobby, and I lost them in the crowd.”
“Fuck,” I mutter under my breath. “There’s something going on. Those guys drugged Charlotte and Minny, and then Ace shows up. There’s a connection there, and I have no idea why.”
“What about the girl? They seemed more interested in the brunette. Maybe she was their target.”
The thought of Charlotte being in their crosshairs put my teeth on edge. She came here on a whim, or so she said, so how could it be a coordinated attack if no one knew she was coming here? None of this makes sense.
“What’s her name? Maybe I can find something on her.”
I hesitate. Intruding on her privacy is the last thing I want to do, but if it will connect the dots and protect her, I have no other choice.
“She said her name was Charlotte. She’s staying with a friend here for a conference. First name is Minny.”
V’s keyboard clicks in the background. “Not much to go with, but I’ve done more with less. I have access to the hotel’s guest list.” He types quickly. Only the sound of the keyboard comes from his side of the call.
“Got it. Room five-zero-three?”
“That’s the one.”
“The room is registered to a Minerva Casey. There’s a second guest listed. Charlotte Myers. What can you tell me about her?”
“She lives in San Simeon, and she’s divorced. It’s recent. Ex was an abusive bastard.”
“Fucker,” V remarks. “Pulling up California divorce records...” He hums that fucking elevator music again. “One moment, please.” He mimics the voice of an automated call, the sound pissing me off more than the humming.
“Charlotte Myers, maiden name by the way, divorced a Terrance Roberts of Calabasas six months ago.” He types more. Presley’s muffled words come through the receiver. “Helping Thor, baby. I’ll be up to bed soon… Presley says hi.” He pauses, “She does live in San Simeon. Looks like she purchased the place shortly after her divorce.”
“V, find me everything you can on Terrance Roberts,” I demand. “Especially that cocksucker’s address.”
“Looks like he’s got a record. Assault charges, restraining orders...this guy is a piece of work. None of them from her, though. I tried to see the settlement documents for her divorce, but they’re sealed. I could try their attorney’s office, but that will take a bit more time.”
I clench my fists, anger bubbling up within me. How dare he lay a hand on Charlotte? I swear under my breath, vowing to make him pay for what he’s done.
“Find out what you can, V.” I hang up the phone and lean against the balcony railing, my mind swirling with thoughts of revenge. I turn to look at Charlotte’s sleeping form on my bed through the glass. Her innocent face is turned to me while she sleeps. I step back inside the room, quietly shutting the door behind me.
The moonlight spills into the room, casting a soft glow on her features. I approach her with caution as if she might shatter at the slightest touch. Gently, I brush a strand of hair away from her eyes, revealing the vulnerability etched on her face.
