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Sometimes Sawyer Brolin got tired of the game that went with his persona. Not of games in general, but there were days a guy just wasn’t in the mood to be Jabberwock. It was one reason he played the role of one of his own generals for so long—for a change in managerial scenery.
Whispers that someone near the top of his organization was a Fed caused ripples of distrust through his client base. Faking Blake and Reagan’s deaths served two purposes—it took them off the radar of anyone else looking for them, and it told anyone who did business with him that fucking with Jabberwock was a suicide pact.
This meeting was another branch of that damage control. Staying a mysterious name with no face was only effective until people asked if the absentee boss truly had control of his organization.
Jabberwock did. So now he had a face, to prove his grip was as tight as ever. That and it took away a hint of Alice’s power. She no longer knew a secret about him that no one else did.
He sat across from the owner of the casino and restaurant they dined in, his smile and gaze never wavering. One of the client’s security detail stepped aside at the sound of a phone ringing.
The client hadn’t made eye contact in several minutes. “What assurances do we have—?”
“The same you’ve always had. Have you seen any evidence I can’t keep my promises?” Sawyer knew the answer was no.
“We’ll proceed as planned, then,” the casino owner said.
The man who’d taken the phone call returned and whispered in his boss’s ear, and the client finally looked at Sawyer. “The young lady you’ve been looking for is in the casino. She just cashed out her chips and is heading for the elevators. She’s registered in one of our high-roller suites, same floor as you, under the name—”
“Thank you.” Sawyer pushed back from the table. “We’ll continue this conversation later.”
He cut a line to the nearest elevators, sidestepping every person who meandered into his path. Her face flashed through his thoughts, cunning but innocent. A living embodiment of contrast. He stepped into an elevator, grateful to share it with only a few people.
Rumors said she went by Alice now, rather than Reagan. That was one of the few pieces of information he’d been able to acquire since she threatened to dismantle his organization, six months ago.
The lift doors whispered open, and he strolled down the corridor. He rounded the corner, and there she was, back to him, pulling a key from her purse. She’d kept the blonde hair, but it no longer hung halfway down her back. The strands brushed her shoulders now.
She was as irresistible as the last time he saw her, but this time she wasn’t in another man’s arms. Rumors also said she’d left Blake behind. Sawyer was inclined to believe that, since Blake was easier to get a bead on when needed. Sawyer hadn’t gone after the former Hatter because he didn’t want to send Alice further into hiding.
Sawyer wrapped his arms around her waist. She let out a sigh so soft, it might have been part of the climate control. The scent of violets, familiar all these months later, teased him, and he resisted the desire to bury his head against her neck and inhale.
He couldn’t stop himself from gliding his lips along the edge of her ear, though. “The Lion and the Unicorn were fighting for the crown. The Lion chased the Unicorn all around town,” he whispered.
“Lion?” She whirled, not breaking from of his grasp. Her body was soft and yielding against his. “Another name?” She raised a brow, and the corner of her mouth quirked up. “How are you keeping track of them all?”
“You tell me, Alice.”
“I’m glad you were here today.” The way she traced her tongue along her bottom lip sent the blood rushing from his head to his cock, and her smile filled his head with the delicious reminder of her moans when she was turned on. The whimpers she made when she came. Her sweet taste when she ground her pussy against his face.
He pressed closer, until his cock dug into her hip. “You’re not very well hidden if you go places you expect to find me. And fleecing a casino owned by a business acquaintance of mine doesn’t really live up to that threat you made last time we spoke.”
“No. It really doesn’t.” She shifted against him, making him harder.
This was why she haunted his dreams, despite her threats. He dragged his nose up the side of her neck, falling into her scent. “I missed you.” His phone buzzed, and a growl echoed in his skull.
“I can tell. You’re vibrating with excitement,” she said.
Fucking business. He released her and stepped back to read the incoming message. “It’s Queen of Hearts,” he spoke as he read. Alice didn’t need the details, but he wanted to drive home he hadn’t been idle since they last spoke.
“I thought you were the only royalty in your court.” Was that surprise in her voice?
Good. He liked keeping her off-balance. “I’ve tightened ranks, and Dormouse earned a promotion.”
“Ah.” Alice’s shocked tone vanished. “Then we all have new names. What am I calling you?”
“It’s not a secret anymore. I’m Jabberwock.” The message stole his good mood. RoseGarden is spewing its secrets onto the internet. “Fuck.” He looked at Alice. Was this her doing? “Apparently, there’s a virus on one of our servers. Only one. It’s publishing a series of my IP addresses.”
Her wide eyes conveyed more mocking than surprise. “Oh my God. How horrible for you.”
It was her. He bit back the surge of amusement, and leaned in. Never touching her, he traced his mouth along her jaw to her lips. “It’s nothing that can’t be fixed.” A millimeter more, and he’d kiss her. Claim that smug, full mouth. Instead, he slipped a tracking device into her purse. “Until next time.”
He spun on his toe and headed toward the elevator, not turning to see what Alice did next. He dialed Queen.
“Sir?” Her answer was curt.
Jabberwock stepped into the elevator. Glee danced with irritation. Having Alice back would be fun. Costly, until he won her over, but—fucking hell—the chase would be worth it. “Shut it down. Burn every one of those IP’s.”