Chapter 4
Kendrick
Maverick stood staring at me, shaking his head in disbelief the moment he opened the door.
“What the hell is wrong?”
“Nothing is wrong. You clean up pretty good. Maybe I’m shocked.”
With his backhanded compliment, I rubbed my face.
Gone were the beard and mustache. And the shaggy hair.
I’d barely looked at myself in the mirror when the girl had finished with the more fashionable haircut.
Instead of my signature jeans when off the clock, I’d changed into one of the suits Maverick had sent to my condo.
The makeover was all about creating a new persona. A man I doubted I’d recognize, but that was the point. Now I was a ruthless man of means with a merciless reputation.
Rich. Powerful. Influential.
And very, very hungry.
“However, you’re out of your mind,” Maverick said even as he followed me into what would be my new home for days, weeks. “You do know that. This is way out of your league.”
“I’ve always loved to live dangerously.” Dropping my bag and guitar case, I glanced at the open space. “Are you sure you want to give up your new house for an undisclosed timeframe?”
“I own two houses in Miami, one in St. Lucia, and a chalet in the South of France. I think I can find someplace to park my ass and write.”
“Showoff. Nice place you have here.” Maverick lived like the rich and famous, enjoying all the perks of being a megastar.
“It suits me. Now you’ll need to pretend it’s all yours. I assure you the leader of the Privileged will be checking.”
In the days since the decision had been made, my identity had been carefully wiped, replaced with a new persona. Kendrick Stark had ceased to exist. Drake Cavanaugh had taken his place, a man of mystery and money.
I’d done some investigation of my own, finding nothing of use about the secret club. Both the TikTok link and the account had been removed. The Privileged were very thorough.
What I did find through Jackie’s help was a little more information about Reese, including a flight number and information on a rental car that had been subsequently found by the police.
There’d been no sign of violence. She’d also rented a hotel room, which Jackie had gone through, finding nothing to indicate Reese’s plans.
It felt as if I was starting from ground zero.
Which made the situation that much more urgent. Days had passed. Too many days in my opinion, yet planning a covert mission of this nature took some time.
“You just had to bring your damn guitar. Didn’t you?”
Snorting, I stood staring at the ocean. While I had a view from my place atop a wild South Beach bar, there was too much traffic, too much noise for me to sit out on my small balcony and enjoy the view.
This was peaceful, a reminder of why I’d made the crazy decision to move to Miami in the first place. “Don’t rich guys play music?”
He shook his head. “I guess so. Whatever floats your boat.”
The music was the only thing that I’d found could soothe me after difficult cases. And unwanted memories.
“I still don’t know why we couldn’t use my place.”
Maverick laughed. “Because you still live like you’re in college, for fuck’s sake. I’ve been to your place. It’s early Goodwill meets bohemian.”
“It’s not that bad.”
He stopped long enough to glare at me. “Follow me.”
I trailed behind him and into a massive master suite where he threw open double closet doors.
“Your wardrobe. There’s more in the dressers and chest. Everything is new and should fit perfectly.
In the jewelry box on the dresser, you have watches, rings.
Cufflinks. Everything you’ll need to fit in with their crowd. ”
“Wow. Your informant was that specific.” I fingered the various suits. There was no doubt they came straight from an Italian tailor. All my size.
“You bet he was. After I used my charm. Outside in the garage is your choice of a Lamborghini Revuelto and a Ferrari Spider. Don’t get used to them and for fuck’s sake, don’t drive like you normally do.”
He tossed me two key fobs, lifting his eyebrows as he did.
Grinning, I shoved them into my pocket. “Hey, I’m a great driver.”
“Maybe for Montana. Not here in Miami.” He didn’t stop there, heading into the kitchen. “There’s a wine cellar right there and I took the liberty of stocking the pantry and fridge as well as the bar. You should have everything you need.”
I noticed the papers on the island. “Bank accounts, etc.?”
He nodded. “Yep. You’re a very wealthy man.
Just remember your cover. While you’ve been to Miami several times before on business, which is the reason you know the city, with the expansion of business, you’ve recently moved down from New York.
Please tell me you spent some time looking over and memorizing the information I gave you about Drake Cavanaugh. ”
I gave him a dirty look. “What do I look like, some fucking amateur?”
With one eyebrow lifted, he allowed the weight of what I was about to do settle in. “You’re not an undercover officer. You don’t understand what might be required of you.”
“And you were when you became someone else in your previous job?”
His face clouded over. Before answering he jerked out two beers from the fridge.
I was shocked he hadn’t gone for his signature whiskey.
“I started with the police department in Atlanta. I made detective quickly. One day, my captain asked if I would consider going undercover since no one really knew my face. I did.”
“And?”
He took a long pull of his beer. What I’d learned over the years was that the stories and cases that haunted us also challenged our morals. They’d been dark times, scenarios that we all kept locked away. Too personal and too painful to relive.
“Eighteen months of being on the inside, of living an entirely different life in a different world where the rules no longer apply changes a man. There are things I did that I can never talk about. I learned a valuable lesson I’ll take to my grave.
There is a line every man and woman will cross.
When a good man becomes a bad man for the right reason. After that, everything is blurred.”
“I’m not going under for that long.”
Maverick snorted. “Remember what I told you about these people. They are cunning and can smell a cop from a mile away. That’s how they’ve maintained their anonymity for years.
Even if you’re only under for weeks, you will be forced to challenge your moral code.
My question to you is how far are you willing to go? ”
The question was one I’d wrestled with more than once during the last few days of preparations. “As far as necessary.”
Maverick didn’t appear satisfied, but it wasn’t his call.
It was mine.
There were innocent women being tortured and possibly killed by those who considered themselves above the law. They’d soon learn every man had an expiration date.
“New identification that’s ironclad.” He pointed to an envelope. “There’s cash inside, bank and credit cards. Even business cards in case asked about your company. The contact information is live with people prepared to answer the phone and answer emails.”
“Raven Intel has thought of everything.”
Maverick studied me intently as he grabbed a cellphone.
“Don’t take this lightly, Kendrick. If you’re made, it’s likely we won’t be able to assist you in time.
Here’s a burner phone. Now, my informant has agreed to help, but only with an introduction.
Luckily, his father’s company is based out of New York so the connection will seem natural.
And no, I don’t have a clue who his father is.
He’s going to make contact with the man in charge of the club. His name is Lucifer.”
I laughed as I took the phone from him. “As in the devil?”
“You got it. They all have catchy names, which are given when accepted. My contact’s name is Catcher.
I don’t know why he was given that name and I don’t give a shit.
He’ll let you know when the recommendation has been made via text.
After that, there will be a meeting with an appointee sent by Lucifer and don’t take it lightly.
The meeting is a test. If you fail, you won’t be offered a second chance.
At that point, you’ll be on your own. Don’t burn my contact. ”
“I have no intention of it.”
“Make note that Catcher mentioned they employ at least three dozen people if not more. Security. Bouncers. Likely assassins. Just remember, they will be watching you. Your mannerisms. How you handle the girls. You can’t look shocked or disgusted.”
“Yeah, I got it. Big bad dudes hired to keep the riffraff out.”
“You do realize you’ll need to keep the girl, at least until we discover their identities.
Don’t you? I assure you they won’t simply believe your story, so you’ll need to stay in full combat gear.
For how long, I don’t know. From what I heard, there is a money back guarantee, but that would mean the girl failed in her duties. ”
I could tell by the way he was looking at me that meant the failures were disposed of.
His choice of phrasing was as disconcerting as the bullshit I’d agreed to. “Are you suggesting I fuck her hard and often?” My question was crude, but just how far under was I expected to go?
“If that’s what it takes to buy their belief. If you pass test one, there will be at least one more. Those range from being invited to private parties to hunting and capturing other women for them. I’m telling you these fucks are wacked.”
The realization had tickled my brain before, but now I understood pretending to be Drake Cavanaugh would challenge everything I’d been taught not to be. “Fine. Then I’ll do what it takes to remain undercover.”
“You’ll also need to be careful what you tell this girl, but you’ll need to tell her certain truths.”
“I got it, Mav. Stop worrying.”
Maybe I didn’t believe my commitment. He obviously didn’t.