Chapter 59

Mabel, who had been taking the last sip from her glass, caught the cruel glee on my face. Puzzled, she looked around to find what had stolen my attention away for the first time all night.

“Is that . . . ,” she whispered, worried that her voice would carry and direct her father’s crew toward us. “I have to go.”

“Wait,” I said with little enthusiasm as she gathered her things.

She got to her feet and made a quick beeline to the exit, doing exactly what I wanted her to do. Harris caught sight of her and excused himself to trail after her. I took my time retrieving three hundred-dollar bills from my wallet and handing them to our waiter before I joined Evie and her father at the doors

“What are you doing here with him? He’s dangerous. You have no idea what you’ve done—what you’re risking,” he scolded, red-faced and flustered.

“It was one date. I’m a grown woman, and I can make my own choices—”

“Is everything all right?” I slipped into their hushed conversation.

Harris pointed an accusato