as Jane's smirk deepened. The silence betwe

her head. "That's not li

d that paralyzed, sinking into the mind befor

tation on control, never showing weakness. But now, this wom

, running a finger along the smooth surface of

twisted. No,

what he was planning-would ta

ght of

asting elongated shadows that flickered against the floor-to-ceiling w

it needs to be," Jane said, sighing. "

enched. Ther

ed more ground. Every hesitation, every

lly, his voice measured. "This... situation gi

ly, the first crack in h

e?" she asked, amuseme

is arms on the desk. "I'm rem

"Oh, Ben. This isn't about winning o

to his palm. She was

ght she

d underest

in the

ched the inside of Ben's study. He sat in his leat

was dangerous, but s

ck. Something that woul

, a text lightin

mething on Jan

. He picked up the

ediately. "You're g

al

"Not just an ex-con. He's worse than I thought. Frau

ingers against th

inued. "Did everything he asked. Even wh

slow breath.

s her w

Alex," Ben said. "

use.

dangerous

into a cold smile.

Reckles

nd club, Collins Laz leaned back in his chair, grinning la

ets, clinking glasses, and the

is neck, his shirt half-unbuttoned

ed, tossing his last stac

tated. "Are you

"Are you worried about me, or

ead through the table. Bu

nd king of the underground gambling world-wat

nounced, pushing the last

om wen

ed his hea

smirked.

revealed

smirk v

sent ice through hi

is mistake hit

Hande said simply. His tone was calm,

though his hands had

eep i

no way

ver let a de

l in th

, Frank swirled his whiskey glas

?" Shadrach asked, voic

ll trusts me. He has no idea

fied. "Then keep going. His

he back of his mind nagged at hi

the thou

ust a word. A

l paid

Laz's

ning table was silent except for

r arthritis making movement stiff. She stu

she sai

d up. "Ye

amily's legacy was built by your father wit

d. But de

ime was r

f he didn

g would f