Page 83 of Wild Ace

“Oh, shit. That’s impressive,” my cousin Gabriel says, and I level him with a glare.

“But dangerous,” Leo adds. “Especially where she is now.”

Lexi is in a Bratva gambling den.

Alone.

And she lied to me about it.

“It makes sense that her phone isn’t giving off a signal. They probably have signal jammers.”

“I don’t give a shit if it makes sense or not,” I seethe. “She has no way of getting help if she needs it. I’m going to get her,” I declare, but Leo puts his hand out to stop me from leaving.

“You can’t just rush in there and get her out, Vin.”

“Why the fuck not?”

“Because it’s Bychkov territory.”

“Since when has that mattered? Do you think I won’t do whatever I need to to ensure her safety?”

“No one’s questioning that, but I’m not letting you go there how you are right now and causing trouble. You said she’s good, and she clearly knows what she’s doing if she knew where to go and walked in there willingly.”

“Leo,” I warn, and he fists my shirt.

“I’m not saying we’re not going there to make sure she makes it out okay. I’m saying we’re not storming in there like she’s been kidnapped. If she doesn’t walk out of there by midnight, then we’ll go in and get her. Okay?”

“Eleven,” I correct, and he nods.

“Fine. Eleven.”

“It’s already ten o’clock, and it’ll be at least a forty-minute drive, so you better go now,” Stefano says. “I’ll stay here and monitor her signal to keep you updated.”

I walk out of the office and back down the hall where the rest of my family looks at me expectantly.

“Sorry, but something came up and we have to go.”

“Is it Lexi? Is she okay?” my mom asks.

“I don’t know. That’s why I have to go.”

“Alright, honey.” She gives me a quick hug, worry etched on her face.

“Sorry to ruin your night, sorellina.” I pull Tessa in for a hug, careful not to squish her still flat stomach where my niece or nephew is growing.

“Don’t worry about it. I have chocolate cake, so I can’t be upset,” she assures me. “Go make sure Lexi is okay.”

I give everyone else a wave of my hand and storm out of there, needing to get to my girl.

“Jesus, Vin, wait for us!” Leo calls after me when I’m halfway out the door.

Chapter 30

Lexi

My poker is a little rusty, but I’ve been holding my own. And aside from the fact that I feel like one of the guys along the wall watching the room is going to pull his gun out at any moment and shoot me or anyone else here, I’ve managed to focus and pick up the tells of those at my table after a few hands.

My own poker face consists of many rolled in one. I like to give false ones at first to lure the other players into thinking they know what hand I have. Like, if I have a bad hand, I scratch my chin, and if I have a good hand, I tap the table. Then I’ll scratch my chin when I have a winning hand and bet it all, making the table think it’s a sure thing they’ll win. But I win, and I keep winning, much to the displeasure of the others at my table.

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