Page 112 of The Scarab's Game

I blinked. Surely, I’d misheard him. Stealing? “What?”

“They wanted to appear legitimate by buying it outright, but once they failed, Jayce broke into the storage room and stole it.”

“Jayce? Jayce Monroe?”

She wasn’t even in the Casino.

Noah’s expression hardened. “She’s a thief, and he’s a con man.”

My mind spun, unable to keep up with his changes in topic and ridiculous accusations. I shook my head. “You’re not making any sense.”

“Did Emmett say anything unusual while you were here this evening? Like he was carrying on a conversation with someone other than you, but trying to hide it?”

That was precisely what talking to Emmett during the disc auction was like. My heart leaped into my throat, and I tried to keep my face neutral.

Noah must have seen my reaction, because he pressed on. “That’s why I took my opportunity to leave Reynolds. They’re nothing but a heist crew. All of their”—he made air quotes—“recoveries? Thefts. They’re criminals.”

“That’s not possible,” I whispered. My best friend wasnota thief. This had to be another lie. “Why are you saying all this bullshit?”

Noah’s eyes softened, a hint of sympathy in his voice. “I worked with them for four years. I was Scarlett’s second-in-command. She didn’t love me. She used me for my strategic skills.”

“No.” I held my hands out between us, creating a barrier, as though it would shield me from his words and force him to tell the truth. “You’re lying.”

“Didn’t you wonder why there are so many other Reynolds team members in town, but Emmett is the only one at the auction tonight?”

My stomach sank. Of course, I’d wondered that. I’d even asked Emmett why. Grasping for an argument, I said, “Drew’s in the Casino. Emmett didn’t need him for the auction.”

“I have more proof.” Noah walked to the far wall and opened a hidden panel, revealing an elevator. “Come with me.”

I stood rooted to the spot, my mind a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts. Everything Noah said made a twisted kind of sense. Years of Scarlett’s vague answers about her regular trips overseas. How they could spend twenty thousand euros on my clothes as a business expense. How no one told me Noah was alive.

He pressed the call button, and the elevator’s ancient dial began climbing. “There’s a security desk on the bottom floor where we can review footage. It’ll show you everything.”

I bit my lip, torn between curiosity and caution.You’re smarter than that, Jenn.No matter what Noah says, you need to hear the story from Scarlett or Emmett, not from him.

Noah looked at the ceiling, balling his fists as I hesitated. “For fuck’s sake, Jenn.”

Taking a deep breath, I steeled myself. I didn’t need to figure out if he was trustworthy or not. I just needed to find Emmett. “I’m sorry, Noah, but I can’t go with you.”

Something dark flashed across his face. “I didn’t want to have to do this.” Before I could react, he lunged forward, clamping a hand over my mouth and the other around my waist. “Emmett’s left me no choice.”

Oh god, oh god, please no!

My heart slammed against my ribs as I thrashed and fought, desperate to break free, but Noah’s iron grip crushed me against him. Each attempt to scream died against his palm, swallowedby applause from the auction beyond the walls. My legs flailed wildly, finding nothing but air as he hauled me backward toward the waiting elevator.

Emmett! Dante! Somebody help me!

Please! Anybody!

The elevator chimed its arrival like a death knell, doors sliding open with a whisper, and he hoisted me off my feet.

I kicked my feet up to stop the door from closing, but he pivoted his weight, slamming us into the wall.

The fake wall began to close as the elevator doors slid shut.

It was too late.

Chapter 42

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