Page 78 of Beautiful Agony

I look down the street and one of myboevikigives me a nod. They're in position at every exit, ready to go in and do violence to save Freddy if needed. Normally, I don't work with someone I despise to protect someone I love.

But after seeing Lacey make peace with Freddy, I owe it to her that he comes home.

"Wait," Freddy whispers. "By the high stakes tables. Guy in the blue jacket keeps flashing smiles at everyone, like he doesn't have a care in the world."

"Baggy shirt?" I ask.

That's usually the sign of someone who keeps a concealed weapon on them.

"Oh yeah, big time."

"That's a likely candidate," I tell Freddy. "Go exchange that necklace and see if you can sit down next to him."

"Got it," Freddy responds quietly.

I hear Freddy's footsteps approaching what must be the cashier's window. Then comes the jingle of diamonds on chain as he takes out the massive necklace.

"Where'd you get this, Huang?" the cashier asks, voice thin and reedy through my earpiece.

"My sister," Freddy says, following our script perfectly. "That soft-hearted idiot brought me to stay with her husband. Figured I might as well get something out of it to cover what I owe."

Even though what he says is a lie, I can't help feel my blood starting to boil at the way he refers to Lacey as a soft-hearted idiot.

The silence that follows stretches so long I start to think we miscalculated. My hand tightens on my gun, ready to signal my men to move in.

"Well," the cashier finally speaks, "this more than covers your debts. Here's an extra hundred grand. Good luck."

I allow myself a small smile. Kirsan's people are taking the bait. Good. That's step one.

Suddenly, I hear someone calling out towards Freddy. Then, the distinct sound of bodies moving in closer.

"Where do you think you're going, Freddy?" a gruff voice demands.

"Officer Mackland!" Freddy's voice rises an octave. "Just settling up some debts..."

Perfect.

My smile widens. The pieces are falling into place.

"Get out of there," I order into my earpiece. "Make up any excuse."

"I really should get going," Freddy stammers. "I got dinner plans and?—"

"Those plans can wait," Mackland's voice growls through the connection. The menace in his tone makes my jaw clench. "Do you really think we'd just let you walk out of here with a hundred grand in your pocket?"

"No, really, I need to?—”

"I said. Sit. Down." Mackland's voice drops lower. "Or do we need to do this the hard way?"

Freddy's breathing gets faster, more panicked. "Please, I just want to?—”

The sound of a scuffle comes through—flesh hitting flesh, a grunt of pain that must be Freddy. My hand tightens on my gun.

And then, a new voice comes on. One that sends ice flooding my veins.

"Privyet,Vadyusha."

Sayanaa.

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