Page 19 of Deadly Hands

“Nikon saved you?”

“Yeah. Negotiated it down. Said I might still be useful.” Corey’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Speaking of useful... word is you’re moving up fast in the organization.Reallyfast.”

Heat crept up Reuben’s neck. “I’m good at what I do.”

“Yeah? And what exactly is that? Besides the obvious.” Corey’s gaze flicked meaningfully toward Nikon’s desk. “Are you sleeping with him?”

“What?” Reuben straightened, anger flaring hot and quick. “You don’t get to ask me that. Not when I’m only here because you-”

“Because I what?” Corey lifted his stump again. “Because, trust me, I’ve paid for that mistake.”

He must have seen something in Reuben’s expression, because Corey quickly raised his good hand in a placating gesture. “Hey, look, I didn’t mean anything by the question. I just... I know you’re gay, and everyone knows Nikon likes men too, so I figured...” He shrugged, trying for casual despite the tension in his shoulders. “You do you, man, it’s cool. I’m not judging. Hell, if anything, I’m glad you found some protection in all this.”

The anger drained away as quickly as it had come. Reuben remembered Andrey’s rage that night, remembered thinking he was next. If Nikon hadn’t intervened...

“I’m sorry.” Reuben’s voice dropped low. “About your hand. About all of it.”

“Yeah, well.” Corey shrugged, a shadow of his old casual manner. “At least you landed on your feet. The way Nikon looks at you...”

The door opened before Reuben could respond. Nikon filled the doorway, his presence immediately commanding the space. Corey straightened, shrinking back against the wall.

“Your information.” Nikon moved to his desk, every motion controlled. “Now.”

Corey’s good hand shook as he pulled out a phone. “There’s a detective, Wallis. He’s been taking payments from the Petrova family, but he’s getting greedy. He’s looking to sell information about your poker rooms to the highest bidder.”

Nikon’s expression didn’t change, but the temperature in the room seemed to drop. “Proof?”

“Pictures. Account numbers. Meeting times.” Corey set the phone on the desk, careful to keep his distance. “He’s meeting potential buyers tomorrow night. The Diamond Room at the Grand Hotel.”

Reuben watched the exchange, noting how Nikon’s fingers drummed once on the desk - a tell he’d only display if he wanted it seen. A test, then. But for whom?

“Reuben.” Nikon’s voice drew his attention. “You’ll attend this meeting. Watch and tell me if the detective is lying.”

Not a request.Corey’s eyes widened slightly, darting between them.

“Yes.” The word came easily now, where once it would have terrified him. “I’ll need to see him first. Get a baseline for his tells.”

“Already arranged. He’ll be at the Emerald Club’s poker room tonight.” Nikon’s lips curved slightly. “A convenient coincidence.”

Nothing was ever coincidence with Nikon. The dinner, Corey’s arrival, the detective - all pieces arranged precisely on the board. The question was, which game were they really playing?

“Can I...” Corey shifted his weight. “Is that all you need from me?”

Nikon studied him for a long moment. “For now. Continue monitoring your old contacts. Report anything unusual.”

“Yes, sir.” Corey hesitated. “About the payment we discussed- “

“Will be handled as agreed.” Nikon’s tone ended the conversation. “You may go.”

Corey left quickly, relief evident in every step. The door sealed shut with a whisper of wood against wood, leaving Reuben alone with Nikon for the first time since their kiss.

“You arranged all of this.” Reuben turned to face him. “The dinner. Corey. The detective.”

“Yes.” Nikon moved closer, his steps measured. “Does that bother you?”

“I don’t know.” Truth felt safer than lies, at least with Nikon. “But why?”

“Because you needed to see.” Another step closer. “What happens to those who betray us. What happens to those who remain loyal.”

---