Page 36 of Kings Against the World

Does Ozzie know this man?

He waits until we’ve entered the neighboring casino—otherwise known as the Silver Spire—and then he tells me exactly what I’ve deduced.

“You see that guy? His name is Judd. He’s a tail gunner in the Iron Wolves. He’ll be playing in the tournament.”

“You know him?”

“Not well. But he recognized me just like I recognized him.”

“Okay, we’re on your playground. So then, tell me what I should do about Benz.”

“You do nothing. You play innocent. He tries to threaten you again, you tell him you’re just trying to do your job and you don’t know what the fuck he’s talking about. I’ll handle the rest.”

Putting the fate of my entire investigation on Ozzie and his vague promise to “handle the rest” gives me instant anxiety. My natural urge is to protest, disagree, counter what he says, but I swallow that down and exhale a breath instead.

“Fine,” I say reluctantly. “We’ll try things your way. But you better hope it doesn’t crash and burn my investigation.”

“You’re gonna have to learn to trust me, babe.”

He shoots me another one of his crooked, cocky grins, adding a wink for extra effect. The combination succeeds in making my stomach flutter.

I’m reminded of how I’d felt all those weeks ago when we kissed—Ozzie had pulled me toward him like I reallywashis. He’d kissed me so thoroughly that it almost felt real. It was almost like we were a real couple for those few seconds…

Cheeks warm at the memory, I search my mind for a change of subject.

“Just make sure you don’t get too handsy,” I remind him. “The arm over the shoulder is fine… but I’ve noticed how your hand keeps gravitating toward my ass.”

He barks out an unabashed laugh that tells me I’m correct. “It’s not my fault I’m a method actor, babe. You’re gonna have to get used to it.”

At six p.m., I head to the underground casino where the tournament will be held. It’s three floors below the main casino itself. Employee and VIP access only.

The elevator doors part down the middle, and my jaw drops open at the layout in front of me.

The underground casino is possibly more impressive than the one above ground, glittering like a hidden jewel the rest of the city has no clue about. The walls are a deep, velvety sapphire with murals of Aztec symbols and imagery on display. A gigantic golden sun disc makes up the ceiling, casting a soft, gilded haze over the large space.

I step forward, admiring the game tables that take up the center of the casino, presumably where the players will sit through the different rounds of the tournament.

There’s a full-sized bar that’s been designed to match the rest of the casino’s golden Aztec aesthetic, showing off shelves stocked with rare tequilas, smoky mezcals, and crystal decanters filled with other exotic spirits.

Just like with the Déjà Vu club, there’s a dark, moodily lit lounge area where I’m guessing Boone and other high rollers will be able to sit, drink, and smoke cigars to their heart’s content.

“It’s gorg, isn’t it?” asks Sugar suddenly. She’s come down in the elevator after me, stepping off with her mini handbag dangling from her wrist and her heart-shaped sunglasses on her face. She pulls them off as if to admire the underground casino more vividly. “Did you see the stage? All the poles? There’ll belive entertainment in between the rounds. And our costumes! Wait to you see.”

“Costumes?”

“C’mon, I’ll show you!”

She grabs me by the hand and bounces forward like she’s overcome with excitement. She pulls me into the back area of the underground casino, where the high-roller guests, players, and other spectators won’t be able to see.

It’s obvious from the moment we start down a hall lined with doors to a kitchen, a stock room, offices, even some VIP lounges, that Boone and Estrada invested a pretty penny in this facility. Compared to the accommodations at the Déjà Vu club, this is five star deluxe.

Which means they both plan on recouping the costs.

Which means they must have much more planned than just a charitable, albeit illegal, gambling tournament that gives away a cool million dollar cash prize.

I know exactly what some of the other nefarious activities will be—drugs and narcotics, shady business deals,prostitution.

A twinge of heartbreak ebbs inside my chest thinking of all the times he’s gotten away with this.

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