Page 119 of Gambler's Fallacy

Diamantes.

This man isn’t somebody who keeps up with the higher ups, if he doesn’t recognize me.

“He was there, and I didn’t want to leave a fucking huge bloodstain behind,” the man who’d waved the gun at us grunts. “Maybe we can ransom him. He’s got to have a rich wife or something.”

I would laugh, if it weren’t for this situation we’re in.

I shift uncomfortably in my chair. The ropes dig into my skin, tied far too tightly. Seven is in a chair directly against my back. I curl my fingers to brush against his skin, and I feel Seven’s hand jerk in response.

“Call Valentín Diamante,” I say to the Diamante. “Tell him I want to speak to him.”

The guy startles and glares at me. “What? I’m not bothering him for this.” He looks around the room at the others, and I realize he’s the only Diamante here. This man is operating alone—and he doesn’t necessarily want his gang affiliation known.

In that case, he should have worn a long-sleeved shirt to hide his tattoos, but it’s sweltering hot in this small shack they stashed us in. I’m already sweating through my suit.

“Who hired you?” I ask. “I bet they aren’t paying as much as I’d be able to get you.”

The Diamante goon rolls his eyes. “None of your business.”

Seven hasn’t said a word since begging me to go along with this, which is almost as worrisome as the situation itself.

I wish I could see his face and reassure him that it’s going to be fine.

The truth is, though, that I don’t know for sure if it will be.

“You might not be interested, but I am,” the man with the gun retorts. “I sure as fuck want to know who he is, if he thinks he can get us more cash.”

The third guy tosses an empty water bottle at the gunman’s head. “Shut up, Lars. I’m not risking getting on the wrong side of one of the Spades.”

I let out a surprised laugh. “One of the Spades hired you? Really?”

“No,youshut up,” the gunman says with a scowl. “Why the fuck would you go and tell him anything about who hired us? Now we’re going to have to deal with a goddamn body after all.”

The Diamante makes a frustrated noise. “Who the fuck cares? We deliver the kid, murder the rich guy?—”

I burst out laughing. “Okay, wait, let me guess who it was. I don’t think Leon would have hired outsiders. Obviously it wasn’t Alice or Trent. I know Caleb Spade well enough to know he wouldn’t have done this. There’s his father, Gerard Spade, but he wouldn’t botherwith a kidnapping. I don’t think one of the smaller under families would risk it…” I grin at them. “Earl Spade is really the only credible suspect.”

Judging by their reactions, I got it right on the money.

The gunman exchanges a look with the other two. “And you think you can outbid one of the Spades?” he asks skeptically. “Because if so, I’m listening.”

Seven is trembling at my back. I try to grab his hand again, but his fingers are curled up into tight fists behind him.

“I could,” I say. “Earl Spade is out of money. He’s up to his eyeballs in debt. He doesn’t even own the Roi de Pique anymore. That belongs to his nephew, Caleb Spade.”

Of course, I have no intention of paying any of these men. But I’ll say whatever I need to to get me and Seven out of this situation.

“Nah, he’s giving us a cut of the reward for—” the third man says, and both the Diamante and the gunman immediately yell at him to shut up.

Seven shudders violently behind me, his hands brushing mine, and he finally unclenches his hands and grabs for mine. He’s shaking, and the calm I feel threatens to come undone.

But I have to do what I always tell him and negotiate from a place of power, not a place wrought of anger that they can take advantage of.

“Shut up before we gag you. Do what the boy is doing and keep your mouth shut,” the gunman says.

“How soon is Earl getting here?” I ask, completely ignoring the demand. “Heisshowing up, right? He needs to get Seven for the transfer.”

The Diamante stalks over to me—and slaps me across the face. “We told you to shut up, fucker. You don’t need to know anything.”

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