Page 77 of Diamonds & Deception

“I really fucked up.”

“That’s doubtful. You’ve got the steadiest head on his shoulders out of the four of us,” Nolan says.

“I should have never asked you guys to... to set Nora up like that.”

Understanding washes over them. Surprisingly it’s Ryder who speaks first. “Swear to God, Switz. We kept our eyes glued to the floor. We’d never disrespect you or her.”

“You guys wouldn’t, but I did. She doesn’t know it was you three. How the hell do I ask her for forgiveness for that? She explained why she lied to me. What I did to her doesn’t compare in the least to what she did.”

“I’ve seen the way she looks at you,” Trey says. “Nora’s got it bad for you, despite being a dickhead to her.”

“Gee. Thanks.”

No one says anything for a few minutes. One elephant outed. Nolan outs the other.

“I have eyes on him,” Nolan says, taking a casual sip of his coffee.

“Has he slipped up? Said anything about Lenora?” I ask.

Nolan shakes his head. “My guy isn’t there for conversation.”

“Meaning?” Trey leans forward on his elbows.

“He’s currently working undercover on another case but has crossed paths with Eddie. He has no problem lacing his cocaine.”

“I don’t think I can hear this.” I cover my head with my hands. “I can’t be part of a crime. That’s not me.”

“Your hands will be perfectly clean.”

I lift my head and stare at Nolan. “I don’t want anything tracing back to you either. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if someone else gets hurt because of me.”

“Bullshit, man,” Ryder shouts. “Their murders were not your fault.”

We’ve been over this a few times. I don’t feel like repeating myself. “If Eddie dies, Micky will be on a manhunt. He won’t stop until he finds who’s responsible and kills him. I won’t let you be involved, Nolan.”

“Well, good thing I won’t be. My guy has a hard-on for Eddie. A cokehead, a dealer, and an asshole. The perfect trifecta of douchebaggery that has no place on earth.”

“I won’t—”

“Drake.” Nolan sets his coffee down. “You would do the same for any of us. Hell, you’re doing the same for a woman you supposedly don’t even care about.”

“Which is bullshit. We all know you’re in love,” Ryder says.

“The fucknut doesn’t deserve a place on our planet. We’re doing America a service by getting rid of him.” This from Trey who looks like he’s spent time behind bars and has a chip on his shoulder to go with it.

Ironically, the man has probably never even shoplifted a pack of gum. I take my time making eye contact with each of my best friends. I trust them with my life. I’ve been trusting them with Nora’s life. We’re all equals, but part of me feels like I have a responsibility to them. I’m the one who masterminded this casino, but I wouldn’t have had the courage to make it happen if it wasn’t for them.

If I didn’t have the support, financial backing, manpower, time, and friendship of each of them.

“How risky is it?”

“I’m not giving you the details. In fact, my guy won’t tell me much either. He snorts the powder with Eddie from time to time. Part of his undercover work. He said it’ll be like taking candy from a baby to lace his shit. The when and the where won’t be discussed with me.”

“I don’t know what I can ever do to show how much this means to me.”

Nolan grins. “I do have one favor.”

“Anything.”

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